Learn About Booking, Safety & What to Expect on Your Temecula Balloon Ride
Booking, Pricing & Gift Cards
Check availability and make a reservation online, or contact our office Monday – Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (PT) at 951-699-9987 to reserve your requested flight date. We look forward to flying you soon!
One sunrise flight is offered daily, weather permitting, year round. Meeting times vary throughout the year from 5:30 am in the summer months to 6:30 am in the winter months. Your exact check in time will be confirmed when you make your reservation.
Yes! Gift Cards are available for your gift giving pleasure. Gift cards can be purchased over the telephone with a credit card or purchased securely online. Hot air balloon rides include a one hour flight, traditional champagne toast, and souvenir certificate of flight. Gift Cards are pre-paid tickets that do not expire. They are non-refundable and fully transferable. Gift Cards are not valid on major holidays, holiday weekends and during special events.
Reservationists are available Monday – Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (PT) to answer any questions or to reserve a hot air balloon ride. You can call us at 951-699-9987. Online reservations are always available 24 hours a day.
Grape Escape Balloon Adventures specializes in making every flight feel like a special occasion. To enhance your birthday, anniversary, or proposal, we offer a complimentary celebration banner for your basket. You can also add individually packaged bundtlets from Nothing Bundt Cakes for a nominal charge. Visit our Special Occasions page for more ways to celebrate with us.
Special Services: Tethers, Glows, Advertising & Media
Yes, tethers offer guests the opportunity to take an introductory flight in a hot air balloon that is attached to the ground by long ropes. Tethers must occur first thing in the morning or right after sunset when wind conditions are calm and stable. A hot air balloon “glow” occurs in the evening. The balloon is inflated and sits on the ground. When the burners are ignited the hot air balloon looks like a giant light bulb. Hot air balloon glows make a beautiful backdrop at parties or special events. Please contact our office for a rate quote and details on how you can have a hot air balloon at your next party.
Yes, a hot air balloon is the perfect outdoor flying billboard. Grape Escape Balloon Adventures specializes in customizing an advertising package to meet your company’s individual goals from local to nationwide programs. Some of our current advertisers include Wilson Creek Winery, Pechanga Resort Casino, Europa Village Winery and Toyota. For information regarding how your company can get “in the air” contact our office at 951-699-9987.
Yes, our hot air balloons have been featured on the KTLA morning news, FOX morning news, The History Channel, The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Bachelorette, Millionaire Matchmaker, Parks and Recreation and the movie “The Ugly Truth” and numerous commercials and music videos.
About Your Flight Experience
The actual flight time for a Temecula hot air balloon ride is approximately one hour. The entire hot air balloon experience, including pre-flight preparation, flight and post-flight celebration, may take two and a half to three hours.
Grape Escape Balloon Adventures can accommodate passenger groups of all sizes. The average shared Temecula wine country flight includes 8-16 passengers at one time. If you are looking for something more romantic, we offer private sweetheart flights for two. Private charter flights for other size groups can be arranged by calling us 951-699-9987.
The attire for hot air 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 hot air balloon’s propane burners, a hat is preferable for tall passengers.
A video or camera offers the perfect opportunity to capture the spectacular scenery and memories of your hot air balloon tour. The crew will be available before you take off to take your picture in the basket.
Hot air balloons move slowly through the air and many passengers who are afraid of heights have reported that the flight wasn’t scary at all. Our European designed baskets provide security and scenery with 48 inch high sides, so riders do not feel they could fall out. The movement in the balloon is slight and does not affect persons who suffer from motion sickness.
There is no minimum or maximum age restriction on riding in a hot air balloon. Our only consideration is that passengers need to be 4 feet tall, in good health, be able to stand during the entire flight and climb in and out of the basket.
Safety, Requirements & Weather
We’ve proudly operated in Temecula since 1991, with safety at the heart of everything we do. To meet insurance guidelines, all guests are required to sign a Release of Liability Waiver.
Winds are typically calm and stable during the first hours after sunrise, which is why hot air ballooning in the Temecula Valley operates only at sunrise. As the sun heats the earth’s surface, thermal activity builds and creates stronger, unpredictable winds later in the day. For safe flying, ideal wind speeds are between 3–6 miles per hour. Our meeting times are scheduled to match sunrise for the safest conditions, ranging from 5:30 am in summer to 6:30 am in winter.
A video or camera offers the perfect opportunity to capture the spectacular scenery and There are many things to consider when choosing a company with whom to fly in a hot air balloon. Is the company professional? What is their safety record? Are the pilots, crew and office staff experienced and friendly? What is included in the price, and what are their booking policies? Our vehicles are regulated by the PUC and we meet or exceed all state transportation guidelines TCP #11964-C.
We focus on a professional and safe operation which includes a knowledgeable reservation staff, experienced pilots and crew and a perfect safety record. We operate all hot air balloon flights that we book. Be wary of companies that sell gift certificates or reserve flights they do not operate. Our Temecula balloon rides include a 60-75 minute flight, private label champagne, orange juice, and souvenir certificate of flight.
We collect payment when you reserve your flight and if the hot air balloon ride is canceled due to inclement weather you have the option to reschedule for free or request a refund. If you have any additional questions about our company please feel free to contact our office.
of your hot air balloon tour. The crew will be available before you take off to take your picture in the basket.
Ballooning Basics & Technical Questions
The average flight altitude for a hot air balloon is from tree top level to 3000 feet. The flight plan depends upon wind velocity, direction and the passenger’s desires.
A hot air balloon is carried by the wind, and thus moves at the speed of the winds. We fly passengers in gentle breezes up to six miles per hour.
Winds determine a hot air balloon’s direction. Balloon pilots can steer a balloon, to a limited extent, by adjusting the balloon’s altitude to make use of different wind speeds and directions.
Hot air 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.
The hot air balloon burners are fueled by propane, which burns clean and is easy to obtain.
Hot air balloons average in size from one passenger to twenty passengers. When inflated a hot air balloon is as tall as a seven story building. Hot air balloons are measured in cubic feet, 55,000 for a sport balloon up to 300,000 for the largest commercial balloon. Grape Escape Balloon Adventures operates hot air balloons of all sizes.
All of our hot air balloon pilots have an FAA certified commercial pilot’s license, with a lighter than air certificate. In addition, several of our pilots also fly fixed winged aircraft. Grape Escape Balloon Adventures Hot Air Balloon Adventure only hires pilots who have a minimum of 1000 hours of logged flight time.
About Temecula
Visiting Temecula, California, offers a charming blend of scenic vineyards, historic charm, and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re exploring the famous Temecula Wine Country, strolling through Old Town with its shops and restaurants, or enjoying activities like hot air balloon rides and hiking, there’s something for everyone. The city is also known for its lively events, including the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival. With a mild Mediterranean climate, Temecula is an ideal year-round destination for those seeking relaxation or excitement. Visit our blog to discover more things to do in Temecula and make the most of your visit here.