Temecula: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride & Winery Toast

Summary

Temecula sunrise balloon ride over vineyards with wine country views

You’ll start your morning early in Temecula with a shared sunrise hot air balloon ride over rolling vineyards and lakes, guided by an experienced pilot. After landing safely, celebrate at a local winery with champagne or mimosas — plus discounts on tastings if you want more. You’ll leave with a souvenir certificate…and probably some new stories.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I almost missed the pickup because I’d set my alarm for PM instead of AM. So there I was, teeth unbrushed, hair all wild, hopping into the van in Temecula before dawn. Our pilot, Mark (who looked way too awake), greeted us with this easy smile and handed out bottled water like he knew we’d need it. The air was cold — not biting, but enough to make you pull your sleeves down. There was this weird hush as we walked out to the balloon; even the birds seemed to hold back for sunrise.

The actual takeoff felt gentler than I expected. One second we were grounded in a field that smelled faintly of dry grass and someone’s leftover coffee; next thing, we’re floating up and the world below just... softened. The vineyards stretched out in these neat little rows, green and gold under a sky that hadn’t quite decided if it wanted to be pink or blue yet. Mark pointed out Lake Skinner shimmering off to the east — he said sometimes you can spot wild horses but today it was just mist curling around the edges. Everyone got quiet for a bit, except for this one couple who kept whispering about their anniversary banner (I think they were more nervous than me).

Landing wasn’t nearly as scary as I’d built up in my head — just a few bounces and some awkward laughter from all of us trying not to fall over each other. Afterward, we piled into vans again and headed to a local winery (I think it was Bolero? My brain was still somewhere above the clouds). They poured us champagne and orange juice — mimosas if you wanted — and there was this light citrusy smell everywhere from the groves nearby. Someone made a toast in Spanish and totally butchered it; everyone laughed, including our guide Li, who told us she used to work harvests here as a teenager.

We got souvenir certificates (mine’s already bent from my backpack) and some people stuck around for discounted wine tastings, but honestly I just sat outside for a while letting the sun warm my face. There’s something about seeing Temecula Valley from above that makes everything feel both smaller and more wide open at once — hard to explain unless you’ve floated there yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hot air balloon and wine country tour

• Ascend in hot air balloon at sunrise
• Enjoy aerial views of vineyards and lakes
• Celebrate flight with champagne and juice
• Receive souvenir flight certificate
• Visit Bolero Spanish winery and tapas
• Explore Wilson Creek Winery tasting room
• Pass by South Coast Winery vineyards
• Pass by Lake Skinner Recreation Area
• Pass by Pechanga Resort Casino

Top questions

How long does the Temecula hot air balloon ride last?

The shared hot air balloon flight lasts about 60–75 minutes depending on wind conditions.

Is hotel pickup included for the sunrise balloon tour?

The tour includes pickup at designated meeting points in Temecula but not direct hotel pickup.

What happens after landing from the hot air balloon?

You’ll be taken to a local winery for champagne or mimosas to celebrate your flight.

Are special occasion banners available on this Temecula balloon ride?

Yes, complimentary banners are available for birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions if requested in advance.

Can I get discounts on wine tasting after the flight?

Yes, discounts on wine tasting at partner wineries are included after your flight.

Is food provided during the tour?

No full meal is provided but drinks like champagne, orange juice and sparkling cider are included after landing.

How many people share each hot air balloon basket?

Baskets typically hold 8–16 passengers per shared flight.

Are there any health restrictions for this tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or heart issues.

What’s included

Your morning includes meeting your group in Temecula before dawn, bottled water during setup, then a 60–75 minute shared scenic hot air balloon ride piloted by an FAA-certified professional. After landing you’ll be driven to a local winery where champagne, orange juice or sparkling cider is served (mimosas optional), plus you get discounts on wine tasting if you want to stick around longer. A souvenir certificate is handed out before you go — parking is free too.