Hot Air Balloon in San Diego: The 4 Best Ride Operators for a Once in a Lifetime Experience

San Diego is a popular destination for tourists globally thanks to its pleasant year-round weather and numerous attractions. Located along the Pacific coastline, the city is blessed in abundance when it comes to natural beauty. Its unique geography makes it the bridge between the California deserts and the Pacific Ocean. One can grasp the true beauty of the city while taking a hot air balloon tour in San Diego. The stunning sights can be viewed from elevations of upto 1500 ft, helping you enjoy views like no other. Multiple hot air balloon operators based in San Diego and Temecula provide various options for tours. These include honeymoon rides, private tours as well as group tours. So here’s to the adventure seekers looking for something new to try in San Diego!


The 4 Best Hot Air Balloon Operators in San Diego

1. Compass Balloons

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Established in 2015, Compass Balloons has quickly emerged as a leading hot air balloon tour operator in the region. The well trained efficient ground crew ensure you have a seamless experience from start to finish. The pilots are FAA certified and highly experienced. They provide you with a small safety briefing, before doubling up as the tour guide while in the air. They offer tours from Del Mar in San Diego as well as from Temecula, which is an hour’s drive away from the city. They have also featured in articles published by the Chicago Tribune and Fine Magazine. 

Price: USD 155 - USD 195 (Group, per person), USD 850 - USD 1000 (Private, per person)
Duration of flight: Sunrise - 2 hours 45 minutes, Sunset - 3 hours 30 minutes   
Locations: San Diego - 1969 Villa Cardiff Dr, Cardiff, CA 92007 Ph: 760-704-7407                 
                          Temecula - 34225 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92592 Ph: 760-704-7407
Services Included - Champagne breakfast, transportation from meeting site


2. Magical Adventure Balloon Rides

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Magical Adventure Balloon is a renowned hot air balloon tour operator based in both San Diego and Temecula. They offer some of the most unique packages for guests, apart from the regular private and group shared trips. These include Mile High Flight, Engagement/Wedding Flight, Dark into Daylight Flight and so on. They provide champagne and other refreshments, while other services provided include flight certificates and photographs you can take home as a souvenir.


Price: USD 109 - USD 350 (Group, per person), USD 950 onwards (Private flight, for first two passengers)
Duration of flight: 30 minutes - 1 hour 
Location: San Diego - 15609 San Andres Drive, Del Mar, CA 92014               
Temecula - 34843 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591  Ph: 866-365-6987
Services Included: Pickup and drop from meeting point, seats along basket rail, champagne, mimosas and other refreshments, free digital souvenir, commemorative flight certificate, vouchers for wine tasting


3. Sky’s the Limit Ballooning Adventures

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Sky’s the Limit is amongst the oldest hot air balloon tour operators. This family run business has over 24 years of experience. They provide a safe and comfortable experience, making sure passengers have a great time. The Sunset package based out of San Diego offers stunning sights of coastal California, while the Temecula Balloon Ride offers great views of Lake Skinner, Palomar Observatory and other landmarks of San Diego County. 

Price: USD 225
Duration of flight: 45 minutes - 1 hour
Location: San Diego - 3263 Camino De Los Coches, Carlsbad, CA 92009               
Temecula - 31867 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591
Services Included: Pickup and drop to launch site, traditional post-flight champagne celebrations


4. Balloon Safari

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The Balloon Safari is a unique experience offered in the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. This is a great option for families with young kids looking to enjoy the experience of flying in a hot air balloon. The big yellow balloon gives you a great view of the park, similar to balloon tours over the Serengeti of Africa. The short duration of the trip and affordable tickets make it a great activity for tourists looking to do multiple things in the day.

Price: USD 12 (children), USD 18 (adults)
Duration of flight: 10-15 minutes
Location:  San Diego Zoo and Safari Park


Best Time to Go on a Hot Air Balloon Trip in San Diego

The best time to go for a hot air balloon tour is during sunset, as one can catch stunning views of the setting sun over the Pacific Ocean. These tours usually start around 4 in the evening. If you prefer to see the rising sun, drive down to Temecula, where most of the sunrise tours operate from.

San Diego Hot Air Balloon Facts

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  • The hot air balloon tours are operated by FAA certified pilots, and go upto a maximum of 1500 ft to help you witness the stunning beauty of San Diego and its surrounding areas.
  • A hot air balloon tour in San Diego and Temecula gives you the unique opportunity to witness the desert and the ocean at once. One can also spot the mountains of the Santa Ana and Temescal ranges as well, making it an unforgettable experience.
  • San Diego’s Pacific coastline ensures you get some spectacular views of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, which makes for some great photos and beautiful memories.
  • Hot air balloon rides are at least two hours or more, but certain operators provide shorter tours of 45 minutes to an hour. Most operators provide refreshments like water, soda and fresh-cut fruits to make sure you enjoy the best experience.


Tips to Remember before Going on a Hot Air Balloon

  • The weight restriction for a single passenger on a hot air balloon ride is between 225-300 lbs, depending on the operator. Some operators will not board you if you exceed the limit, while others might charge you an additional fee for the same.
  • Pregnant women are not allowed on the hot air balloon due to the risk it poses to their health. Children below the age of 5 are also not allowed as their view of the surroundings will be obscured by the passenger basket.
  • The views from a hot air balloon are quite spectacular. Do not forget to have your camera or smartphone on you to capture these stunning sights.
  • Most hot air balloon tours are for groups of up to 16 people. As a result, report to the location on time to ensure you do not inconvenience your fellow passengers or even miss your trip.
  • Passengers are not allowed to wear high heels for the trip. The preferred footwear for the trip would be closed toe shoes such as sneakers.
  • Layering your clothes for a hot air balloon trip is a good idea, as the weather changes can change depending on the altitude and the time of day. During winters, do remember to have a jacket on hand.
  • The glare from the sun is quite pronounced at increased altitudes. Thus, have a pair of sunglasses to ensure you can comfortably view your surroundings.

This post was published by Peter Nikhil David

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