Napa Valley Aloft Balloon Rides
Celebrating 50 Years!
Most Trusted Napa Balloon Ride Since 1976
Unlock Exclusive Tastings After Booking
Founded in 1976, Napa Valley Aloft offers the most iconic hot air balloon rides in Napa Valley and has been a defining part of the region’s skyline for nearly 50 years. As we celebrate this milestone, Aloft continues to be recognized as a trusted and established hot air balloon operator in the world, delivering one of the most memorable and authentic Napa Valley balloon ride experiences available.
What sets Napa Valley Aloft apart is its deep connection to the region itself. We fly a higher percentage of true Napa Valley balloon flight routes than other operators, giving guests more consistent access to Napa Valley’s most celebrated vineyard landscapes. As the only hot air balloon company launching from the heart of Napa Valley at The Estate Yountville, your hot air balloon ride experience begins in the center of wine country, surrounded by world-class wineries, luxury hotels, and renowned restaurants.
With exclusive rights to multiple hot air balloon launch site options across Napa Valley, we maximize balloon flight opportunities and adapt to daily conditions to provide the best possible balloon ride experience. Our FAA-certified balloon pilots are among the most experienced in the industry, with extensive knowledge of Napa Valley’s terrain and weather patterns. Their expertise ensures a safe, seamless, and unforgettable hot air balloon journey from start to finish.
Recognized as an award-winning hot air balloon ride in Napa Valley and across the United States, there is no substitute for the hot air balloon experience. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning to Napa Valley’s wine country, a hot air balloon ride with Napa Valley Aloft offers a perspective that is both timeless and breathtaking.
Reserve your Napa Valley balloon ride today and discover why Napa Valley Aloft remains one of the most trusted names in Napa Valley and around the world
(707) 944-4400
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE
WHY CHOOSE A CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL RIDES OPERATOR?
- All PRO Operator’s safety records reflect impeccable piloting & decision-making.
- All PRO Operators are fully licensed & insured; all PRO Operator pilots are FAA certified.
- ONLY FLIGHTS OVER WINE COUNTRY
Yountville’s iconic flight is our primary launch option & rural North Napa Valley is a secondary launch option. *Weather dictates the location.
- PROVIDING SEVERAL LAUNCH LOCATIONS
We have more launch site possibilities than any other company, increasing the likelihood of flying on foggy mornings.
- YOUNTVILLE’S HOMETOWN COMFORT
Simple to locate, comfortable check-in, with all the amenities. The meeting location is at the luxurious Estate Yountville (6525 Washington Street), which is close to Bouchon Bakery, world-famous restaurants, and top-rated lodging. All services are located a few steps away from our meeting location.
- POST-FLIGHT SPARKLING WINE AT A TOP-RATED WINERY
FLIGHT OPTIONS
- Welcoming Refreshments
- Yountville Location
- Estimated 4 hours experience with a 45 – 60 minutes balloon ride
- Welcoming Refreshments
- Yountville Location
- Perfect for celebrating anniversaries, special occasions and marriage proposals
NVA IN THE NEWS
The views and reviews speak for themselves. Check out what people and the media are saying about Napa Valley Aloft.
ZAGAT
“Even in winter, it’s well worth doing. Floating gently up in the air with Napa Valley Aloft, the landscape morphs from a gentle, fog-covered blanket to lush vineyards, Napa’s famed valley cradled by mountain ranges and rolling green hills…”
Travel + Leisure
“The Kimball Family and Napa Valley Aloft were floating people above the Napa Valley long before it became a world-famous food and wine destination…Soar over green rolling hills and small and large family vineyards.”
Bon TRAVELER
“They are the only balloon company allowed to ride in Pope Valley, which means when there is a weather issue, you are not headed to Davis, California, like the other competitors. Instead, you are still floating over vineyards.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Learn more about what to expect during your hot air balloon Napa Valley adventure.
WHERE DO WE FLY AND WHAT DO WE SEE?
On most days, we launch from the historic grounds of the V Marketplace, Vintage 1870, in the heart of Yountville–a quaint rural village near the mid-point of the Napa Valley. As we rise above the valley floor, panoramic views open up of the Napa Valley Wine-growing region. To the north is the majestic Mt. St. Helena, to the west the Mayacamas Mt. Range, and to the east the sculptured terrain of the Vaca Range. With favorable winds aloft the balloons can climb to higher altitudes where we may catch a glimpse of the San Francisco skyline and even the majestic Sierras to the east. On Foggy mornings in Yountville, we have exclusive launch options located in Northern Napa Valley.
HOW LONG DOES THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE LAST?
Due to the many variables in ballooning, we can only provide an estimate of the time you should plan to spend with us. Typically, you should expect to be with us for about 3-4 hours, excluding any shuttle service from your lodging. This includes check-in, balloon inflation, the flight, pack-up, and transportation back from the landing site. We encourage our passengers to set aside enough time to fully enjoy the breathtaking hot air balloon experience without feeling rushed.
WHY DO YOU FLY SO EARLY?
Napa hot air balloon rides (and pretty much all of Northern California) are always an early morning sport. We launch just after dawn when the winds are at their calmest and the temperatures are the coolest. We hope that the lovely light of the early morning and the special sounds that can only be heard before the rest of the world is awake make it worth it to our passengers to join us on this early morning adventure.
WHERE DO WE FLY ON FOGGY MORNINGS?
Napa hot air balloon rides (and pretty much all of Northern California) are always an early morning sport. We launch just after dawn when the winds are at their calmest and the temperatures are the coolest. We hope that the lovely light of the early morning and the special sounds that can only be heard before the rest of the world is awake make it worth it for our passengers to join us on this early morning adventure. Napa Valley’s ground floor is the primary launch area for all hot air balloon companies. Fog (40% of mornings fog April – July months *2019) forces hot air balloon companies to launch outside of Napa Valley because of low visibility making flying unsafe. However, Napa Valley Aloft has exclusive rights to a viable alternate flight corridor in Napa Valley’s wine country region, located in Northern Valley. Pope Valley is a beautiful rural escape that experiences a low percentage of the fog because of its high elevation on the eastern base of Howell Mountain. Napa Valley Aloft Balloon Rides offers a beautiful flight launching from the Kimball Ranch.
CAN YOU TAKE A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE IN SAN FRANCISCO?
You won't be able to find hot air balloon rides directly in San Francisco due to the city's dense urban landscape, unpredictable weather conditions, and air traffic restrictions. Your best option is to drive up to Napa Valley, a part of the bay area that can provide exceptional hot air balloon tours. But you can see San Francisco during your flight on clear days.