Santa Monica Flyers

(214 reviews)

0.1 mi

Justin is an incredible flying instructor. I took my discovery flight with him and he was extremely…read morehelpful and polite. Some of the best views of Los Angeles you will ever get. Thanks again, Justin. You guys are awesome.

Had my discovery flight there today with Justin! Was already pretty sure I was going to go after my…read morelicense so I went with the longer two landings intro flight. had a great time, an awesome intro and answered all my questions. Just finished sending my deposit in! They came highly recommended and lived up to it so far!

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Proteus

4.6

(32 reviews)

0.5 mi

Ground school at Proteus has been amazing. This is where my journey begun and I'm happy and blessed…read moreto be part of the arrow club. Special thanks to Jack for giving me the initial tour and showing me how much aviation could be beneficial to my life.

Great flight instructors and programs to learn how to fly. Each instructor supports you and teaches…read moreyou.

N400JW, one of the Proteus Cherokees landing at Santa Monica

Plane, love

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Fouga Magister

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Orbic Air

4.8

(236 reviews)

13.6 mi

Orbic air was an amazing time Great team, great experience…read more Beautiful views and a very informative pilot Thank you all!!

Outstanding views of the Hollywood sign and all the surrounding mansions. Great time with my wife…read more Staff were great from start to finish. Must do when in LA!

Sun just about gone over the horizon.

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Downtown

Corsair Aviation

(52 reviews)

14.0 mi

Took my friend Jason there today for his first lesson and he LOVED IT! Julie was so professional,…read moreanswered all our questions, they had snacks and AC. She was so friendly and made everyone feel at ease. His instructor Henrik was so thorough and helpful and took his time with Jason. The flight was smooth and they bonded so well. Jason can't wait for his next lesson! Parking was plentiful and bathrooms were clean. Prices were great. Tons of merch to buy. THE BEST! Thank you!

Best business great service and great customer service. I would recommend it to everyoneread more

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Moving Thread

(39 reviews)

1.7 mi

I took a 3 hour workshop in 2023 for a beginner sewing project and enjoyed myself. My husband…read morebought me a machine to encourage md and support my new hobby. But I felt so intimated by my new machine. I ticked it away for years but I saw an email for a Moving Thread beginner 4-week workshop. 3 hours each session. Last night was class 1 of 4. My class was six ladies aged from mid 20s to late 60s. One never sewed. Two hand sewed. And two of us used machines 20 and 30 years ago and one lady had a machine and used it but felt intimidated. So we were all pretty nervous about our fledgling sewing skills. But the class was paced perfectly and by the end of our first class we successfully completed beautiful reversible totes! The workshop is $550 and it's a great value: project 1 tote, project 2 zipper pouch, project 3 pants (two classes). Our instructor was warm, friendly, funny, knowledgeable, helpful. My only drawback are the chairs. They're not comfortable for me and my leg felt like it wanted to go numb. No one else seemed uncomfortable so maybe it's just me. I'll try a seat cushion to see if it'll help. I brought my machine with me so I could learn how to use it but my husband actually bought the same Heavy Duty Singer sewing machine provided in the class for student use. All the equipment, accessories, fabric needed is provided by the class. You only need to show up. No good or drink allowed in classroom but water is okay. Be sure to enter the rear entrance let the instructions in your student information email. Because to show up on time. Basically no make classes. So if you sign up be sure you're schedule is free for the specified time period. If you're thinking of taking a quick afternoon class or a full workshop I highly recommend you give Moving Thread a try. The instructor we had last night has her own fashion label and is highly knowledgeable but gave us very easy instructions that us newbies could follow. The was patient with our foibles and created an atmosphere of grace and fun. I look forward to my to rest of classes Eventually I look forward to trying the advanced class offerings too. I've hit my eye on the alterations class.

My daughter has taken a few kids classes and loved them…read more I did the intro to sewing and was so impressed with what I made, having never used a machine previously. We were taught how to make the I item look pretty professional.

Intro to Sewing 4 Week Workshop

Pant Making Workshop

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Happy student!

My First Place

(27 reviews)

1.3 mi

Women-owned & operated

Speaks Spanish

Our daughter started in the Seedling room at MyFirstPlace on 22nd St. when she was just 4 months…read moreold, and we've had a wonderful experience ever since. It's a full Spanish immersion program and they have very flexible options. We opted for full time M-F 8-5:30pm. Maria and her entire team are amazing: communication is clear and prompt, teachers are engaged and caring, and the school is clean, safe, and offers wonderful enrichment activities like soccer, capoeira, and music. We always feel listened to, and the teachers send updates throughout the day. One of my favorite parts of the workday is getting the cutest photos and videos of her and her friends engaged in all sorts of activities like outdoor play or reading books. The biggest testament to the program is our daughter herself. Now 18 months old, she's excited to go to school every morning, happily jumping from my lap into her teachers' arms, and she's calm and happy when we pick her up. Teacher Gabby V. has been incredibly caring and thoughtful. We feel so lucky to have had her help care for our daughter over the past 14 months. She consistently goes out of her way to provide thoughtful, individualized care, whether that means adjusting nap schedules or giving a little extra attention when needed. We couldn't recommend MFP more highly!

We loved MFP for our daughter and it truly was our daughter's first place. They were incredibly…read moreflexible, attentive, and caring for our little one. Being a first time mom, I was nervous to let go and have someone else take care of my daughter. But as I watched her start to get accustomed to the schedule there, I noticed how the staff is educated and friendly. It was emotional for me to watch her learn to be independent at MFP and Maria and Cinthia were very accommodating to helping my daughter transition from homecare to daycare. There's plenty of extracurricular activities dancing, music, soccer, including all the planned crafts to keep her engaged. I always found that they updated ProCare with plenty of updates and pictures to keep me informed of her daily activities. Cinthia, Teacher Karen, Teacher Veronica, Zohra are just some of the friendliest faces who helped take care of her. I also witnessed a very smooth transition between classrooms from the Cherry Room to Olive Room. Cinthia was always available to chat through any of my questions and provided input to best support her. We were so sad to have to leave MFP but primarily did so because of moving (needing to reduce the daycare pickup commute). What was also so sweet was how thoughtful they were to provide her a wonderful experience for both her first birthday at school and her last day. I would recommend MFP!

Little table for group activities

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Dreamland Early Learning Centers

4.1

(37 reviews)

1.5 mi

Update (10/2023): In retaliation for my negative review, the co-founder of this business posted…read morephotos of our registration info that showed our infant son's full name and birthdate without our consent (Yelp thankfully took them down). They also posted images showing my and my wife's full names and our phone numbers and email addresses. I'm shocked they would commit a potential crime out of petulance. Posting our family's private information is a possible misdemeanor under California Penal Code § 653.2 PC (posting harmful information on the internet). They must be in financial trouble to go such egregious means and keep our deposit of slightly over $1,000; and not think about the loss of potential clients from our negative online reviews and how we've told several new parents in west Los Angeles to not even consider this child care provider because of our very poor experience. Again, avoid this place like the plague!

This review is long overdue, but better late than never…read more Due to the pandemic, we were hesitant about starting our daughter in school, but when the time came to enrolled we decided to do our research. We looked into and toured a number of schools around the area. Many were beautiful, with gorgeous classrooms, facilities, and supplies. However, not one of these schools asked about our daughter, her interests, or her progression up to that point. It was extremely off-putting, and felt akin to someone selling us a car; very cold and robotic. When we went to tour Dreamland we were met by Anna, who was incredibly personable and informative. She showed us around and began asking about our daughter. She inquired about her social progress, as well as how far along she was in other subjects. They literally were the only school who actually showed in interest in our daughter rather than our wallet! We were invited back to tour with our daughter, who instantly took to the school as well as the teachers and instructors. It's not the flashiest school, but never judge a book by it's cover. They are open 7:30-5:30 (which is incredible for a working family) and feed the children a breakfast snack and lunch. Tuition is beyond reasonable, especially for everything they provide. We have just concluded Pre-K and will be moving on, but what Dreamland has given to us and our family is immeasurable. We were incredibly lucky to find such a wonderful school, who cares not only about education but the children in general (when we moved to the valley last year we kept our daughter in Dreamland and commuted. That's how amazing this school is!). Everyone was like family. We've made friendships that will endure, and we are indebted to Anna, Yev, Ms. Leticia, Ms. Norma, Ms, Fari, and all of the other wonderful people that make up Dreamland. THANK YOU! We are sad to go, but they've build an incredible educational foundation that we are excited to encourage. I could go on and on about how fabulous this school is, but I encourage you to see for yourself. You will not be disappointed!

Goodbye notebook friends made for my daughter because today was her last day at Dreamland.

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Westside Waldorf School Early Childhood Center - Santa Monica

(4 reviews)

2.1 mi

As a parent of three beautiful girls, I am very selective and intentional about where I leave my…read morechildren. Ideally, I want my kids to always be with me, so finding a school that aligned with my values, one that would support my children, nurture their spirits, see them as individuals, and meet them where they are was AND is essential to me. Westside Waldorf is able to deliver exactly that, for me and for my children. It is an education rooted in nurturing the whole child and their inner spirit, helping that spirit be seen, be held, and be nurtured all while teaching them how to navigate the world through their senses and age-appropriate development. This approach truly makes me feel like I am collaborating with the school in raising my children. In my opinion, this is some of the best education available in Los Angeles, and I would not dream of taking my children anywhere else. My sweet babies thrive in this environment of nature, grounding, and child-centered learning. I am so proud to be a part of this school community, and I highly recommend it.

Our daughter is thriving at Westside Waldorf! She is confident, happy, and free to be herself. The…read moreteachers, the philosophy, and the environment all support the children in a very intimate and loving way. Each child's individual spirit is celebrated and nurtured. The curriculum reflects the natural rhythms of life. We are very grateful to have found this school after a long search.

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105 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Christabella L.

12 years ago

I've taken flight lessons here with Charles Thompson since he started the school. Every year, I watch in amazement, as he grows this unique business by hand from the ground up, and I must say, I am quite impressed. Everybody working there seems to be cheerful, helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable, at the least, everytime I've been there. I have not once had a bad experience flying, or on ground level. Each flying experience is an adventure. It is exhilarating, and I get a bit nervous sometimes, but I am confident in my instructor's (charles') ability to quickly take controls if I feel uneasy. And that makes me feel safe. Flying with santa monica flyers is the most affordable program I have yet to find anywhere in southern california, and is great for first time beginners with no experience in flying whatsoever, or for the certified pilot, wishing to brush up on their practice or rent a plane for a solo flight at an affordable rate. I definitely recommend these guys over the competition (I have flown with other flight schools [before discovering SM Flyers], which always have old, worn out aircraft and cranky pilots); but SM flyers has a fresh approach, with newer models of sports planes that are a joy to fly in, especially when the instructor seems happy to fly with you. Thanks Charles & the SM flyers team! read more

Shalina S.

3 years ago

I don't recommend this school to anyone I don't recommend anyone to apply for a job here. Just recently a friend of mine got hurt at work here at this location, and neither the owner nor anyone from the company bothered to go visit him in ICU. Just found out from the state of California, this school doesn't have workers comp insurance. So many underlying faults in this unprofessional school. There's a chicken in the diaper who is immature at this school and calls himself a VP. He has no qualifications from university in business management but just because he is owners friend's son that is why he is VP. Lmao...please grow some balls and learn to respect people first then you may qualify for a VP otherwise peanut heads like you guys are just fame greedy. This school is a joke. how many CFIs and employees are quitting and have quit. Shame on the unprofessional school ..I strongly don't recommend this school to anyone. This school is the target of lawsuits.dont incest im this school. Come down to San Diego . There's better flight schools here. Santa Monica Flyers is nothing but HELL. Shame on you dear greedy owner. read more

Paul V.

3 years ago

I recently had an intro flight with Efer from Santa Monica Flyers, and I must say it was an incredible experience. Efer is an outstanding flight instructor who provided clear and concise instructions throughout the flight. He was extremely patient with me and answered every question I had, no matter how trivial it may have seemed. Efer's knowledge and expertise in the aviation industry were evident from the moment we started the flight. He made me feel comfortable and confident, which allowed me to enjoy the beautiful scenery and concentrate on learning the basics of flying. Overall, I would highly recommend Efer (and Santa Monica Flyers) to anyone interested in learning to fly or advancing their flying skills. I'm confident that he will provide you with an exceptional flight training experience that you won't forget. I personally was so impressed with Efer's instruction during my intro flight that I have decided to continue my flight training under his guidance in the near future. Thanks, Efer, for an amazing intro flight! read more

Robbie B.

7 years ago

Always being interested in aviation, I found Santa Monica Flyers offers an Intro Flight so someone like me with no experience can see what it is like to fly an airplane. My Instructor Max gave me a detailed but easy to understand briefing on how the airplane works and what controls we were going to use while flying. After going through a pre-flight check, I got to practice some taxiing out to the runway. Then we took off and headed over the ocean near Malibu where I got to control the aircraft. I got to practice left and right turns, climbs, and even approached the runway. The whole experience was awesome. I felt very safe and confident with Max and I am looking forward to my next flight. Anyone who is looking to experience aviation, Santa Monica Flyers is a great place to get first hand experience. Also all the staff were very friendly to me. read more

Peter R.

5 years ago

I have been training in Sportcruisers at SM Flyers for a few weeks now, and could not be more pleased. Before coming here I carefully investigated a number of flight schools in the area, and while I never really expected to go with Santa Monica Flyers, I am thrilled that I did. The staff is helpful, friendly, and the booking system is a breeze. I was also quite concerned with finding a CFI I meshed with, and feel like I really lucked out with Jim McKie. He's fantastic; makes you feel right at ease, and is a great instructor. Every lesson is a real rush that keeps me going until the next one. The proximity to LAX and Bravo airspace can be intimidating, but I figure if you learn to fly here, you'll be able to fly anywhere with confidence. read more

Jeremy C.

11 years ago

I took my introductory flight with Chris, and I have to say it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Not only was he knowledgeable, he was an absolute blast to learn from, and fly with. Besides the amazing aircraft and fantastic instructors, the sight-seeing around Santa Monica Airport is unparalleled. WE SAW A POD OF WHALES!!! Now I'm getting my pilots license and the entire team of instructors that work there are all really helpful. If you ask them a question about flying their eyes light up and they seem genuinely excited to share their aviation knowledge with you. It's clear that these guys love what they do. read more

Terry P.

10 years ago

What a blast! I came to Santa Monica Flyers wanting to earn my Sport Pilot Certificate with no aviation experience. I had no idea there was so much to learn but I was given quality instruction throughout my time as a student pilot. All of the instructors know their stuff and taught me valuable flying skills while making it fun to fly. I never thought I would solo a plane in the short amount of time but my instructors prepped me to fly with confidence. I highly recommend this school for getting your Sport Pilot License. The Sport Cruiser is a great plane to learn in and more fun to fly than a Cessna IMHO. read more

Steven G.

3 years ago

I completed my first flying lesson today at Santa Monica Flyers, under the very excellent and patient guidance of my flight instructor, JJ Daniel. His pre-flight orientation was clear and stress-free, including just enough information about the plane, the controls, and the flight procedures to be helpful, but not overwhelming. The flight itself was great fun. After the instructor did the take-off and gained a cruising altitude, he handed over the flight control to me and allowed me to do a few turns, ascents and descents, before he took over for the landing. All in all, a fun, enjoyable experience! read more

Cameron B.

545

7 years ago

I had my introductory to flight lesson here with Devin and my experience was incredible. I have been super passionate about flying since I was a kid and this was a great way to get started on my passion. The flight itself was so informative and also very fun. I got to fly the plane for a majority of the time and learned a lot. And any questions I had were promptly answered. And after the lesson, Devin helped me figure out how to continue taking lessons and also gave me little tips on how to get ahead. He was so helpful and kind and a great instructor. I can't wait to come back! read more

Akira F.

2 years ago

I had an intro flight in November, and it was truly an unforgettable and impressive experience. Although my flight was almost canceled in the morning due to bad weather, I was from overseas, so rescheduling for another day was nearly impossible. Thanks to the kind staff's help, I was able to take advantage of a break in the weather to make my dream come true. Also special thanks to my instructor, Brandon, provided an excellent pre-flight briefing and allowed me to maneuver the plane for a while. It was an absolutely stunning and memorable experience that I will cherish for!! read more

Dabney ..

7 years ago

When I was searching for flight schools I initially thought it would be difficult to find a good instructor to be paired with. You're spending a lot of time with someone you hope is patient and communicates well. I can't tell you how happy I am that I chose this school. I was paired with Christian and he's fantastic. He has the patience of a saint and does a great job of explaining things so that a 4 year old could understand. As a pilot in training you're always learning, but I can promise you that the staff at Santa Monica Flyers gives you a great foundation to start on. read more

Robbie Z.

4 years ago

I received a flying lesson as a gift at the beginning of 2020. I didn't use it prior to the pandemic, then made the decision to wait until I felt comfortable getting in a cockpit with someone else. Surprisingly - Santa Monica Flyers didn't offer an extension or anything to allow me to purse my intro pilots lesson. I would have expected them to extend due to a global pandemic, especially given the fact that I'd like to actually get my license one day. Horrible taste in the mouth read more

Mahita P.

10 years ago

Hands down the best place to get your sport or private pilot's license. I had a phenomenal experience with SM flyers - especially with instructors Brandon, Mike, AJ, and Chris. Getting my private pilot's license was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life - in large part due to the fantastic staff and their tailored teaching methods. If you've ever been curious about flying I recommend taking an intro class - you won't regret it! read more

Nick G.

13 years ago

Im 15, and I've taken lessons from multiple places, but this place is the best by far! Charlie, the owner, and my instructor, is an incredible teacher. He's able to explain concepts simply and effectively, while also making it an extremely enjoyable experience. They are very professional, and I definitely recommend scheduling an intro lesson with them. Seeing Santa Monica from 3000 feet is an experience you won't want to miss out on! read more

Kristin B.

8 years ago

Love Santa Monica Flyers!! I've been taking lessons for a little over a month now and I love the atmosphere, the planes and the instructors! I work mostly with Darrell but have had a lesson or two with Erfan as well and I would highly recommend either of them! Can't say enough great things about this place! If you are looking to get your pilots license or just an intro flight for the amazing views this is the place to go!! read more

Julian W.

389

7 years ago

Santa Monica Flyers is an awesome flight organization! I live in Washington DC and decided to restart my flight training out here while traveling for business. The scenery is gorgeous and the instructors are highly knowledgeable. The BEST part is that they fly the Pipersport/Czechsport lightsport aircraft. This is THE BEST plane to train in. Definitely my best flying experience! AJ was my CFI and he is incredible! read more

Claudia V.

232

10 years ago

Santa Monica Flyers is incredible!! I have had the biggest fear of flying and thought I could overcome that by going up with one of the instructors (Max) in a small plane. It was the best experience of my life and the instructors are SO friendly, calm, collected and fun. The school also has a great layout with the ability to look out into the garage where beautiful planes are being built. It's pretty neat! read more

Alexander P.

13 years ago

Charlie is the owner and also a flight instructor here. He is knowledgeable and professional, and manages a small but well maintained, (and late model), fleet. The prices are in line with what you expect from an FBO, and scheduling is done online with no hassles. My only complaint is the local weather patterns here, but there is nothing any of us can do about that! read more

Greg B.

11 years ago

I highly recommend Santa Monica Flyers if you are interested in learning to fly. The instructors are fantastic and incredibly knowledgeable. They are great teachers, I have learned so much in the short time I've been flying. They are also personable and flexible when scheduling flight times. I can't wait to get my license and instrument rating. Five stars ! read more

Sophie A.

7 years ago

I've taken a few lessons with Alex so far, spread out over the summer, and he has been really great about working with my busy schedule and letting me learn at my own pace. I am going back to the east coast and the end of the summer, but Alex has been an engaging and patient instructor and I am so glad I chose to take flight lessons with Santa Monica Flyers! read more

Santa Monica Flyers - flightinstruction - Updated August 2026

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(54 reviews)

They have the best staff and instructors, so professional and polite. Very encouraging and helpful…read morestaff. Went from feeling nervous to being relaxed and happy. Happy guests' experience and highly recommend this flying club!

I was looking for a new place to continue my PPL training after moving back from Seattle. The fleet…read moreat SoCal flying club are predominately diamond star da-40, much nicer than the c162s I was flying previously. Since it had been a few months since my last flight and also my first flight in California, I opted for a scenic flight rather than an instructional one. My instructor let me fly the whole time (since I had hours), while he handled comms (wasn't quite ready to embarrass myself in front of the controllers just yet). Our route took us from KEMT past downtown LA, dodger stadium, hollywood sign, KSMO, transited the LAX bravo via LA Special flight rules, KLGB, KFUL, and back. their fleet is well maintained and it was an amazing flight (except I forgot to flair during landing).

Corsair Aviation

(52 reviews)

Best business great service and great customer service. I would recommend it to everyoneread more

CalAir Aviation