Day trips. Full days. Multi-day adventures. Once you have your license, the map opens up.
Long Beach Airport puts you in the middle of some of the best flying in the country. Desert hot springs to the east, coastline to the south, wine country to the north and the Grand Canyon a day trip away. Here are some of the trips our pilots love.
01 /
Short Trips
Half day · there and back
L54
Agua Caliente SpringsKL54 · Anza-Borrego Desert
Fly east over the mountains to the Anza-Borrego Desert and land at Agua Caliente County Park (KL54). Natural hot springs, desert scenery and almost no one around. The springs themselves cost about $3 to enter. Pack a towel, soak, fly home. One of the best-kept secrets in SoCal GA flying.
Distance
~210 nm round trip
Hot springs
~$3 entry
Type
Half-day trip
SDM
San Diego FlyoverBravo transition · Coronado Bridge
Fly south along the coast to San Diego. Request a Bravo transition over KSAN to see the harbour, the aircraft carriers at Naval Base San Diego and the Coronado Bridge from above. Land at one of the smaller fields (KMYF, KSEE, KCRQ) for lunch, or just do the flyover and head home. A classic SoCal cross-country.
Distance
~160 nm round trip
Highlight
Bravo transition, Coronado Bridge
Type
Half-day trip
02 /
Full Day Adventures
Sunrise to sunset
San Luis Obispo + OceanoKSBP · L52 · Lunch + ATVs
Fly up the coast to San Luis Obispo (KSBP) for lunch in one of the best small towns in California. Then hop over to Oceano (L52) where you can rent ATVs and drive on the dunes right next to the runway. SLO has a walkable downtown with excellent restaurants. Bring a group and split the fuel.
Distance
~300 nm round trip
Highlight
Lunch in SLO + ATV dunes at Oceano
Type
Full day
Yosemite / Bay Area / Monterey LoopBig scenic loop · ~750 nm
Fly north along the Central Valley to Yosemite, circle over Half Dome and El Capitan (terrain permitting and with altitude awareness), then continue west to the Bay Area. Fly over the Golden Gate, down the coast past Big Sur and Monterey, and back to Long Beach. This is a long day and requires solid planning, weather awareness and early departure.
Distance
~750 nm loop
Highlight
Yosemite, Golden Gate, Big Sur
Type
Full day (depart early)
03 /
Multi-Day Adventures
Pack a bag
Southwest LoopLake Havasu · Sedona · Grand Canyon · Vegas
The ultimate Southwest road trip, but at 120 knots. Fly east to Lake Havasu (KHII) for a night on the lake. Continue to Sedona (KSEZ) for red rock scenery and a world-class approach. Then up to the Grand Canyon (KGCN) for the aerial tour of a lifetime. Finish in Las Vegas (KVGT, North Las Vegas) before heading home through the desert. Total flight time is roughly 11.9 hours over 3 to 4 days.
Total flight time
~11.9 hours
Duration
3-4 days
Stops
Lake Havasu, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Vegas
Highlight
Grand Canyon aerial tour
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Trip Planning Tips
Before you go
T · 01
Weather first.
Check weather the evening before and morning of. Mountain flying requires extra caution with winds, density altitude and afternoon thermals. Have alternate plans.
T · 02
Weight and balance.
Run W&B for every leg, not just departure. Fuel burn changes your CG. If you are bringing passengers and bags, check that you are within limits for the full trip.
T · 03
TFRs and NOTAMs.
Check temporary flight restrictions and NOTAMs for every airport on your route. SoCal has frequent TFRs for sporting events, VIP movements and military operations.
T · 04
Fuel planning.
Know fuel availability at every planned stop. Some smaller airports have limited hours or self-serve only. Always land with legal reserves plus a comfortable margin.
Go
Earn the license, then use it.
These trips are the payoff for all the training. Once you have your certificate and checkout, the whole Southwest is within reach.
