Sonoma Wine Country Hot Air Balloon Flights - Daily Departures - Reserve Online

Imagine you are floating serenely above the most beautiful place on earth, the Wine Country. Your Nature Walk in the Sky will begin just after dawn. As you sail gently along the wind's highway, spectacular views will delight you. Among the surprises: the Pacific Coast, San Francisco's Skyline, Redwood Forests, Geyser Mountains, the graceful Russian River and lush rolling vineyards. As your gentle giant dances it's way back to earth, celebrate your high spirited adventure with our Scrumptious Champagne Brunch, served in a quaint cafe or a beautiful winery setting.

What Does it Feel Like?
Hot Air Balloons are unique from all other forms of flight in that there is no sensation of motion or perception of height. Traveling at heights of 500 to 1500 feet, the feeling is one of peace and tranquility as the earth seems to slowly descend and rotate below you. Within moments after lifting off you become at ease while you effortlessly drift over the treetops and float over the Wine Country in gentle, panoramic harmony with nature.

Location:	Sonoma CA
Schedule:	7 days (closed Christmas)

            

Safe Personalized Service:

You are welcome to participate "hands on" with the set-up, inflation and deflation of your hot air balloon. Our uniformed pilots, all FAA certified instructors, are the most qualified professionals in this region, averaging 25 years experience. Our fleet of Cameron Balloons is the newest and safest luxury aircraft available in the world today, featuring secure, high sided, separated compartments designed to comfortably hold no more than 2 to 5 passengers. These state of the art gondolas offer added stability and excellent unobstructed views.

Private parties can also be accommodated in our balloons, which are designed to carry a total of 2, 4-5, 8-10 or 16 passengers

What's Included: The whole experience takes at least 3 to 4 hours with approximately 1 to 1.5 hours of actual flight time. We'll meet at a quaint cafe that's easy to find, located just one hour north of San Francisco, off Hwy. 101. After the flight, we'll return to our gourmet cafe for a champagne brunch. We can also provide a champagne picnic brunch in a beautiful winery setting such as Trentadue or Fetzer Wineries but our favorite location is the Kendall Jackson Wine Center. Brunch location depends on weather and time of year.

            

Sonoma Wine Country Hot Air Balloon Flight
7 days (closed Christmas)

            

What makes Above the Wine Country Ballooning the best choice for your adventure ?

Experience:

Our company is the oldest established ballooning company in Sonoma County. We have flown more passengers in this valley than all the other balloon companies that exist here, combined. This includes other companies that have come and gone.

Our chief pilot, who flies 95% of our guests, has almost 30 years of ballooning experience. He has personally flown close to 20,000 passengers, while maintaining an excellent safety record.

Our experience in this region allows us to choose the best launching locations for the most scenic flights possible. Using a greater variety of launch locations we insure the best possible flight opportunity by adapting to each day's weather conditions. This allows us to take advantage of more flyable days per season than our competitors.

As a commercial carrier, we are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).The PUC regulates all carriers like commercial airlines and bus companies to maintain safety, licensing, insurance and maintenance standards to protect the public.

Our insurance coverage and safety standards far exceed most other balloon-transportation companies. This separation is distinguished with license number with TCP-8588 "B" and not a TCP-XXXX "C", like most other commercial balloon companies.

In addition to these requirements, we are the only balloon company in our region that is in full compliance with the Sonoma County Airport-Risk Management Department. Other balloon companies have not met these stringent requirements.

 

Our Staff :

Our chief pilot personally confirms the weather conditions with a phone call, one hour before meeting time to help you avoid traveling to an ultimately canceled flight. If possible, he will contact you the evening before if the forecast appears unsuitable for flight.

Our well informed reservation and hospitality staff really loves what we do and particularly enjoys introducing you to what will certainly be a wonderful and memorable experience.

Our Ballooning Equipment:

Our fleet of luxury aircraft are not only the newest design but also the safest most comfortable balloons available in the world today. By utilizing high sided compartmentalized gondolas, preferred by insurance carriers, we can optimize the personal space for each passenger. This is also the safest environment available, because it isolates the pilot and fuel tanks from the passengers, allowing no interference with flight operation or passenger contact with hard objects.

Each flying season, to comply with FAA air worthiness regulations, hot air balloons must be fully inspected every 100 hours of use. Our aircraft are inspected every 30 to 50 hours by a specifically licensed balloon repair and inspection facility.

Our balloons are equipped with the unique "smart vent" rapid deflation system, which is essential in terminating momentum during an unlikely high wind landing. Our propane fueled burners are the most powerful available among balloon systems, insuring a rapid response during flight.

Our famous California Trademark "Grapes" Balloon design has been seen on PBS, ESPN as well as national and international television programs.

We are the only Hot Air Balloon touring company in operation that is in full compliance with the Sonoma County Risk Management Department.

Departure Dates:
We fly 7 days a week - Closed Christmas

Departure Point: Sonoma County - North of San Francisco - Kal's Kaffe Mocha is located at 397 Aviation Blvd., just north of Santa Rosa. Take Highway 101 about 3 miles north of Santa Rosa, exit on Airport Blvd. Turn right at the first traffic light- Aviation Blvd. and immediately right again into the parking lot for Kal's.

Directions: From San Francisco: Allow about 1:15 travel time. Find Van Ness Street and turn on to Lombard which will bring you to the Golden Gate Bridge. Santa Rosa is 47 miles north and Airport Blvd. Exit is about three miles farther. You'll take Airport Blvd. exit to the right which will cloverleaf you back over the highway, heading west. Turn right at the first traffic light, Aviation Blvd. Then immediately right again into the first parking lot. Look across the lot to find Kal's Kaffe Mocha. Our van is midnight blue on bottom and white on top

Departure Time:
Estimated 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM. Actual meeting time to be set by Sonoma Thunder.

You must call 24 hours prior to tour date to reconfirm your specific departure time.

Hotel Pickup:
On request basis only at time of reconfirmation, 24 hours prior to tour date. Please inquire about hotel pick up cost.

Discounts:
Discount rate for children (5-17). Seniors no additional discounts.

Payment: You can pay in advance by major credit card; Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover Card.

Weather and Logistics:Even though Northern California offers excellent conditions year-round, there still are circumstances that may prohibit flying. With a confirmation call the morning of and evening prior to the flight meeting time the pilot may provide information that pertains to that morning's flight. Strong Winds, low Fog and rain are possible reasons to cancel. We may be able to find suitable conditions by traveling up to one hour from our meeting point to areas not affected by this weather.

Practical considerations regarding minimum number of four passengers may constitute rescheduling flight dates.

Confirmation & Travel Voucher
For every confirmed booking you will receive an e-mail with a link to your E-Ticket Voucher - when your booking is confirmed. Please present this E-Ticket voucher at the departure location.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations within 72 hours of the tour are charged in full. Cancellations prior to 72 hours are charged a $25 per person administration fee. Groups of 4 or more require 7 days notice to cancel. Holiday bookings require 14 days notice. Under certain circumstances , approved by management, passengers canceling within 72 hours may be rescheduled on a stand by basis.

Your Credit Card will be charged by Sonoma Thunder: Charge will appear as "Sonoma Thunder"

            

Wine Country Balloon Tours

This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date.

Your departure time is between 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM. Actual meeting time to be set by Sonoma Thunder.

Confirmation for this product will be received within 12-24 hours,subject to availability.

Clothing: We recommend comfortable shoes, long pants and an extra layer of warm clothing. Please no flip flops, sandals or shorts. Early mornings in the wine country are cool with warmer temperatures later in the day.

Gratuities and souvenirs are not included.

            

Other Wine Country Adventures:

Other Tour Options:

• Wine Country Tour Sonoma Wine Country Motorcoach Tour Full Day
• Wine Country Muir Woods and Wine Country - Full Day Small Van
• Wine Country Balloon Tour
• Wine Train - Napa Valley
• Wine Country - Bike Tour
• Wine Country - Private Antique Limo Tours
• Choose from 5 Custom and Private Wine Country - VIP SUV Tours

            

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