10 great places to fly a kite
It's not just tulips brightening the landscape this time of year. Spring breezes also bring kites dancing across the sky in April, which happens to be National Kite Month. John Barresi, president of the American Kitefliers Association, says harnessing the wind is not only fun, but it also provides a healthy opportunity to enjoy the outdoors: "The activity alone brings a great deal of peace." He shares some favorite kite-flying spots with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
Cesar Chavez Park
Berkeley, Calif.
Barresi got the kiting bug at this 90-acre San Francisco Bayfront park 23 years ago. "This is where I cut my teeth as a kite flier," he says. "It's a grassy field. It's really awesome." Not only does it offer incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island and other landmarks, there are also good winds and even a kite store that sets up in the park during prime flying periods. 800-847-4823; visitberkeley.com
Wildwood Beaches
Wildwood, N.J.
The Jersey Shore is where sport kiting — flying controllable kites with two or more strings — was born. And although the area took a hit from Hurricane Sandy last year, "kiting is alive and well," Barresi says. "It is another perennial kite town." The powdery beaches offer plenty of room for running and flying. The best kite beach is at West Rio Grande and Beach avenues, just south of the convention center. 800-992-9732; wildwoodsnj.com
Clearwater, Fla.
The Tampa Bay Area has an active kite club, Kiting Tampa Bay, and a kite store, which helps make it a great place to fly, Barresi says. "One of the things I enjoy most is a venue that has a pocket of kite fliers." He particularly recommends Sand Key, which is a bit removed from the beach bustle. "It's a really gorgeous location." 877-352-3224; visitstpeteclearwater.com
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Kill Devil Hills, N.C.
The pioneers of aviation knew a good spot for getting aloft. The site of the first flight and nearby Jockey Ridge State Park still offer the consistent breezes that attracted the Wright brothers to the Outer Banks. "The wind there is ideal, if not on the high side," Barresi says. For kite novices, nearby Sanderling resort offers kite-flying lessons in partnership with Kitty Hawk Kites, a popular regional store. 877-629-4386; outerbanks.org
Grand Haven State Park
Grand Haven, Mich.
The Great Lakes offer the same consistent kite-able breezes as the ocean, Barresi says. "It's beautifully smooth, rolling off the lake." The 48-acre Lake Michigan beachfront park hosts a kite festival every May, attracting fliers from across North America. 616-847-1309;michigan.org/property/grand-haven-state-park
South Padre Island, Texas
Wide-open beaches and flats provide plenty of room for kite flying at this Gulf Coast beach locale. Although a spring break favorite, many local kite fliers are older and bring decades of experience. "It's an excellent venue. There's really affordable lodging and a great kite store in town," Barresi says. 800-657-2373; sopadre.com
Long Beach Peninsula, Wash.
American kite flying has deep roots in the windy Pacific Northwest. "This has been one of the kite-flying meccas in the U.S.," Barresi says. Not only is the area home to the American Kite Flying Museum and three kite stores, it also has what Barresi calls "laboratory-grade wind conditions," meaning consistent breezes of 5 to 12 mph. With 28 miles of beach with seasonal drive-on access, it couldn't be easier to send a kite aloft. 360-642-2400; funbeach.com
Ocean City, Md.
This Mid-Atlantic beach town with consistent breezes hosts several kite festivals each year and is home to a notable retailer, Kite Loft. "It's a kite store, not just a place that sells kites. If you go in, they have answers and supplies and will walk out on the beach and help you fly," Barresi says. He also likes the atmosphere, which features a boardwalk, restaurants and entertainment. 800-626-2326; ococean.com
Cleveland
Lake Erie has had a high-flying kiting tradition for more than 30 years, Barresi says. Kite fliers gravitate to Edgewater State Park, where a grass field overlooks the lake and offers a view of the city skyline. "For inland flying, it's about as good as it gets," he says. 800-321-1004; positivelycleveland.com
Santa Monica, Calif.
From the wide-open beach to the colorful crowds to the consistent breezes, it's hard to beat Santa Monica for kite flying. "That's a fantastic beach," Barresi says. In October, local hotel Casa del Mar hosts a kitemaker whose quarter-mile-long Jacob's Ladder kite will be on display. 800-544-5319; santamonica.com