Zipline Courses and Treetop Adventures for SoCal Kids

Photo courtesy of Action Tours
Photo courtesy of Action Tours
8/29/20 - By Audrey M

Ziplining is about as socially distanced as an activity can get. If you're raising a kid who loves a good rush of adrenaline, maybe it's time for a family outing in the treetops. Ziplining is a thrilling, exciting, and safe activity that is great for adventurous kids—and their daring parents. We've pulled together several zipline locations that make great day trips or weekend trips from LA; the following treetop tours are currently operating unless otherwise noted.

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Ziplines have minimum and maximum weights, so make sure everyone in your party fits within the limits. The best idea is purchasing or reserving tickets and tour times in advance, as some tour groups top out around 10 participants.

Zipline companies provide gear and helmets, but be sure to go in comfortable shorts or pants (no skirts), closed-toed shoes (sneakers are ideal), tie back long hair, and apply sunscreen first thing. And don’t forget your GoPro!

1. Action Tours Big Bear

41693 Big Bear Blvd Ste A
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
909.866.0390
Action’s zip line tour features nine different lines, as well as a jeep ride and suspension bridge. Weight must be 75–250 pounds. There is no height minimum, but the height maximum is 6’5”.

2. Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour

1 Descanso Canyon Rd
Avalon 90704
800.626.1496
This zipline tour features 5 ziplines, beginning in the hills above Avalon and descending through Descanso Canyon. Tour guides give short history, ecology, and nature presentations at stops between lines. A tour lasts about two hours. Weight requirements are 80–240 pounds (230 for evening/night tours); riders under 80 pounds or aged 5–9 must ride tandem with an adult (max. combined weight 235 pounds, 225 for evening/night tours). See the website for the Zip and Ship package.

Photo courtesy of La Jolla Zip Zoom 

3. La Jolla Zip Zoom

22000 Highway 76
Pauma Valley 92061
760.742.3776
La Jolla Zip Zoom has one of the longest ziplines in California at over 2500 feet. Your ticket gets you a two-hour guided tour, with four lines of varying lengths (all have parallel cables so you can share your experience). Wind will close these lines, but you can zip in the rain here. Riders must be 65–275 pounds, and there is a 48” height minimum.

4. San Diego Zoo's Safari Park Flightline Zip Line

15500 San Pasqual Valley Road
Escondido  92027-7017
619-718-3000 or 1-800-407-9534
This zipline is an add-on ticketed experience at the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park, but be sure to purchase in advance. The Safari Park offers something no other California zip line tour can—it takes you over the park's exotic animals. This tour takes about one hour.

5. Skull Canyon Eco Experiences and Zipline

13540 Temescal Canyon Road
Corona 92883
951.471.0999
This 160-acre park features two zipline courses. The Original Course features six lines, and has a weight requirement of weight 60–250 pounds. The Extreme Course has 5 lines that are higher and longer, and a weight requirement of 100–250 pounds. The Speed Run option features one tandem line—the last in the Extreme Course (100-250 pound weight).

6. SkyPark at Santa's Village

28950 California 18
Skyforest, CA 92385
909.744.9373
SkyPark has a little of everything—a fun zipline for the whole family as well as rock climbing walls, mountain biking, ice skating (in season), archery, a train ride, and other entertainment. There is no specific age restriction on the zipline, but weight limits are 60-250 pounds. The great thing here is you can ride as often as you like!


Photo courtesy of La Jolla Zip Zoom

7. Big Pine Zipline Tours

Note: Big Pine Zipline Tours is currently temporarily closed for maintenance, as of June 1, 2021.

6047 Park Drive
Wrightwood 92397
760.249.9991
Big Pine offers more than just ziplines. There are two different tour options, or you can do both for an all-day experience. There are ziplines, sky bridges, sky stairs, and controlled free falls, as well as short hikes between activities. These tours are quite physical, requiring good health and basic fitness. Minimum age is 10, and zippers must be between 90–250 pounds.

Originally published November 3, 2015

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