Experience · Yountville, Napa Valley

Napa Valley Aloft Hot Air Balloon Rides

From $280/person3–4 hrStarts in Yountville

The short answer

Napa's longest-running balloon operator (founded in 1976) flies from Yountville at sunrise, with coffee and pastries beforehand and a sparkling wine toast afterwards. Balloons Above the Valley now operates under the same company, and both brands check in at The Estate Yountville. Price: Pre-flight coffee and pastries included; post-flight sparkling toast.

Checked September 2026 from nvaloft.comStated on the venue's own website

Details

Price: Pre-flight coffee and pastries included; post-flight sparkling toast
Food on site: Hot drinks and pastries before launch, then a glass of sparkling wine after landing. No full brunch is described.
Groups: Shared baskets; private flights and multi-balloon large-group rates by phone.
Dogs: No pets in the balloon, including service and emotional-support animals (Balloons Above the Valley FAQ).
Kids: Children must be at least 48 inches tall and able to stand for the whole flight (Aloft advises against flying infants or children under about six); Balloons Above the Valley has no minimum age but the same 48-inch rule.
Hours: Sunrise departures; about 3–4 hours total, including a 45–60 minute flight
Season: Year-round, weather permitting
Prices: From $280 per person (shared, via the Balloons Above the Valley brand); Premier Flight $300 per person
House rules: Early-morning start; flights depend on weather. Ask about age and weight guidelines when booking.

What to expect

Check-in at The Estate Yountville in the early morning, followed by a 45–60 minute sunrise flight over the valley floor and a post-flight sparkling wine gathering at a partner winery.

Vineyard views

Good for: Romantic · Views · Groups

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About Napa Valley Aloft Hot Air Balloon Rides (incl. Balloons Above the Valley)

Flying since 1976
Launches from central Yountville, steps from Bouchon Bakery
Post-flight sparkling wine at a partner winery
Balloons Above the Valley (from $280) is now run by Napa Valley Aloft
Napa Valley Bike Tours sells balloon + e-bike picnic combos

More picnic spots nearby

Winery

Domaine Chandon

Yountville· 0.4 mi

Reserved picnicsPurchase requiredDogs OKShade

Moët Hennessy's big Yountville sparkling-wine estate, recently renovated, with cabanas and oak-shaded spaces. You don't bring your own food here; instead you can book the Chandon Picnic, a chef-prepared lunch with sparkling wine and vineyard views. Dogs and kids are welcome in many areas.

Domaine Chandon

Reserved picnicsChecked Sep 2026

Own food: not confirmed
Wine purchase: Required
Reservation: Required
Dogs: Outside
Fee: not confirmed

Nearest picnic food: Velo Deli & Pizzeria · 0.4 mi

Details

Park

Vineyard Park

Yountville· 0.4 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationWine allowedVineyard views

Vineyard Park is about as wine-country as a free public picnic gets: a quiet lawn with vineyard and Stags Leap views, where town code lets you open a bottle of wine. There are only a few tables, so bring a blanket.

Vineyard Park

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026

Own food: yes
Wine allowed: yes
Reservation: Not needed
Dogs: No
Fee: Free entry

Nearest picnic food: Velo Deli & Pizzeria · 0.3 mi

Details

Park

Veterans Memorial Park (Yountville)

Yountville· 0.5 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationWine allowed

Yountville's downtown park combines a picnic with bocce, and town code allows beer and wine here. It's on Washington Street, so you can walk over with a bottle from a tasting room and a takeout lunch. Book Site 5 and the bocce courts for a group of up to about 75.

Veterans Memorial Park (Yountville)

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026

Own food: yes
Wine allowed: yes
Reservation: Not needed
Dogs: No
Fee: Free entry

Nearest picnic food: Addendum at Ad Hoc · 0.2 mi

Details

Park

Yountville Community Park

Yountville· 0.5 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationWine allowed

A rare Napa Valley town park where a bottle of wine with your picnic is legal: Yountville code allows beer and wine here. Group sites have charcoal grills and hold about 50, and a big playground keeps kids busy. Reserve a site through the town's online system for a party, or grab an open table.

Yountville Community Park

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026

Own food: yes
Wine allowed: yes
Reservation: Not needed
Dogs: No
Fee: Free entry

Nearest picnic food: Bouchon Bakery · 0.5 mi

Details

All picnic spots in Yountville →

Frequently asked questions

Are dogs allowed at Napa Valley Aloft Hot Air Balloon Rides (incl. Balloons Above the Valley)?

No pets in the balloon, including service and emotional-support animals (Balloons Above the Valley FAQ).

Is Napa Valley Aloft Hot Air Balloon Rides (incl. Balloons Above the Valley) good for kids?

Children must be at least 48 inches tall and able to stand for the whole flight (Aloft advises against flying infants or children under about six); Balloons Above the Valley has no minimum age but the same 48-inch rule.

Sources & accuracy

We last checked this listing in September 2026 (freshest source: Official sites accessed Sept 2026 ('celebrating 50 years')). Policies change — especially for groups and holidays — so confirm with Napa Valley Aloft Hot Air Balloon Rides (incl. Balloons Above the Valley) before you go. How we verify.

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