A Picnic Table With A View

Seems like everyone who visits La Jolla wants to find a restaurant with a good view. Certainly there are several of these along Prospect Street, but savvy locals know that the show-stopper vista is up at the Torrey Pines "International" Gliderport (www.flytorrey.com/).

Here, the Cliff Hanger Café (858-452-9858, open daily) serves great made-to-order deli sandwiches, soups, and salads to diners who have an up-close-and-personal view of hang gliders and paragliders taking off over the Pacific. It’s truly a breathtaking sight.

To get there, take North Torrey Pines Road to Torrey Pines Scenic Drive and turn west. The first thing you’ll see is the landmark Salk Institute designed by architect Louis Kahn. As you continue driving towards the water, colorful paragliders and hang gliders floating over the sandstone cliffs will come into view.

Is this really an “international” gliderport? Just listen to the languages spoken by the pilots. They consider La Jolla to be the ultimate destination for their sport.

If you decide to try a tandem flight, you might want to wait and have lunch afterwards.