Our Hot Air Balloons Flight & Napa Wine Country Tour

Hot Air Balloon & Napa Wine Tour Description

The ultimate thrilling adventure to Napa Valley  combined with a spectacular Hot Air Balloon flight over the Valley. Our Napa Hot Air Balloon flight is unique , breathtaking and exciting! Looking for a birthday or anniversary surprise gift, a special event  or celebration, something unique and memorable for you , your friends or family? This Hot Air Balloon ride will exceed their and your expectations!  Whether you are local or visiting California for business or leisure purposes, this hot air balloon is breathtaking and  highly recommended.

We will pick you up at your hotel in San Francisco or in Napa wine country between 5 and 6 am and head to Napa to meet with our Hot Air Balloon talented team. We will travel for a short amount of time to find the right spot where the pilot will choose to fly the balloon. Our certified Hot Air Balloon pilot  will narrate the spectacular aerial views of Napa Valley and its vineyards, hillsides, rural backroads like the Silverado wine trail , and the mountains overlooking Napa and Sonoma Valleys. You will capture breathtaking views of  Napa Valley  in a unique  way that ground-bound travelers never see!  As your hot air balloon start slowly  taking off , you will hear  the roar of the burners  and then  floats in silence as the hot air balloon will smoothly drift with  the wind .You are now in the sky  like a bird  flying smoothly   above the  majestic valley of Napa.
After this amazing hot air balloon adventure, we will land and take you to a beautiful restaurant within Napa Valley to enjoy your breakfast.  Complementary champagne tasting will be offered after breakfast. (Breakfast & lunch are not included)
We will now start touring and sightseeing Napa Valley hidden and famous wineries including these famous castle wineries overlooking the Valley. We can also visit the wineries you like a la carte within Napa or Sonoma Valley.

We are the only tour operator to:
-Guarantee your tour and hot air balloon flight even with 2 people only!
-we are the only tour company to  offer  you a breathtaking hot air balloon ride on a small basket  of 6 people and not on a large basket as other tour operators do!
-We have been rewarded by hundreds of customers who posted certified reviews about our business in Trip Advisor, Google, Yahoo  and above all  on Ratepopint.com ( the only Certified Tour Reviews company)
-Our pilots and tour guides are certified , professional and  multilingual
-We offer  high quality service in top of the line vehicles for the best price all included
-because we want to exceed your expectations!

For families with or without  kids or all visitors who are not interested wine tasting or don’t want to spend the whole  day tasting wine, here what we can offer:
-Private Sightseeing Tour by 4X4 SUV ,Limousine or luxury Vans to explore all Napa Valley wine growing regions, back roads and beautiful vineyards,
-Visit the majestic  Calistoga Old Faithful Geyser and picture its eruption that occurs every 25 minutes. Calistoga is located north of Napa Valley .
- For families with or without kids, you may consider visiting the Sonoma African Safari on a local Safari jeep that takes  you inside the wild reservation for a 4 hour adventure . ( tickets to the park are not included).

-For shopping lovers, Napa Valley is home to a premium outlet with more than 50 stores  you can’t find in the city. Best quality and more affordable clothes than shopping in the city.

-Visit the Historic Sonoma Plaza , the birthplace of the statehood of California that was founded by the Spanish and then governed by the Mexicans. You can also visit the historic and last mission in California located in Sonoma Downtown. You can also enjoy the charming boutiques and courtyards, sample  olive, complementary  wine, cheese  and even chocolate sampling is available.

-You may also consider visiting  the Giant Redwood Trees in Muir Woods National Park.
-You  may simply stay in the wine country or return to sightseeing Sausalito  and San Francisco with or without a cruise in the Bay.
-Take a bay cruise tour and visit Alcatraz Island
- Enjoy a relaxing day in one of the local hot springs in Napa Valley.
Our  talented and multilingual tour guides will offer you a number of choices and options so make your Hot Air Balloon ride unique and combined with other tours and sites you may be interested in.
Still have  some questions or  a special request, feel free to contact us via email or send us a  Travel Request  

Hot Air Balloon & Napa Country Tours Tour Prices

Hot Air Balloon & Napa Wine Country Tour Itinerary

5.30 AM Early Pick Up

Complementary pick-up from your hotel in San Francisco downtown, Fisherman's Wharf or Sausalito or your favorite pick up location within Marin County , Napa or Sonoma Valley. Other pick-up locations may be available as well.  Today, we will travel from your hotel in San Francisco through the Golden Gate Bridge located in Marin County to Napa Valley driving via the valley of the Moon in Sonoma. After a quick stop at one of the local coffee shops, we will keep  driving to the heart of Napa Valley to meet with our Hot  Air Balloon staff .  We will park our Limousine or SUV at the hotel  where we meet and then leave with the hot air balloon team to  the meeting  point with the hot air balloon Pilot in Napa Valley or anywhere within California wine country. To learn more about the  hot air balloon and how it works, please refer to the additional information with this regard  at the bottom  of this page.

 

6.30 AM Drive through Napa Valley Vineyards

Our Hot Air Balloon tour leader will take about 20 minutes driving through Napa Valley backroads and vineyards to meet with our pilot and his team. They are already preparing your  Hot Air Balloon tour and taking all  required safety  measures to ensure your flight will be safe and smooth. Picture the Hot Air Balloon team as they are inflating the balloon ,attaching the cables and  securing  the  portable (gasoline powered) fan  that pushes  the air into the envelope to inflate. When the envelope is almost filled with cold air, the propane burner is ignited & the air inside is now heated enough for the balloon to rise to an upright position. When the pilot add the required  small amount of additional heat , the balloon will become buoyant and start rising. The inflation usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes before our team get it off the ground.

Why flying so early in morning?

Although we need some wind to fly our hot air balloon we can't fly if there is too much wind either. We fly in the early morning within California wine country because the winds are at their calmest then. Also, a lower ambient temperature means that it is easier to get the balloon off the ground and keep it in the air because we don't have to heat it to such a high temperature. This in turn means we don't use so much gas and can fly for longer time and even fly over other valleys and mountains a way from Napa, when it's possible. This is the best time of the day to watch the sun rise.

What type of clothing should I wear?

Wear  warm layers for a cool morning but not too warm as you will feel the heat of the burner when flying. It might be a good idea to bring a hat of some kind as the heat from the burner flame can sometimes be quite noticeable. Also, you will need a pair of good, sturdy shoes. Please remember to use the restroom before flying. Also, a good camera with extra batteries and an SD card would be a bonus for you.

 

8:00amPicture the pilot landing & deflating the balloon after the flight

Our  Hot Air Balloon travels  4 to 8 MPH with the wind . Speed and landing  will be  determined by the pilot and his staff. Our pilot's first concern is safety. A typical landing spot is clear of crops, livestock, small trees, power lines or other obstructions.  The length of a balloon flight is usually determined by many factors, including the outside temperature and the weight carried-that’s- why our customers are required to provide their weight.  On a cold day, with only one person flying, a longer flight is possible. The Sunny Side flights usually last about an hour.
After landing, it’s recommended that you enjoy and capture the hot air balloon landing while others still flying above you as the   pilot is now deflating his hot air balloon.  After or during your exciting hot-air balloon flight , you will enjoy  complementary  champagne tasting. Afterwards, You can ask your tour guide to drive   you to some charming places in Yountville, Rutherford, St Helena or Calistoga for a breakfast to cherish  the souvenir of this hot air balloon flight  and check out your exciting photos you took during the flight.  Afterward, your professional tour guide will offer you a  wine tasting  sightseeing tour in Napa Valley wine country . You  will visit Napa Valley best wineries   we chose for you or simply go to the wineries you like and have in mind. Our itinerary is flexible and made to fit you travel and wine tasting need and expectations.  You may also ask the tour guide to sightseeing you through back roads and rolling hills of Napa Valley Wine Country, visit Calistoga geyser that erupts every 25 minutes, enjoy a   relaxing time in a hot spring, shopping at Napa Outlet, visit the giant redwoods in Muir Woods national Park or explore Sonoma historic downtown, the birthplace of the statehood of California.

 

12:00 PM Lunch Time

Lunch time may take place anywhere in Napa Valley and its beautiful AVA( wine growing regions).  You may choose to dine with style in Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga, Oakville or in Rutherford wine regions. A picnic within a winery is also available.

 

1:30 PM – 2.30 PM Back to San Francisco

Our Tour Guide will now drive you back to San Francisco after such amazing journey with an optional side trip via Sausalito where you can decide either to stay with us or enjoy Sausalito and leave back to San Francisco via the ferry (tickets are not included). We often choose to make the breathtaking photo stop at Marin Headland overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay area, at the end of the day. The Golden Gate Bridge is San Francisco's most colorful and iconic monument. Thanks to its astonishing giant dimensions, the Golden Gate Bridge becomes the most photographed bridge in the world. These spectacular sweeping views have drawn millions of tourists from all over the world. The Golden Gate Bridge inspired Hollywood most famous movies, such James Bond, in a "View to Kill" and much more.

 

3:00 PM approximately Drop Off

Our tour guide will drive you back to your hotel via the famous Pacific Heights (optional). The Pacific Heights is the most expensive area in San Francisco where some Movie  stars and celebrities live such: Robin Williams, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Don Johnson, Danielle Steele, Nancy Pelosi, Lars Ulrich and more. We may drive by some famous movie locations such the house where Mrs. Doubtfire was filmed.

 

Answers To Your Questions

We can understand how you feel when you fly for the first time. So you want to try ballooning with Golden Horizon Travel but still have some questions? Perhaps you will find the answers here :  

Brief History: Did you know that the  hot air balloon is the oldest successful human-carrying flight technology and is a subset of balloon aircraft? It was back on Nov 21, 1783, in the city  of Paris   few years before the French revolution  broke out when  the first manned flight was made by Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes , in a hot air balloon created by the Montgolfier brothers. 

What is a hot Air Balloon? A hot air balloon consists of a bag called the envelope that is capable of containing heated air. Suspended beneath is the gondola or wicker basket   which carries the passengers and  a source of heat, usually an open flame. The heated air inside the envelope makes it buoyant since it has a lower density than the relatively cold air outside the envelope. Unlike gas balloons, the envelope does not have to be sealed at the bottom since the air near the bottom of the envelope is at the same pressure as the surrounding air. In today's sport balloons the envelope is generally made from nylon fabric and the mouth of the balloon (closest to the burner flame) is made from fire resistant material such as Nomex

What are Hot Air Balloons Made of?
Envelope Rip-stop nylon is the most common material. Polyester, dacron and other fabrics are sometimes used. The lower portions around the opening are usually made from a fire resistant material like Nomex, similar to what race car drivers and firemen wear. It contains approximately 1,500 to 2,000 yards of fabric and more than three miles of thread.
Burner The burner is the power plant of the system. It is fueled by liquid propane carried onboard the balloon and generates up to 20 million BTU's of hot air per hour.
Gondola ~ Basket Woven wicker is used because it is lightweight, flexible and easily repaired.
Fuel System Hot Air Balloons use propane.

How do Hot Air Balloons work?
Hot air rises. The air inside the envelope is heated by the burner. If the air in the envelope is allowed to cool or if the hot air is 'vented' (allowed to escape) from the balloon, the balloon will descend.

What type of clothing should I wear?
Wear something warm as it will probably be cold when we start out. It might be a good idea to bring a hat of some kind as the heat from the burner flame can sometimes be quite noticeable. Also, you will need a pair of good, sturdy shoes.

How long does it take to inflate and deflate the balloon?
Once the envelope has been laid-out and the cables attached to the basket, a portable (gasoline powered) fan pushes air into the envelope. When the envelope is almost filled with cold air, the propane burner is ignited and the air inside is heated enough for the balloon to rise to an upright position. With a small amount of additional heat the balloon will become buoyant. The inflation usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. It takes about the same amount of time to deflate and pack up the balloon after the flight.

How far in advance do I need to book?
If you have a large group or would like to fly on a weekend you may need to book a couple of weeks in advance or even months during the peak seasons (April to November) But some days are busier than others so if you have a date in mind , please let us know asap. 
 
Which season has the best weather for flying?
You can have good or bad days at any time of year, we take it on a day by day basis. But spring and autumn are  typically has more flyable days than the other seasons in our California wine country 

How does a balloon fly?
Hot air balloons fly because hot air rises. Hot air rises because it is less dense than the cooler air around it and so it tends to 'float' on the cooler air. We use a burner to heat the air in the balloon until it is hotter than the air outside the balloon. Once it is, the balloon will rise, carrying us with it. If we were to allow the balloon to cool it would begin do descend as it becomes the same temperature as the outside air. If we were to let some of the hot air out of the balloon the same thing would happen because there would no longer be enough hot air in the balloon to lift us. Gas balloons work on a similar principle except that they use helium gas, which is less dense, and therefore lighter, than air to achieve the same effect.

How high do you fly?
How high we fly depends, (like so many aspects  in ballooning  can change ), on the winds on the day. At different heights there are different wind layers in which the wind has different speeds and directions. On an average flight we go from tree-top level up to top all the surrounding peaks and valleys in our California wine country.  

How much does the balloon cost?
The cost of a balloon varies greatly depending on how big it is. We have three balloons which can carry up to six, nine or sixteen passengers depending on which balloon you are talking about. The largest of the three cost about $105,000, and the other two were about $70,000 and $55,000.

Do you need a license to fly a balloon?
Yes, our pilots have Commercial Pilot Balloon Licenses to operate in  California wine country and Napa Valley.  

How big is a balloon?
There are many different sizes of balloon from small, one person balloons to very large ones that can carry twenty people or more. Sports balloons average between 65,000 and 105,000 cubic feet and carry from three to six people. These balloons when inflated vary in height from eighteen to twenty-seven meters and are between thirteen and eighteen metres in diameter. We have 3 different size balloons, one of 120 000 cubic feet, the 2nd of 180 000 cubic feet and our biggest is 300 000 cubic feet.

Why do you fly so early in the morning?
Although we need some wind to fly the balloon we can't fly if there is too much. We fly in the early morning because the winds are at their calmest then. Also, a lower ambient temperature means that it is easier to get the balloon off the ground and keep it in the air because we don't have to heat it to such a high temperature. This in turn means we don't use so much gas and can fly for longer. And besides, the valley looks so pretty at sunrise.....

How is a balloon inflated?
We begin by laying the basket on it's side and then laying out the envelope, (the balloon bit), and attaching it by very strong wires to the basket. Then we inflate the balloon with cold air using a portable petrol-powered fan. When the envelope is almost completely inflated with cold air we turn on the burners and begin to heat the air inside. This will make the balloon begin to rise to an up-right position. Then we just keep heating the air until it is hot enough to take us up for a ride. If you would like to see some pictures of the inflation click  

What is the balloon made of?
The first panel of the balloon is made of Nomex which is extremely fire-retardant. The material from the 2nd panel up is rip-stop nylon which is coated with polyurethane.

Where are the sandbags?
We don't need sand bags. If we want to go higher we just heat the air in the balloon a bit more. If we want to go down we let the balloon cool or let a bit of hot air out. Gas, (helium), balloons use sandbags.

Why do you still use wicker for the baskets?
Wicker is light in weight, flexible and very strong - and besides, it looks so nice......

How much does the balloon weigh?
This depends on the size of the balloon. Our largest balloon weighs 929 kilos fully fueled.

What type of gas do you use?
LPG - liquid propane gas, the same thing you might use in your gas b-b-q.

Do you fly in the rain?
No. It is not very pleasant to fly in the rain. The rain cools the balloon down, adds a lot of extra weight to the balloon and due to the curved shape of the balloon the water does not drip off, but gathers in the load tapes and runs down the sides and you get covered in a hot dirty shower.

How many people can you carry?
Our largest balloon is licensed to carry up to sixteen passengers plus the pilot but it also has a weight limit, so sometimes we get to the weight limit before we get to the 16 passengers. Our middle size balloon can lift up to eight to nine passengers and our smallest can lift up to five passengers plus the pilot.

What days of the week can I fly?
Any day you like - we operate seven days a week but we are dependent on the weather. We won't fly if the wind is too strong or it is raining.

What time do I need to be there?
We meet about an hour before sunrise. Don't worry, when you book we will let you know the exact time you will need to be where you need to be. Complementary pick up and drop off are offered by Golden Horizon Travel staff. We usually meet with our customers round 6 am.

How long can you fly for?
Pretty much for as long as we have gas to burn. But the later in the day you fly the wind speed usually increases and the more turbulence you get, neither of which you wont. Generally our flights last about an hour.

Can you steer the balloon?
We go where the wind goes, so we have a lot of different launch sites to choose from in   California wine country .Also the wind does go in different directions at different altitudes and so, by ascending and descending, we can take advantage of this to choose a wind direction which is as close to the direction we want as possible.

How cold does it get up there?
Generally it doesn't get much colder 'up there' than what it is on the ground. You don't feel any wind because you are moving at the same speed as the wind. We also find that the burner acts as a pretty good heater. So, please bring a hat to protect your head from the heat as we fly over Napa Valley.

Where do Hot Air Balloons Land?
A Hot Air Balloon travels with the wind; it is not possible to determine an exact landing site before the flight. A pilot's first concern is safety.

A typical landing spot is clear of crops, livestock, small trees, power lines or other obstructions. Whenever possible, permission of the landowner is obtained before landing

 THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING GOLDEN HORIZON TRAVEL.WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS!