Eagle Paragliding flies tandem and runs lessons from Elings Park above Santa Barbara — a hill that catches a reliable afternoon thermal coming off the Pacific. Tandem flights last about 20 minutes; multi-day pilot certification courses take you from first ground handling to your first solo.
It is a real sport — not a theme-park experience — and the instructors are serious about safety. Book well ahead in summer. Plan to be in Santa Barbara for at least a couple of days in case the wind is wrong on your scheduled day.