Montague, CA is right up there for scenery and pure soaring
excitement. Plus you don't have to share it with a lot of other
people. Not the strongest lift, but the best mix of everything. Hard
to beat Reno/Tahoe though for strong lift and non-soaring diversions.

The very best is the Bald Eagle ridge. Not every day. In fact, most of
the time it's just good. But every few years an extraordinary day
comes along... I wouldn't be anywhere else on Earth. In one day you'll
ridge soar at 100 knots plus for stretches of 30 minutes between gaps,
a couple hundred feet off the tree tops; watch spring unfold with each
mile as you make your way south; climb in wave; take a few 10 knot
thermals; dodge a few snow showers; make a deal or two with God to get
you past Snowy Mountain or Kaiser without incident; and watch the
setting sun deepen spring's pastels as you make your way north towards
home in the waning ridge lift. And it's not unusual to meet a bald
eagle or two. Magic.