Kbone 0 #1 October 28, 2004 I am traveling to Northern California and I am interested in what people think about Monterey Bay. A few people have told me that Monterery Bay is a Tandem factory and not very hospitable to experienced jumpers. Is this true? I am interested in Monterey because of the great ocean views but I heard that there are a lot of Farmer McNasties that don't like skydivers. There have been some Lacluster reviews in the dropzone section as well saying the customer service needs improvment. I know some people that went up to Monterey Bay but ended up skydiving at Hollister. I want to try Monterey Bay badly but I would like to hear some good things about the dropzone before going. Thanks, Kbone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dterrick 0 #2 October 28, 2004 My sister lives in the San Fran area and on my last two visits I have jumped Hollister. I made my choice largely because of people I got to know on dropzone.com though I enjoyed the plane as much as the people (coming from C-182 land as I do). Monterey Bay is a beautiful facility but the day I showed up (a Monday) there were not even enough people around to fly their 206 so I didn't get a chance to jump that (or the otter ). For that matter, with no 'people' there I also couldn't evaluate the jumping environment. As for the view, you can "see" pebble beach from Hollister ... of course at 18k you can also see the entire San Francisco peninsula, the Sierras, and the ocean. Honestly.... if I was just in it for the views I'd take a plane or driving tour of the area and let my jumping decision be based on who I'd be jumping with. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before the crews from Byron and Lodi (and other surrounding DZs) also chime in. Enjoy your trip. If you like driving, plan for at least 2 full day trips to explore Skyline drive, Bear Creek Canyon, La Honda and Old LaHonda road etc. This is yet another reason to ask the locals... Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #3 October 28, 2004 I did the bulk of my AFF jumps at Monterey. The winds there are not good for students - much of the afternoon gusts into the upper teens. But I don't think it's inhospitable to fun jumpers, it's just there weren't as many there. An otter load might have 5,6,7 tandems, and just a handful of jumpers. Very friendly, but not too many of them. Hollister, otoh, from the couple weekends worth of time there, has two or three tandems per Kingair load, with a lot of fun jumpers. Lots of people willing to pull me into a RW jump, even at my level. The view at Monterey is great. Or better than that. You should make it out there for a least a try at jumping. If the weather is poor, it's not too far a drive to Hollister. I've never landed out there, but as a student it was rare for me to be among the first to exit where the winds could lead to landing short. Still, the only time I heard or saw someone missing the LZ was a guy that honed in on the wrong windsock and landed on the other side of the runway. You have to really miss to hit a cropfield. Both involve a van ride back from the LZ. Monterey's is from one end of the airport to the other - 3-4mins. Hollister's is closer to 15 minutes - it's close to 10 miles and 400ft higher. Each have a carpeted indoor packing area. Hollister has a next door cafe open till 3; Monterey has only the vending machines within walking distance. Each has a 206 if traffic is low. Here's their classic tandem shot. http://jor.com/current/skydive/M11-W.jpg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kbone 0 #4 October 28, 2004 thanks guys! Say, in the picture you included, (the tandem) it doesn't look like you are any closer to the ocean than if you go to skydive Santa Barbara. Could someone who has been to both verify this? I've only been to SantaBarbara and the view was amazing, the location made it seem like you had 270 degrees of ocean view, like being on an island. Judging by the photo, Monterey looks a bit more inland than I thought, I guess I can forget the beach landings Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #5 October 28, 2004 Well, it's still close enough to the coast that a really bad spot in the wrong place will put you out over the water. It's happened at least once before. I've jumped at Monterey Bay before and it's true that the views are awesome. I was lucky to catch a top RW organizer there the day I visited and get in some 12 - 16 ways, but that was probably 5 years ago. Even further back, I jumped at Hollister when I first visited California because it was the closest to my brother's home. I only had 30 + jumps at the time so they were all solo jumps. The view of the mountains were nice, but I really didn't care much for the van ride back or having to dodge the cow patties on the LZ. The van ride back is more dangerous than jumping out of perfectly good planes. You're sitting on the floor in the back of the van and there's no seat belts. Of course, that was 8 years ago so times may have changed. You want a DZ with great vibes? Look no further than The Parachute Center in Lodi. It's a ways further up north though, but worth the trip. Blue Skies Billy"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #6 October 28, 2004 Monterey Bay does have a very nice view. You will not be landing on the beach, however, unless they are doing a demo. Hollister has by far and away more fun jumpers - only a handful go to Monterey for a myriad of reasons. The view at Hollister is also excellent and you are virtually guaranteed to be on some fun jumps with some of the locals unless you decide you'd like to go solo all day. I'd be very surprised if you showed up and people weren't asking you to be part of their jumps within five-ten minutes. The customer service/care at Hollister IS a step or two above Monterey in my opinion. H-town fun jumpers span the gamut from folks just off student-status to kickass RW and Free Fly folks. The weather at Hollister is a whole lot more cooperative than in Monterey (I lived in Monterey for two and a half years). If you do decide to hit Monterey and it's fogged/stormed in, then call H-town because there's a REALLY good chance they're jumping. I've jumped at both and consider Hollister my home, though I did learn at Monterey and have many jumps there. Hollister gets my vote. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kbone 0 #7 October 28, 2004 Thanks, I've also noticed somthing new on the Monterey Bay website. The Mile High club? http://www.skydivemontereybay.com/MileHigh.html When I first read this, I thought it was a joke but think they are serious! Has anyone actually done this at Monterey? Isn't the twin otter a bit loud and cramped to be doing such an activity? Kind of a cool idea. I've never seen a dropzone market their facility like this! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vdschoor 0 #8 October 28, 2004 He he.. hit all the norcal dropzones Anyways, if I had to choose between Monterey and Hollister, go to Hollister. I agree that Monterey is a beautiful dropzone, but as they said there are not a lot of funjumpers. I can't comment on the fact that they would not be very hospitable to fun jumpers, I haven't run into that. Hollister is a cool place, with a whole bunch of very cool jumpers. I always enjoy going there (and I don't go there enough) and I am planning on going again sometime soon. When are you out here? You should also consider Byron though (I had to say it of course) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #9 October 28, 2004 Shhhh. Ivan! Don't tell him where we are! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #10 October 28, 2004 Byron is pretty cool too...you might even get to meet ChopChop and Plaything if you go up there... Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #11 October 28, 2004 First time I jumped Monterey was the first time I met CHopChop, and we went out of the 206 and landed out in the artichoke fields. I had no problems there, they have very nice planes, but I prefer the forward 206 door over the cargo one they have at Monterey. THere's plenty of room in the Otter, because it doesn't have benches, just a nice wrestling mat floor with seatbelts. Both Monterey and Hollister include a van ride back from their landing areas, but Monterey's is much closer than Hollisters, and you have to set your Cypres every jump at Hollister. If you show up solo and are looking for fun jumpers to jump with, you'll have better luck at Hollister. Also consider the other options, Lodi (very inexpensive), Skydance (try out their new PAC 750), Byron (feel the love). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girlfalldown 0 #12 October 28, 2004 I'd take Hollister over Monterey any day just for the super cool people that jump there. I like the vibe better. -------------- (Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take my posts seriously.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #13 October 28, 2004 I had an awesome time on my visit to Hollister. =) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #14 October 28, 2004 Quote Judging by the photo, Monterey looks a bit more inland than I thought, I guess I can forget the beach landings I believe it's about 3 miles to the shore. The beach directly west has a pretty steep slope and thus a healthy surf zone just off the edge. Popular spot for hangliders. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girlfalldown 0 #15 October 28, 2004 QuoteI had an awesome time on my visit to Hollister. =) Hey there you are! You ditched me Sunday at Chicks Rock after our jump! -------------- (Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take my posts seriously.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmsmith 1 #16 October 29, 2004 So how's the cost of living there in Hollister? I already know that Monterey is out of my reach...not counting a $400k broom closet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfc 1 #17 October 29, 2004 Hollister is better by far, I started jumping in monterey and moved to hollister, been jumping there for a few years now. More fun jumpers, a great manifest and DZO and the king air is super fast. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lovelife22 0 #18 October 29, 2004 QuoteHollister is better by far, I started jumping in monterey and moved to hollister, been jumping there for a few years now. More fun jumpers, a great manifest and DZO and the king air is super fast. HOLLISTER HOLLISTER HOLLISTER!!!! Great people awesome DZO and a rocking manifest chic!! I love it there...my home Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girlfalldown 0 #19 October 29, 2004 QuoteSo how's the cost of living there in Hollister? I already know that Monterey is out of my reach...not counting a $400k broom closet. Can't you just live in your truck at the dropzone like everyone else? -------------- (Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take my posts seriously.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmsmith 1 #20 October 29, 2004 QuoteCan't you just live in your truck at the dropzone like everyone else? I used to sleep in my GQ Unit or Pegasus in the packing area at Antioch when I was too wasted to find my van. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
