Best of 2000: Best Aerial Tours

Golden State Flying Club
Gillespie Field
1640 North Johnson Avenue,
El Cajon
(619) 449-0611 or
(619) 286-7434

Housed at tiny Gillespie Field, just outside Santee, Golden State offers single-engine plane excursions that buzz San Diego's scenic deserts, mountains, or coastline. Up to three passengers at a time can fly, and whoever's in the copilot seat gets to turn and dip the plane. The pilot supervises, of course, and all are certified flight instructors, as that's one of the other things Golden State does. The cost is $90 per half hour, $152 for the full one-hour tour.