Mussel Rock aka The Dumps

Mussel Rock — locally 'The Dumps' — is a spectacular ridge-soaring site on the northern California coast just south of San Francisco, with sweeping ocean views up and down the coast. It's a proper dynamic ridge site: many terrain features can produce rotor, and a large wind gradient often sets up between the upper cliffs and the lower launches — that gradient is responsible for the blow-back incidents you can see on YouTube, where pilots end up on power lines, in tight neighbourhoods or over the freeway. Rating recommended is P3 (or P2 under supervision).

Launch & conditions

From the parking lot, walk north 400 m to the Walker, Lemmings or Jungle launches.

Getting there & local rules

From I-280 north or south, take Hwy 1 south to Pacifica. Exit at the Manor Drive exit at the bottom of the hill, hard right at the end of the offramp; you'll pass a McDonald's on your left and be on Palmetto Ave. About ½ mile north on Palmetto, turn left onto Westline Dr. Continue about 500 yards, staying left at every fork — you'll end up in the large parking area along the cliffs. If the gate at the far end is open, do not drive onto the dirt area. Landing: same location as launch.

Local rules & hazards

Unrestricted access; P3 rating recommended (or supervised P2). Multiple terrain features can produce rotor. A large wind gradient often forms between the upper cliffs and the lower launches — the cause of most blow-back incidents (into power lines, tight neighbourhoods, or the freeway). Read the club's guidance carefully before flying.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Mussel Rock aka The Dumps, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Mussel Rock aka The Dumps with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.