619-722-0092 info@skyfalconry.com

Sky Falconry, Southern California’s premiere federally licensed falconry school, invites you to experience flying trained birds of prey to your glove and learn about one of the world’s oldest hunting traditions in the picturesque settings of San Diego and the mountains of Alpine.


A bucket list must!

falconry lesson | san diego

Basic Falconry Lesson

Put a glove on & free fly a bird of prey. Learn the basics of falconry & its history. Play field games and take photos with a raptor.

hawk walk | san diego

Hawk Walk

Put a glove on & free fly a bird of prey. Take an exciting interactive walk with a hawk. Observe the raptor in its natural habitat. Amazing long flights & more.

hawk walk | san diego

Owl & Falcon Encounter

Put a glove on & free fly a falcon and handle a great horned owl.  Learn about the roles diurnal and nocturnal raptors play in the environment and adaptations each have that set them apart from other birds of prey.

photo hawk walk | san diego

Private Hawk Walk

Due to the popularity of our Hawk Walk we are now offering Private Hawk Walks geared for 2+ participants.  Make this raptor adventure an intimate one with just you and yours.

hawk walk | san diego

Private Raptor Experience

Take a deep dive into falconry. Meet & fly our hawks, falcons and owl. Our most intimate encounter with the world of raptors in their natural habitat, reserved for your private group alone.

WE ARE SKY FALCONRY

We want to thank National Geographic & Photographer Sam Tippetts for their amazing work showcasing Sky Falconry. 

  •   I came down from Orange County with my wife and daughter yesterday, exclusively with the idea of participating in one of their experiences.  It was well worth the drive to and from.  

    Kirk and Denise were informative docents.  I especially appreciate their kind treatment of my elementary school age daughter.  They smoothed over any hesitancy she might have had in handling these beautiful animals simply by their professionalism and attention.  If they didn't make a convert, they definitely solidified a young person's love for animals and care for the environment.  And it was pretty awesome for the adults too.

    Strongly recommended.

    thumb Jason P.
    12/03/2023

      My husband, son and I spent a fantastic morning with Sky Falconry!  The experience was informative, organized and one of a kind.  The site was beautiful and a very nice drive up the mountain.  I would recommend this lesson to anyone interested in doing something special!

    thumb Lloyd K.
    1/23/2023

      This was such a fun and unique date! They are so passionate and you learn so much while being captivated by falconry!

    thumb Erin Elizabeth K.
    1/17/2024
  •   An epic adventure in a wide open part of Alpine.  We did the full raptor and owl add on.   Pay attention to the directions you get or you will have trouble finding it.  

    Very highly recommended, wonderfully knowledgeable handlers, and the birds are in charge.  If they don't feel like doing anything, they don't force them or withhold rewards.

    If you have any curiosity or interest in the wildlife right over our heads, this is the place to go!

    thumb Robert M.
    5/21/2023

      Outstanding experience - a chance to do something so unusual, in stunning countryside with highly engaging hosts. When would you otherwise have the chance to see a falcon swooping right by at ground level at nearly 70 miles an hour? Or have a hawk or falcon land on your outstretched glove? This encounter is so interactive with majestic and beautiful birds. We also added the owl encounter and it was so worth it. Denise and Kirk are also passionate and engaging about educating visitors about the birds, which rounds out one of the most unusual and exhilarating experiences in the whole of California. You need to sign up online but it was a straightforward experience and the drive finishes down an unmade road (you are out in the wilderness even though only two miles away from the edge of town) but that means you get spectacular views as a bonus. Just go!

    thumb Jane B.
    3/27/2023

      This was our second visit to this hidden gem and we were excited for the chance to interact with their Great horned owl and one of their Lanner Falcons in a new offering.

    As with our previous visit two years earlier, Jade and Kirk  do a superb job educating their guests about all birds of prey and today we learned oodles about owls and falcons. Their location about an hour outside San Diego makes for an easy excursion during a visit. Just be sure to carefully follow the Google-maps directions-the last five miles is on a lonely rutted gravel road but just keep on going and you will eventually arrive at their hilltop clearing and small trailer gift shop where you will first need to complete a liability waiver.

    Expect some great pix and be sure to take a couple slo-mo videos!

    A MUST do!

    With a small group size, 6 or so, everyone gets a chance to be up close with these magnificent creatures.

    thumb Jim R.
    12/29/2023
  •   What a great experience!  Very interesting and learned a lot. Denise and Kirk were wonderful- very informative and incredibly personable. You can really tell they care and are passionate about falconry. Well worth the $. Highly recommend this adventure!

    thumb J H.
    1/29/2023

      This is a must do!  We took our daughter for her 19th birthday, and we had such a great time. We learned so much about these amazing birds, we would definitely do it again.  Thank you Denise and Kirk for an amazing time.  You guys rock!

    thumb Indira J.
    10/12/2023

      There are not enough words to adequately describe how amazing this experience is. Two friends and I drove out from different areas for the "Private Raptor Experience" and was it ever an experience! First, you need to know that Denise and Kirk are incredible. They share their knowledge with you and give very clear directions and guidance throughout the entire experience, making it incredibly comfortable and FUN. The other plus is that Denise is an incredible photographer and will use your phone to capture a ton of amazing shots of the experience so you don't even have to worry about that--just focus on the incredible raptors!

    A truly magical time. I can't recommend it enough.

    thumb Sv O.
    12/09/2023
  •   This is a must do if you're in the San Diego area.  The drive was a short 45 minutes from ocean-side and featured a gorgeous view of the city, ocean and mountains on the way up.  Denise and Kirk are welcoming, knowledgable and Kirk was full of great dad puns!  In the most fun way possible, you'll learn about the history and purpose of falconry, about the birds, how to help their population thrive and more.  

    We did the Hawk Walk and I would 100% go back.  Be ready to walk around the gorgeous trails and fly a raptor many, many times.  You might even get to walk with the bird perched on your glove!  It doesn't get old watching the bird soar silently, softly landing on your glove for a snack.  Denise and Kirk confidently set you up for success so you don't feel nervous around the bird.

    I'm still smiling thinking about how fun this experience was!

    thumb Jennifer D.
    11/08/2023

      We did the private hawk experience with Denise and Kirk and it did not disappoint. They were super fun, informative and made sure we had the best time and we did! We will definitely be coming back and would recommend this awesome experience to anyone else who wants to learn or experience these amazing animals up close.

    thumb Sam C.
    2/09/2023

      Really quite amazing experience. Denise and Kirk are excellent hosts. The whole experience was very well organized and structured, with lots of opportunity to interact and to learn. Guides are extremely knowledgeable and also clearly devoted to their birds. Great experience for both adults and a nature-interested 11-year-old.

    thumb Bruce M.
    10/15/2022
  •   Outstanding experience!  We did the private raptor experience and it was totally worth it.  Having the hawks and falcons fly to you was amazing!  Kirk and Denise were the perfect hosts.  Both were so friendly and knowledgeable.  I would highly recommend Sky Falconry.

    thumb Marci J.
    10/23/2023

      Best experience ever. Instead of holiday gifts we wanted a local experience. Living in San Diego my entire life and having explored almost everything, I wasn't expecting this. My husband heard an about Sky Falconry on KPBS and was sold.
    If you love San Diego's back country, raptors and a total hands on experience you'll love this. Great photos too!

    thumb Julie A.
    2/08/2023

      Excellent, informative experience to be up close with these magnificent raptors. Denise and Kirk are extraordinary hosts and very accommodating. They go out of their way to ensure everyone gets to interact with the majestic birds. Lanner falcon was my absolute favorite to watch in flight.
    Thank you Denise and Kirk for an unforgettable time!

    thumb Barb G.
    10/29/2023

Gift Certificates

Give the unique gift of falconry!

Our enriching encounters with birds of prey create memories that will last a lifetime.

Preservation through education

Our mission at Sky Falconry is to educate the public through hands-on experiences free flying birds of prey. We aim to preserve the art of falconry, teach raptor biology and the need for conservation.