I obtained an FAA PPL at Gillespie Field in 2003, i went back last year and hired a plane off the same school, Anglo American Aviation, great school, great location, great atmosphere around the place, i agree with the above, flying the San Diego corridor above Linbergh is something special, also i loved Palm Springs, i haven't ventured as far as the Grand Canyon yet but will do later in the year, i also want to go to Catalina and Big Bear, unfortunatly it won't be as early as March but i will be back!!!