Marco Polo (Toro Ridge)
Carpinteria, CAParagliding and hang gliding weather and wind forecast for Marco Polo (Toro Ridge), California.
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Location
What we look for at Marco Polo (Toro Ridge)
Wind direction
SE (135°) → SW (225°)
The wind must blow from within this arc. Direction is the same for both wings.
Ideal speed
0–8 mph
Ceiling · Paragliding
≤ 19 mph base · gusts ≤ 23
Top of the range for paragliding (any rating). Switch wings up top to compare. Hang gliders hold roughly 10 mph more than paragliders.
Hike-up paraglider launch in a meadow on Toro Ridge above Carpinteria, just over 3/4 mile up an unmarked trail off Toro Canyon Park Road. Santa Barbara pilots cleared it in 2024. The site keeper's page says it works in early-day SE wind through the afternoon switch to SW. A strong SW or a building west wind makes it more advanced, and late in the day it tends to cross a little from the west. It is a light-wind thermal site, and too much wind overpowers the thermals. No speed limit is published for this launch, so the 10 mph ceiling follows the Santa Barbara club's advice that winds above 10 mph are a serious concern; the gust ceiling is our default. There is no permitted landing zone. Pilots top-land or glide out to Padaro Beach, and the Polo Fields are off-limits when horses are there or in polo season. The lower trail crosses private land, so please be discreet. Ask a local pilot for a briefing before your first flight.
Window data compiled from scpa.info, scpa.info, sbsa.info, public site guides and club resources.
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Sign in to contributeAbout Marco Polo (Toro Ridge)
Marco Polo (Toro Ridge) is a paragliding site near Carpinteria, California. The launch faces south at 1,073 feet and works best in SE to SW wind of about 0 to 8 mph. There are 8 more Wonderwind sites within 50 miles, and the closest is Skyport (Santa Barbara, CA), 9 miles away. Read the site guide on scpa.info for rules and access before you fly.
Conditions are an automated estimate from public forecast models, not a go/no-go call. Always check the sky, talk to locals, and fly within your rating. You are responsible for your own safety.