Flying High Over Napa Valley With Calistoga Balloons

On my first morning in Calistoga, California, it was so cold I could see my breath. I stood in a wide open field waiting, while the sun slowly crept up over the mountains.  As the bright yellow balloon began to expand,  I forgot how chilled I was. This was getting real. 

I didn’t expect watching a balloon being filled with air to be so interesting. But then, I really didn’t have any expectations. I wanted to do something different…riding in a hot air balloon fit that desire.

It was like watching a finely choreographed dance routine, where everyone clearly knew their part. Even the timing was in sync that morning with the balloon standing upright just as the sun topped the mountains in the background.

Once the balloon was upright, we all climbed into the basket: The pilot, a family of three, and me. The crew helped anchor the balloon while we were given instructions on how to prepare for landing, and what to expect during the course of our flight over Napa Valley. Then the pilot used the burner to heat the air inside the balloon, and the ground crew waved goodbye as we slowly lifted, the wind carrying us toward the sunrise.

Flying over Napa Valley in this balloon

Those first moments can only be described as exhilarating. I had thought I’d be at least a little bit nervous, but I wasn’t. I fell in love with ballooning immediately. To be able to fly in the air, but you’re not in an airplane…I was positively giddy. “Good morning Calistoga!”

inside the balloon

The first half of the trip we were all so excited our cameras and iPhones worked overtime. There were four of us in the basket plus the pilot, who had her own space sort of separated from us. It was cozy, but not uncomfortable. As we ascended the sun rose and took the morning chill off.

Once the initial excitement calms down you notice it… the silence. It’s so quiet that you can feel it. The silence hugs you, holds you close, envelops you. If you want to know what silence sounds and feels like, take a hot air balloon ride.

 If you go hot air ballooning in Calistoga you may see Castello di Amorosa, a Tuscan castle and winery which you can tour, or Chateau Montelena, another iconic winery in Calistoga. It all depends on which direction and how fast the wind blows, 

We drifted north toward Old Faithful, Calistoga’s thermal geyser. We were close enough to see it erupt several times during our hour long ride. You can see it in the video I made of the entire experience. 

Seeing a place from above is a great way to gain perspective on where you are and the geography of the area. Even though you’re in a rather small gondola or basket and you have to exchange places with the other passengers to be able to move within it, you still feel free and light as the air that is propelling you across the valley.

Hot air balloon travel has gained popularity in recent years as a leisure activity. On the most basic level, balloons are envelopes filled with heated air. As long as the air in the balloon is warmer than the outside temperatures, you can fly. Also, for obvious reasons, wind and weather can affect your flight. You don’t travel very fast at all in a balloon – only as fast as the wind takes you.

You can see the geyser center left in the photo.

Farah, our pilot, pointed out a life size rhinoceros on someone’s property. Then what looked like Roman ruins and a grotto appeared. What was that place? I found out later it was Ca’Toga, the home of Italian artist Carlo Marchiori. A Venetian who has made Calistoga his home, Carlo is nothing short of a genius. Ca’Toga is his vision of a Venetian Palladian mansion, and a must see if you are in Calistoga. You can’t imagine anything like it.

Ca’ Toga is below.

The crew that had prepared the balloon for us that that morning tracked us on the ground, and kept contact as we drifted across the valley. All too soon it was time to return to terra firma.

What a great start to my Calistoga trip. All I can say is, “I want to do it again!”

Updated: Calistoga Balloons is no longer operating. However, there are other balloon companies that launch from Yountville. Ca’Toga Villa no longer offers tours but the gallery on Cedar St. in Calistoga is still open. 

Related posts:

Postcard From A Vineyard in Napa Valley, California How to Find A Little Bit of France in Napa Valley Wine and Wellness at The Mount View Hotel and Spa, Calistoga