Balloons

MORNING BALLOON RIDES

Saturday & Sunday ONLY, approximately 1 hour ride
Check-in begins at 6:00am
*Weather permitting

BALLOON RIDES: $350 online ONLY

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to quietly soar above Lake Skinner and the beautiful Temecula Valley wineries & vineyards, feeling as if you’re suspended in air. Hot air balloon rides offer a unique perspective of the scenery below, with flights soaring as high as hundreds of feet into the sky.

 *All balloon rides are subject to cancel due to weather conditions

MORNING BALLOON LAUNCH

Saturday & Sunday ONLY, approximately 6am – 8am

Watch the spectacular site of over 50 hot air balloons lift-off from within the festival grounds.

EARLY MORNING FESTIVAL ADMISSION 6am – 8am: $40

*All balloon launches are subject to cancel or relocate due to weather conditions

No refunds if Balloon Launch is canceled or relocated due to weather conditions.

MORNING BALLOON TETHERS

Saturday & Sunday ONLY, approximately 7am-9am
Check-in begins at 6:00am
*Weather permitting

TETHERED RIDES: $60 Tickets at the gate on a first come / first serve basis. Space is limited.

A BALLOON TETHER is a hot air balloon that is anchored to the ground with special ropes that only allow it to rise to a low altitude of 50 – 75 ft, where it hovers briefly with its passengers and then slowly descends. Because the balloon is secured to the ground, it does not float away with the wind, as it does in normal flight. A balloon tether ride is a great way to introduce the hot air balloon flight experience.

Hot air balloon tether rides will start at 7:00 am, and will operate for approximately 2 hours, weather permitting. For insurance purposes, each passenger will be required to sign a Release of Liability Waiver when they check in for the balloon tether ride. Arriving early is recommended, as the hot air balloon tether rides are very popular! Not recommended for children under the age of 4.

* All tethered rides are subject to cancel due to weather conditions

BALLOON FAQs

Unfortunately, Mother Nature does not always provide safe weather conditions for hot air balloon operations. Our balloon meister in conjunction with the local fire department are trained and qualified to evaluate the weather forecast and current conditions and decide if it is safe to operate the balloons. As much as we hate to disappoint the public, our first priority is the safety of our guests and pilots and crew. We will notify you via public announcement if we need to cancel the balloon portion of the event. NO REFUNDS, NO EXCHANGES

Winds are generally calm and stable the first hours after sunrise. Ideal winds for hot air ballooning are three to six miles per hour. Wind conditions in the Temecula Valley allow for balloons to fly only at sunrise.

Average flight altitude is from tree top level to 3,000 feet. The flight plan depends upon wind velocity and direction.

The balloon is fueled by propane, which burns clean and is easy to obtain.
Balloons operate through the basic principles of gravity and heat transfer. As air inside the balloon is heated, it rises. As the air inside the balloon cools, it descends. To make the balloon fly, an inflator fan fills it with air, which is then heated.
A balloon is carried by the wind, and thus moves at the speed of the winds.
Winds determine a balloon’s direction. Balloonists can steer a balloon to a limited extent, by adjusting the balloon’s altitude to make use of different wind speeds and directions.
The morning balloon launch will begin (weather permitting) at 6:30 am. Gates open at 6:00 am for the general public. After the first balloons take off, they will then set up for free Tethered Balloon rides that will operate from approximately 7:30 – 9:30 am weather permitting. If you would like to see the balloon glow, plan on arriving earlier in the day to enjoy the festival and then make your way to the wine stage area to enjoy the show at dusk. There are no balloon activities during the middle of the day due to weather conditions.
The attire for ballooning is casual. We take off and land in open fields. To maximize your enjoyment, dress appropriately for the season, using casual active wear and closed sport shoes. Bring a sweater, sweatshirt or jacket. Shorts, open toed and high heeled shoes are not allowed. Due to heat generated by the balloon, a hat is preferable for tall passengers.

Chase crews help the pilot inflate and deflate his/her balloon for each flight. If you are interested in being on a chase crew, you can register here.