Monterey, CA Drone Videographer and Operator

Monterey drone videography

We fly golf and motorsports events, Monterey Car Week, the Monterey Jazz Festival, resorts and hotels, weddings and coastal real estate across Monterey, Carmel and Pebble Beach. For golf, racing and concerts we film recaps, and for larger shows we send live drone feeds to the stream or screens; see live broadcast drones and concert and festival drones.

Monterey Regional Airport and military sites

Monterey Regional Airport has a control tower and controlled airspace over much of the peninsula, so most Monterey and Pacific Grove flights need LAANC or FAA authorization. We also keep clear of the Presidio of Monterey and the Naval Postgraduate School. We check every Monterey location on the FAA sectional, B4UFLY and NOTAMs before quoting, and file LAANC or FAA authorization for any address that needs it.

Pebble Beach and Laguna Seca

Pebble Beach Company does not allow drones on or over its property, including 17-Mile Drive, without its prior written authorization, so golf and Car Week work there is arranged with the company. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca event rules have prohibited drones, and big race weekends can carry a temporary flight restriction, so we fly there only with the organizer's approval. For our broadcast golf work, read the PGA Championship case study.

Marine sanctuary and state parks

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary keeps motorized aircraft, drones included, above 1,000 feet in four coastal zones unless NOAA issues a permit. California State Parks allow drones unless a park has posted an order banning them, and commercial filming in a state park needs a State Parks permit through the California Film Commission, with drone paperwork filed ahead of the shoot. That includes Point Lobos and the other state park units along the coast. California privacy law makes it an invasion of privacy to enter the airspace above someone's land without permission to capture private or family activity, so we keep homes, yards and people who have not agreed to be filmed out of frame.

Credits

the T-Mobile 5G Range Show at the 2024 PGA Championship, the Las Vegas Grand Prix launch party and Charleston hotel fly-throughs for Vive Media.

Related

San Francisco drone videography | Sacramento, CA drone videographer | Lake Tahoe, CA drone videographer | California drone videography | Los Angeles drone videography | Augusta drone videography (headquarters) | Lynchburg, VA drone videography (second location) | Live broadcast drones | Concert and festival drones | All locations

Nearby cities we fly

San Jose, CA drone videographer | Fresno, CA drone videographer | Santa Barbara, CA drone videographer | Palm Springs, CA drone videographer | San Diego, CA drone videographer

FAQs

Do you need FAA approval to fly in Monterey?

It depends on the address. Monterey Regional Airport has a control tower and controlled airspace over much of the peninsula. We check every location on the FAA sectional and B4UFLY before quoting and file LAANC where it is needed.

Can you fly at Pebble Beach?

Only with Pebble Beach Company's prior written authorization. Its rules bar drones on or over its property, including 17-Mile Drive.

Can you fly over Monterey Bay?

Yes, outside NOAA's four overflight zones. Inside them, drones must stay above 1,000 feet unless NOAA issues a permit.

Can you fly at Laguna Seca?

Only with the organizer's approval. Event rules have prohibited drones at the raceway, and race weekends can carry flight restrictions.

What insurance do you carry?

Our standard policy is $10M liability, with optional coverage up to $25M when a venue, league or network requires it. Certificates naming your venue or production are issued before the shoot.

Request a Quote

Tell us the date, location and what you need filmed. Request a Quote or call 706-284-8364.