Silicon Valley Skydiving

This is the first dropzone I've jumped at, which is not in Colorado and does not have the ground coming at you at 6,000 ft AMSL, so I loved the way everything feels so much easier at 0ft AMSL (softer landings, generally feeling like more time in the air).

They do Tandems from 8k, 11k, 15k and 18k--so if you're lucky you can go up to 18k (alright: It's probably more likely to be just over 16k, most of the time.)
I rent equipment and need a pretty large canopy (230 sqft) and they had 2 of them available (a Spectre and a Sabre2). They looked decent and worked great (felt 2 sizes larger than at my dropzone at 6000ft--did I mention that already?!)
The staff, instructors, and generally everyone was absolutely great. They did neglect to mention one of their beer-rules, so I did have to buy a case for everyone at the end of the day. ;-)

Yes, it's unusual that their landing zone is about 7 miles from the airport and therefore you have to be shuttled back to the airport (they have an old limo and a van for that purpose) If you pack your own equipment, I guess that could mean less jumps, because it worked out that we got back to the packing area around the 15 minute call for the next load, each time.
For me it was perfect as their packer made sure that the next 230sqft canopy was ready for me the moment I got back. So I got on every load of the day.

Landing area is huge. I spent the last jump from about 17k just "sightseeing" (mostly on my belly, just enjoying the scenery, not "working on anything") and it was gorgeous.

They said they just got new ownership and are trying to tighten things up more, to make it easier to get more jumps in, in spite of the offsite landing area.

So while this is only the 3rd DZ I've jumped from and I loved all 3 so far, I will definitely come back to this one when next in CA.

The staff here is so friendly and their instructors are very professional. I took my AFF here and they taught me well! The landing area is gigantic, you can't miss it. The wind direction is very consistent and usually pretty light. Right now the field is covered with little purple flowers. The view is great too--you can see the ocean to the east and snow on top of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the west! The only negative thing I have to say is that when the indoor packing room gets crowded, you have to pack outside where there is no shade. Opportunity to work on your tan, I guess!

Having completed the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) course at Skydive Hollister, I highly recommend the drop zone for anybody interested in learning skydiving in a supportive, professional and fun environment. The Hollister crew is highly experienced and instructors have thousands of jumps under their belts, yet somehow they have maintained complete enthusiasm for their jobs and are out to have fun, while educating students in best practices.

I was looking for a drop zone, where I could find a team of highly motivated people, who love their profession and are willing to make me a part of their family. I felt this was essential to provide the best environment for learning skydiving basics and developing skills sets rooted in safety. Skydive Hollister delivered beyond expectations :)

I finished all seven jumps of the AFF course in one weekend, just as I had hoped. My instructor Baxter was extremely professional and made me feel very comfortable throughout the course. Mako, who runs the drop zone, also instructed/jumped with me and I enjoyed learning from experienced skydivers, who were also great teachers. The AFF course is a lot of material to absorb in one weekend and these guys helped me through it all and made it fun! I’ll be forever grateful :)

I loved Skydive Hollister so much, that I made 25 skydives within three weekends; can’t wait to go back after Xmas holidays. Come and say hi, when you see me!

After a disastrous experience with most of the staff @ Skydance trying to obtain my AFF, I moved on to Hollister and have not regretted it since. I spent a weekend in Perris Valley and was really impressed with their attitude and professionalism, and I have to say that Hollister comes very close to that. Their staff is friendly, informative and very safety-conscious. I especially liked working with Mako and Peter (and Nick and Erica and Emilie). My only complaint is they had a Groupon deal going on and wait times were sometimes all day just to board the aircraft (most all of the customers were tandems, of course, so the rest of us were put on hold). I will continue to consider Hollister my main dropzone, despite a recent ankle injury, and will be returning there to continue jumping after it heals. Facilities are great, and the hangars are HUGE... if you get bored you can drop off on one of their MANY sofas and nap out! Wireless internet, a cafe right next door, what more can you ask for in a dropzone?

Hollister Airport, 45 miles south of San Jose is home to best staff and group of fun jumpers in all of California. Skydive Hollister is notorious for their off-site landing area, "420-up" Cypress setting, and short bus ride back to the DZ for all the "special kids". Gear sales include altimeters, eye wear, apparel, and used canopies & containers. You can jump during the week with an appointment, or jump all day on the weekends. While other DZs in the area close early, Skydive Hollister lets you enjoy beautiful sunset loads.

Skydive Hollister takes customer service to the next level. Their staff is skilled, friendly, talented, safe, and fun. You'll find AMAZING cameramen with the skills of skygods, but without the ego and attitude. Frequently on weekends, after a long day of jumping, you will find BBQ and beer (courtesy of first timers = "case of beer"...only the good stuff / no canned beer). Whether you're a first time tandem, AFF student, or experienced fun jumper, there's a place for you at Skydive Hollister.

Skydive Hollister has a PAK, which will take you to 13.5k. The PAK is slower to altitude but descends quickly and can cycle loads just as fast as other planes over a course of a day. The facilities are cozy and spacious, and good music always sets a cool vibe. Wireless internet is available if you ask nicely for the password. Sleeping accommodations include a bunk house, plenty of couches, or you can camp on the lawn. Prices are average for an experience with an above average staff. If blocks of jumps weren't such a big investment, I would call Skydive Hollister home in a heartbeat... but it will always be my home DZ at heart.

skydive hollister is awesome! i did my aff there this last july and have only missed one weekend since my first jump. my aff instructors were the best, and i would highly recommend this dropzone. nice, big, safe landing area, fantastic views all the way from the ocean to the sierras, super fun people, high standard for safety, and great weather- just to name a few things. i love this place!

So there is a mouthy individual claiming experience and knowledge while dropping a few lines lambasting the owner of the dropzone I spend a lot of time at. I am going to go ahead and take this time to point out that, not only is this person a liar, they failed to read the disclaimer about posting claims that can substantiated. Based on the exclusive notions used in the post it is obvious that this BigBear 73 waste of oxygen is obviously either the former owner (I will refer to him by his aptly honorific title 'Worthless') or the only friend that this worthless individual has. This being the worthless individual who needed a police escort from various locations to prevent him from harassing the very people he has been ordered to stay away from. If we want to go on about lousy owners we should consider the hours Worthless spent playing WoW behind his lousy rented mobile trailer while the DZ slowly dissolved into a pool of its own rancidly inept mismanagement. The place did have a king air ... until Worthless ran that into the ground too. The man is toxic ... to himself and everything he has to do with and now he has brought his slime to the internet. So you can forget the unmitigated BS posted by hairy bigbear ... there is no one that comes to this dropzone that is disappointed with the change ... note how many single star reviews there are. I am sure I can find dozens more to add genuine 5 star reviews as well. You will find no positive reviews of Worthless ... as a person or a DZO.
but hey ... why take my word for it ... or his. Check out the DZ for yourself and you will find a well run environment that has thrown out all the trash and caters to skydivers.

I've got around 100 jumps under my belt and have been to 8 different Dropzones. I am proud to call this my home drop zone. The staff is young and charismatic, the funjumpers are a close-nit group of people, and the weather is your best friend. The atmosphere at the dropzone is relaxed and fun and is a great way to spend a day. If you are looking to come in, get your skydive, and leave within 30minutes, this will not happen. If you want to come in, get 4 jumps in, spend 5 hours hanging out, socialize and laugh with the regulars, than this place is great. They have a brand new PAC equiped with Oxygen when Jumping to 18k. Everyone is very kick back and friendly and I continue to jump there 2 weekends out of the month.

Also, I have bought a used complete rig through the dropzone and I couldn't be happier. The staff went out of their way to get everything I needed and have it ready for me within a week.

As a new member of the sport this year, I took my AFF course and have done the majority of my 150+ jumps out at the Hollister DZ.
I must say that I completely disagree with the last review from bigbear73’s.

I have learned much from the current owner and staff of Skydive Hollister regarding the principals, safety, concepts and intricacies involved in the sport of skydiving. The staff is well trained, professional, and passionate about what they do.
Over the last few months, the facility has expanded to include much more space for packing, training, lounging, etc.
There are also many talented and enthusiastic fun jumpers that would consider the Hollister DZ their second home.

If your someone who is looking forward to experiencing your first tandem skydive.
Perhaps you are interested completing the AFF program and becoming a licensed skydiver.
Or, maybe you're that experienced fun jumper looking for a great DZ to call home.

Whatever category you may fit into, the Hollister DZ facility, staff and associated jumpers are the cream of the crop.
That's why you'll see me out there every weekend!

I started jumping at Hollister while it was still under the old owner and the facilities consisted of a couple old trailers and a 206. How things have changed in 14 months: the PAC,no more trailers, several thousand feet of new packing area and tons of up-jumpers. I'm not sure about what all the legal drama with Mako and the previous owner is all about but Mako has done wonders with this place. When I went thru AFF 14 month ago their were very few up-jumpers, now this place is packed with them on the weekends and I have yet to meet anyone with anything negative to say about what Mako has done with the place.
The million FT for a thousand bucks has to be one of the best bargains anywhere, (I do beleive this is the last weekend it is being offered) and while every load may not make it to 15k I have yet to have been on a non weather related load to 12.5k, 14k to 15k is the norm.
Who ever wrote the previous negative review is someone with ulterior motives. The facts speek for themselves as Hollister is growing at a very rapid pace with very happy and content jumpers.

I've dropped in to Hollister time & again and always had a great time and great jumps with these folks. After a jump in Lodi the previous weekend that was a total killjoy I headed on down to Hollister and had an absolute blast. Friendly, down-to-earth staff, nice aircraft, outstanding views at altitude all combined to make this place one of my favorites. Now if I could only get my hometown folks from the Ranch to come on out, I could turn 'em on to this place!

After being frustrated with Monterey Bay Skydive (predominantly a tandem factory!) I decided to venture out into Hollister. My experience was like night and day. The staff actually gave me the impression that they wanted to be there. They answered all my questions and made me feel like I was welcomed. When I arrived and got manifested I was up in the King Air in less than 15 minutes! I finished my AFF levels 4 - 7 in Hollister in roughly 2 weeks. The views are amazing, you can actually see part of the Monterey bay on the ride up. The drop zone is huge. Great for AFF students. It was really the staff that made the place rock. Critter, Adam, Misty, Nate, Brian... they all made me feel welcomed and encouraged. From a business/weather/logistics/atmosphere standpoint Hollister is the place to jump in the central coast. Now I know why I got into skydiving!

My home DZ is skydive monterey bay, and when it is fogged out or cloudy over there, i can always bet that its clear here in hollister. the people are cool (there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rule of course), the place has a small restaurant right next door (closes at 3pm though so get there quick if you're late), and the landing area is wide open with lots of outs. there is usually just the right touch of wind for great landings. like any dz, there are cliques and such... the only thing that sucks is the van/shuttle rides from the landing area. it takes like 10-15 mins and everyone's breath stinks (mine especially, but thats because of the annual garlic festival nearby) and they/I like to breathe on people with their/my mouth open. all in all, good place to jump; good fun. if you are in the area, hit it up.

My home dz is in Hawaii, but I had to come to Hollister to get the training I needed. I love the staff there and the fun jumpers. This is one DZ that offers equal treatment to tandems, AFF students, and fun jumpers. Adam and Kevin were the best instructors that a beginner could ask for. Both are totally laid back and PATIENT!! Ex. my first solo exit, out of the cessna, it took me two tries to let go and both of them stayed with me. AP, thanks for the awesome pictures. Will be back as soon as possible.

Just did my tandem jump there. Everything went quite fast - just in 15 minutes after I signed all the papers I was in plane. People there were really friendly, the weather was pretty good, so I was very implessed. Would also note that the location is very nice to drive from Silicon Valley.

If the beathtaking view, great airplane going at 15000 very fast, good facilities good equipment for rent and nice infraestructure were not enough, they have just the best people ever!!!
I got the best introduction to the DZ by Raff and the other folks and after less than 2 hours hanging around I was felling as a family member!
I definetely will be back there at the first opportunity and indicate to everyone in the world!!!
They also shown a great sense of responsability regarding security and as beeing a foreigner I would not jump if I didn't get all documentation needed and has proved have some experince to them!
Again, great people!!!

The staff is top notch and know what they are talking about. Very friendly to new comers and tandem students. The majority of the time it is crystal clear when other DZs are fogged in, can see halfmoon bay and the sierra nevadas while in freefall. Sunset loads here are AMAZING, i always make sure to get myself on it. The staff is always around and give great tips when just relaxing as the DZ bum. They have all been great mentors for me, and always remember who i am, even though ill be gone for 6 months at a time. Their coaches are great and have helped me tremendously. They really make me feel like they truly WANT me to be a great skydiver, and i always leave this place feeling highly motivated. I really love this DZ and the staff, I can't wait to get back to cali!!!!!

I had way too much fun when I went, I had people go out of their way to come up and introduce themselves to me and invite me on loads. the people are extremely friendly and welcome newcomers with open arms. the bunkhouses are first come first serve and are kept clean, (the shower does have hot water, you just have to know how to turn it on) the hotels and stores are just down the street not too far away. If you dont like big DZ's but would like to jump a turbine, this is definately the place to go.

I just started doing my AFF jumps and the staff is killer. Raff, Cliff, and Adam are the best jump masters. The really work with you and give you a lot of pre jump insruction. Even if they are doing video or a tandem for the next load they never rush through your after jump briefing. They are making me into a killer skydiver.

Even though im at college I still consider Adventure Center Skydiving my home DZ. The staff is by far the friendliest and most easygoing I have ever come across. Aviva, Adam and Cliff you guys are awesome! Even if there is bad weather at other close by DZs there always seems to be clear skies above Hollister. Best people, great weather, breathtaking jumps, Hollister is the way to go!

I started jumping again after some time away from the sport and chose Hollister to jump at for how close it is to where I live (just 45 minutes south of San Jose). What I have found is a great dropzone with really friendly people. It has some of the best scenery that Northern California offers, the Monterey Bay, the coastal range, the Sierras.
Perhaps one of the biggest selling points for me is the great weather. Nothing could ruin my mood more than an hour or two drive to a dropzone that it is too windy or foggy to jump at. At Hollister, if the weather in California is halfway decent, you can bet they are jumping in Hollister. I have never been winded out at Hollister...The weather at the landing area is in a nice little microclimate that keeps jumpers quite happy. I would bet Hollister has the most jumpable days a year of any Northern California dropzone.

There is a comfortable vibe at Hollister. Not a lot of egos or cliques as far as I can see...
It is a great place to jump. Check it out if you're ever in NorCal.

I switched to Hollister as my "home DZ" four years ago when Skydive Monterey Bay drove all the upjumpers away with tandem-factory business practices. (don't you just hate it when DZO's lock the place up once the tandems are done and then drive everone off an hour before sunset?)
Hollister is the exact opposite. They do a great job with tandems, but are also a very up-jumper friendly with a good crowd of 60+ regular jumpers who like to hang out after sunset to drink beer and BBQ. The vibe there is the best that I have ever encountered at a DZ. I've only been weathered-out at hollister one day in the five years that i have jumped there. The King Air is FAST and always goes to 15,000 ft, the highest in the area.
The only issue is that the landing area is a 10-minute van ride away (and at a different elevation). Some people view this as a detractor, but it actually is pretty cool to get a chance to hang out for 10 minutes with your fellow skydivers and get to know them. Even with the van ride, you can still get 9 jumps in a day during the summer months.

Definitely a great place for skydivers of any experience. The staff is superb and all the people friendly and open to help and jump with everyone. The king Air is beautiful and you can get 15k or 18k. The landing area is huge, perfect for students, and if you are more experienced it gives you plenty of room to try something more without fighting for your landing pattern. Closed carpeted repacking area that makes fighting with your ZP a little bit less sweaty. And after skydiving you better stay for BBQs and more .... Come over you're gonna like it ;)

Having just come back off holiday from California, I live in the U.K, I'd just like to take this oppurtunity to say Adventure skydiving center made me feel very welcome & I shall definatly be going back there next year to complete my AFF. Despite the center being off the beaten path, there is a fantastic RV campsite just 5 minutes away, & the instructors make you feel very welcome in their bar once the day is done. Hope this is of some use to somebody, safe skies, Loon

Jumped there for the first time today. Super King Air that can really climb! They put up loads of up-jumpers with only 9 jumpers. Hugh landing area 450' above the airport (set your AADs and alti's accordingly). Cool little muni airport, coffee shop right next to the hanger. Indoor bathrooms at the coffee shop. No shopwers looked like no camping. Limited indoor packing area (~6 people at a time). One nice thing is that you can just leave your credit card with manifest, and they will bill you at the end of the day like a bar tab. People were friendly and I had no problem finding someone to jump with.