Soaring in the San Gabriel mountains, located in the high desert of
Southern California is excellent; ridge, wave, thermal, shear...often
in combination on the same day. The San Gabriel chain runs east-west,
across the prevailing onshore from the south.
Crystal Airport 46CN, zip code 93544, has an FBO, soaring school & a
sailplane repair facility. It's a private airport, but obviously
glider pilots are welcome, & it's OK to fly your power plane in.
Office SCSA (661) 944-1090.
You can buy a near-new house within 50 miles for $100,000. A tract
house in Lake Los Angeles for $50,000. Or live in the country club for
$250,000. I don't know about schools, but the teenagers who serve as
line staff grew up around here & they're alright. George & Robert at
the sailplane repair both have children & can advise on schools.
The flying culture out here is traditional; straight out of 'The Right
Stuff'. Edwards Air Force pilots come out to fly gliders. You'll meet
old guys with 25,000 hours tinkering on their homebuilt racers at
nearby Apple Valley airport, KAPV. You can rent a 7AC Champ to explore
the mountains. There's an aerobatics box; watch world class experts
like Mike Mangold practice routines.
SCSA has fine gliders; DG's & Grobs for rent, including a brand-new
DG-1000.
Los Angeles is only an hour away, if you prefer the city; there are
plenty of major stores out here in the high desert now.
Good luck,
Jim