I did a ton of research before booking our very first hot air balloon ride. I ultimately chose this company because they were decently priced, had very positive reviews, and were located close to our hotel. We arrived at the pickup spot around 5:15 AM (15 minutes before takeoff), and the location was easy to find with effortless parking. There were also two staff members outside lighting the way to avoid any confusion. Once we checked in, we were told to head upstairs where they had a self-service setup of snacks, water, coffee, and even Irish whiskey. We were then brought outside and split into two groups. They mentioned they used the weights we provided in our forms to evenly distribute the weight for the baskets. We got to watch the balloons get blown up, and once we were all helped inside, a worker took pictures of us with our families. We then took off and enjoyed breathtaking views for about an hour. Our balloon pilot was so great. He pointed out a ton of interesting landmarks, told us all about his own ballooning journey, and kept us informed about our altitude and direction. A massive plus for our family was that our guide also spoke Spanish and chatted with my parents the entire time, making sure they felt completely included in the experience. Once our tour was over, we prepared for landing and were told the safest position to take (back against the basket wall while maintaining a squat posture). After a smooth landing, we were guided to a van and brought back to our pickup location. We ended the morning with a complimentary glass of champagne. I definitely recommend this for a fun/unique family experience. read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

Overall, I'd give Sonoma Balloon a solid experience, but probably not one I'd book again. The booking process was easy, communication was clear, and everyone we interacted with was incredibly friendly. The ground crew and pilots were professional, welcoming, and made everyone feel comfortable. The balloon itself was beautiful, and the flight was very smooth and peaceful. My biggest disappointment was that the experience wasn't quite what I expected. You're instructed to arrive at one location, only to be told you'll be shuttled about 15 minutes to another launch site, but we ended up driving another 45 to 50 minutes to Winters before even getting in the balloon. The flight itself was around 40 minutes, but instead of floating over Sonoma's vineyards, we spent the majority of the time over farmland. After landing, there was another 45 to 50 minute shuttle ride back. At the end of the flight, they offer a champagne toast, which is a nice touch, but it felt a little unorganized. Everyone was standing around waiting for the pilot to pour champagne rather than it feeling like a celebratory ending to the experience. None of this takes away from how kind the staff were or how enjoyable the actual balloon ride was. If you're looking simply to experience hot air ballooning, you'll likely have a great time. If you're specifically hoping to soar over Sonoma's famous vineyards, I'd recommend asking detailed questions about the launch location and typical flight path before booking. It was a fun experience, and I'm glad I did it once. For me, though, it isn't something I'd book again. read more

An Absolute Masterclass in the Clouds! If you are even thinking about booking a flight with Sonoma Ballooning Adventures, stop thinking and just do it. This wasn't just a tour; it was one of those rare, "core memory" life experiences that you never forget. From the moment we arrived, the team was professional and seamless, but the real star of the show was our pilot, Jeff. Let me tell you, Jeff is a legend. You can tell immediately that he's a seasoned pro--he has this calm, confident energy that makes you feel 100% safe, even as you're drifting thousands of feet in the air. He didn't just fly the balloon; he was a fantastic storyteller and guide, pointing out landmarks and giving us the "inside scoop" on the Sonoma landscape below. The Views: "Breathtaking" doesn't even do it justice. As the sun began to hit the vineyards, the entire valley turned into a patchwork of gold and deep greens. Watching the morning mist roll off the hills while we drifted in total, peaceful silence was surreal. It's a perspective of wine country you simply cannot get from the ground. The Flight: The liftoff and landing were so smooth I barely realized we had moved. Jeff's precision is incredible--he navigated us perfectly to catch the best views while keeping the ride steady as a rock. If you want the gold standard of hot air ballooning, ask for Jeff at Sonoma Ballooning Adventures. It was worth every single penny and then some. I'll be talking about this morning for years to come! read more

My wife and I had an amazing time. We decided to do it on a whim the day before. We went on a good day because the winds were blowing to the south. We gathered and then loaded in vans to drive north to get to our launch point. Awesome views! The staff was very friendly and our pilot, Ignacio, was very informative and engaging. read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Takeoff - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Surreal experience around sunrise time to go up in a hot air balloon for the first time! I surprised my girlfriend for her birthday, and we were in a group of other couples and pairs who have come to experience this as well. The experience was about an hourish on the balloon itself, with waiting prior for about 30 min and coming back to the starting point with wine for another 30 min. The check in process was super smooth, and Nacho was a great pilot! Had a great sense of humor, though he kept claiming that it was his first time which honestly I didn't believe. He was very knowledgable and was a pro at operating the balloon! Many times we felt like we were so close to hitting a tree or a house, but just smoothly went past without issues. We even stopping on top of a tree for a short period of time before being able to get air again and safely land, so don't get too stressed about those situations! It was an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone who hasn't been before. I am glad I read the reviews and came across this place, couldn't have asked for a better first experience! read more

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How do I begin I guess at 6:10am Chad arrived to pick us up very focused on flight status and FAA guidelines. It was on my bucket list for along time it is our Anniversary weekend. What an amazing time. The crew from the office to ground crew were spot on! Chad was so knowledgeable and explained everything so accurately before take off. We were not nervous felt so confident and comfortable in his skills. We were amazed at how technical things are but no worries Chad was in such control of all the balloons and situations. We met new friends and then at the end of the flight we came back to the airport and Chad told us the history of hot air ballooning and a special prayer with a champagne toast. Flawless experience!!! read more

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The experience was awesome, Jeff our pilot not only fully qualified but he was funny and good singer read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Napa Valley - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

What an amazing way to experience the Sonoma valley sunrise. Thanks to my gf for booking this unique tour as my first ever time hot air ballooning. The morning started with walking out to the runway and watching as the balloons were filled with hot air. This itself is a spectacle to behold. After that, we loaded into the baskets, a brief safety briefing on safe landing position, and lift off. The pilot turned the burners on high, the air around got warm and lift off. A hush fell over the roughly 15 people on board. Quickly we were up and enjoying the 360 deg panoramas. Great views of mountains and vineyards alike as we floated through the air. After an incredibly smooth landing, we witnessed the air being let out of the balloon, then a quick 10 minute ride back to the airport. The tour finished with a beautiful ballooned prayer and toast. Fitting it was with a rose' and not the typical champagne since we are in wine country after all. read more

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What an amazing trip you have to ask for Louise. He is a great pilot and willing to explain everything about the wineries, the balloon experience. Etc.. read more

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Booking my flight was easy on the phone with the staff. They sent a text and an email confirming all the details with a simple link to sign the waivers. I could even tell if everyone in the party had signed or not! Then the tickets even added to my iPhone wallet for easy reference. I received a phone call from the office the afternoon before explaining the weather because it was 50/50 for fog in sonoma. We chose to proceed with high hopes. The morning of, I used gps to find the meeting location, which was helpful bc it was so dark, but the had signs with flashers to help guide you where to go. Our pilot checked us in, and we were on a short hold until the sunrise, to make sure the fog burned off. we could watch the inflation right from the deck! When Chad our pilot deemed it safe, the crew inflated and stood up the balloon. We climbed in and Chad gave a very calm, slow and purposeful safety speech before lift off. The flight was absolutely amazing- rolling hills covered with grapevines for as far as we could see. The fog was over the water out to the bay- but even the tips of the Golden Gate Bridge were peaking out!! Chad pointed out some wineries and gave some basic wine country information. After the soft landing, we exited the basket through DOORS! And loaded up for a short ride back. They had a sparkling wine toast and closed with the ballooners prayer. They even had martinelli's for the kids. The crew and pilot split tips equally. That was encouraging! It was 100% customer service oriented. Exactly the way you would hope it to be!! read more

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Our pilot, Matteo was awesome. We had an early morning flight. The valley was gorgeous with the rising sun and gentle breeze. It's a romantic chill way to bring in the day! Very special! read more

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A hot air balloon ride has been on my bucket list and did using Sonoma Ballooning help achieve that! Very easy to schedule on the website. They will work with customers to ensure a safe and fun morning! There is a parking lot you can drive to or if you are near by they will pick you up at the hotel! Jeff did that for me and it was such an easy experience to get to and from. You're welcomed in the office with coffee and light morning snacks. Take in the pre balloon prep from the office or deck. Everyone was very professional and ensured we had the best experience. After some amazing views and a very nice long ride we safely landed back and had a toast with Champagne. Thank you Pilot Chad for such a great day! They came recommended to me and I wound recommend them to others. A sunrise hot air balloon ride should be on your list! read more

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Amazing experience and really funny pilot! Jeff was great and took us to see a lot of really great views in Napa!

Amazing experience ballooning over Sonoma and Napa vineyards. Their team worked well together and you can tell they loved what they do. Mateo was our pilot and he did not disappoint. Answered all our questions and gave a ballooning experience unlike no other. Great experience. read more

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You're in good hands if Chad is your pilot. Couldn't have asked for a calmer morning, unreal views and a glass of champagne to boot. The only way to float above the Sonoma valley, no need to look anywhere else. You'll be well looked after! read more

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Jeff was an amazing pilot. He made us feel comfortable during our flight. I really enjoyed our experience with ballooning. Thank you Jeff for helping me check this off my bucket list read more

Highly recommend this experience! Came here for our anniversary and the experience was seamless. We arrived at 7am and were given a safety briefing. Complimentary coffee and water in the lobby. It was such a cool experience watching the balloon get inflated. The actual flight itself was gorgeous. It was amazing seeing the sun rise over the vineyards, and our pilot Mateo was super experienced and great at pointing out landmarks and giving us some history of the local places. He was also fantastic at piloting the balloon, taking us low over the vineyards and trees and over ponds, and then up to 1000 feet for panoramic views. The ride itself is very smooth and not scary at all. The total flight time is 45 min to an hour and we were back at the building by around 8:30am for a champagne toast. They were great about taking lots of photos and videos as well for memories, and we were given a small pin to take home. Highly recommend this experience! read more

So incredibly awesome! The views, the flight itself, the skilled pilot and the entire operation from start to finish was superb. It exceeded my expectations tenfold. A very smooth and professional operation. read more

Sonoma ballooning was amazing!!!!! We did a sunrise balloon ride for my birthday while visiting and it really made the trip. Early wake up call but so worth it. Our pilot/guide was Mateo and he was very knowledgeable. I was scared at first but everything was so smooth. The views and sunrise were gorgeous. Takeoff and landing were easy. All the staff and crew were so nice as well. 10/10 recommend read more

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Great time with Chad! Highly recommended! Need to book again soon. Thanks for the experience. read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Outside Winters - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

During our Sonoma trip we went ballooning with Mateo and Sonoma Ballooning. Such an amazing experience, it was so serene floating over the beautiful countryside. Mateo was a great pilot and clearly knew his stuff, the ground crew were great too, everyone was so friendly. Highly recommend! read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

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We had a great time and ended up being pulled through rows of grapes because of the wind. So we didn't travel far because of the wind but wa t to go again. read more

Our pilot Jeff was great on his first day. ( joking) it was a great kick off to my birth month celebrations! The view was amazing! Highly recommend! read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Sonoma Ballooning was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Very clear instructions of where to be, the coffee and snacks in the early morning were so appreciated, and the champagne ritual after landing felt both special and celebratory. The team was incredibly knowledgeable, fun, and had a great sense of humor. Along the way, they shared fascinating bits of history and stories that made the flight even more engaging without ever feeling overwhelming. We felt completely safe the entire time -- honestly, I could've stayed up there all day just taking in the views. Huge shoutout to Mateo, who was fantastic and helped make the experience truly memorable. If you're even considering a hot air balloon ride in Sonoma, this is absolutely the one to book. read more

We had a great time with Chad. Dana was beautiful and the ride was so smooth. We would do it again. read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Sonoma hot air balloon taking off in Winters! - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

Highly recommend checking this place out. Not only did they have an excellent experience, but they also referred one of the coolest wineries around. read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - 30th birthday! - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Great experience with the pilot Chad. Amazing views and great welcome when you get to building read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

once in a lifetime experience! Jeff was an amazing pilot, funny and personable, which made the initial anxiety of being so high go away quickly. His navigation was impressive, easily maneuvering the balloon so we could have perfect moments for photos to commemorate this really unique tour! Another pilot, Chad, made us feel like we had known him for years, easy to talk to, and he was so knowledgeable and funny also (a doppleganger for Seth Rogan?!). All the staff was spectacular; friendly and accommodating, really wanting to make sure we got the most out of the tour. I'm at a loss to explain how peaceful the ride felt, just floating... viewing ranches and vineyards from this height was so rad. We saw deer, cattle, horses, 2 HUGE jack-rabbits (that's a first since we are from Ohio), a duck farm and so many rolling hills. Jeff nailed the landing; thanks Jeff!! Our champagne toast and merch shopping topped it off, an added bonus to what I am convinced was the smoothest ride, and one of coolest things I have ever experienced! Tip for passengers, use the restroom right before you go to watch the balloon inflate. Briefing on safety happens fast, then it's right into the balloon... these fellas are timely with their process. Expect a minimum of 2 hours with no restroom ;) This pilot team and ground crew truly made this an unforgettable flight! Thanks to all, we will be back! read more

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Enjoyed our very first hot air balloon ride experience and it was amazing! 10/10 recommend. Our pilot Chad was fantastic . I can't wait to do it again ! read more

Chad was very good, informative & educational. And he always mindful with the safety of the customers. He's is a gentle giant. read more

What a great trip! Nacho the pilot is awesome. Tells you all about the trip and how balloons work. Very peaceful ride in wine country. Highly recommend. read more

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Thanks for a great ride. CHAD!! Loved the scenery, facts and nursery. Great landing...no burned fingers!! read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Jeff was amazing! Very skilled and our group had the most amazing time. Way exceeded expectations and the crew handled our safety with the utmost care. read more

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Jeff was an amazing pilot. I was nervous to begin with and he was witty and calm and charismatic. The jokes kept flying and I could tell everything would be amazing. The views were stunning and awe inspiring. He was very accurate with his piloting and took us in real close to some amazing vineyards and a creek. It was a blast! Thanks Jeff for such an amazing morning! read more

What a great experience this was! Absolutely recommend to try this. We came on a morning in which the wind was too strong and the pilots were so cautious and kept out safety first. They got us rescheduled for the next day. We came in the following day and it was an awesome experience. It was a total of 3 balloons going up. Chad was our pilot and he made the experience so much fun! He was very knowledgeable and made us feel so safe. When your in the Napa Valley, make sure you make this an adventure stop! read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

My husband and I have been meaning to try out hot air ballooning. Since we saw that a friend had recently went on a hot air balloon and had a great time, we decided to book a ride too. We booked our reservations two weeks prior to the ride date. Since we live in San Francisco and had to get to the Sonoma by 5:15AM, we decided to stay at a hotel closer to Sonoma to get as much sleep as possible! Our balloon had a maximum of 12 attendees plus 1 pilot. Since one couple dropped out due to personal reasons, we our balloon had 10 attendees instead. It was foggy in Sonoma, so the crew members drove us from Sonoma to Winters to take off from there. Prepare for a 40-50 minute drive in the event that the weather is bad in Sonoma. Make sure you use the restroom and don't drink too much liquids before your ride. There are no restrooms in Winters since it was an open field where the crew members were setting up the balloons. Our pilot's name was Chad. He was an experienced and knowledgeable pilot with a great sense of humor! He honestly made flying the hot air balloon seem like a breeze. I'm actually afraid of heights, so I thought that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the ride as much. Since Chad did a wonderful job taking off, flying, and landing so gently and slowly, I almost forgot that I was in the sky and afraid of heights! We noticed that other pilots had some trouble landing smoothly. Some of them almost tipped over! I'm so glad that we had Chad as our pilot. Otherwise, I think my hot air ballooning experience wouldn't have been as enjoyable if I almost tipped over in the balloon basket haha. Thank you Sonoma Ballooning crew members for providing us with a wonderful experience! read more

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Great team of pilots and ground crew. Funny, friendly, informative, helpful, and professional. Wonderful experience from start to finish. Big shout out to our pilot Mateo! read more

Couldn't have asked for a better experience. My husband and I booked a spot for 4th of July and I couldn't think of a better way to start the day. All of the staff was super friendly and very good with communication. We were lucky and got one of their newer balloons with an American flag on the basket for the holiday. We flew over the nearby wineries and got close enough to see the vines but also got to see some stunning views of the Sonoma and Napa area. Chad was our pilot and he was great, he answered any questions anyone had and had great knowledge of the vineyards/properties we were flying over. Ending the flight with champagne when we got back was the cherry on top, they poured a good sparkling wine from Cline. Overall the whole experience was great from booking to the day of, I would highly recommend them and would most certainly balloon with them again. read more

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This was such an amazing experience! I highly recommend this company! The team did a great job! Our pilot Jeff made this a fun experience! The highlight on top of the amazing views was seeing a barn owl in flight! Thank YOU read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California

Had such an amazing experience with Sonoma Ballooning. The whole crew was super nice and the flight was smooth. Would absolutely recommend 10/10! Shout out to our pilot Jeff!! read more

Sonoma Ballooning Adventures - Hot Air Balloons Near Me - Sonoma, California