Pilot Had Robinson spent an afternoon soaring this site that is just east of Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's Beach) in Santa Barbara, CA.  Pilots can ordinarily get over 300' above the ocean if there is a strong SW flow.

Below:  Note that the wind is coming in at a slight angle to the shore ridge.  This causes us the glider to go quite slowly in a westerly direction but HOT in the easterly direction.  You can basically soar here until you can't see anymore - such are the ideal wind conditions.

Below is the view west.  Hendry's Beach - visible in the photo below, is at the end of an inland canyon (with a creek in it) that flows from inland.  The beach has a restaurant called "The Brown Pelican" from where instructor Had Robinson first observed the sport of paragliding in Elings Park - a hill just north of the the beach. 

Another view of the Douglas Preserve - a public area along the ocean for all to enjoy!

A closer view of the restaurant and the access area for the beach.  Unlike most of the United States, California ensures that all people can have access to the ocean and beaches.  There are no private beaches on the California coast.