This was a spectacular experience! I would rate a 10 if there was such a level. We had to get up a bit early but it was well worth it. My only regret is we waited until we were 53 to do this on our 27th anniversary.
The staff picked us up at our resort, drive us to their location to check in. Then off to the launch site. It was very interesting watching them unpack the basket, ballon and all the stuff. What a labor intensive activity to get set up.
Then the fun part the ballon rises, we get in the basket and next thing you know we are lifting in the air. Dave our pilot and owner of a local winery was our pilot. He maneuvered the ballon using elevation and different wind direction. At one point we were close to 2,000 ft with a sunrise, great views of the valley and grape orchards below. Then we literally hovered inches above an orange orchard then glided just above the tree tops. Then back up we went. A wonderful 70 minutes later we were back on the ground exactly.
Dave, Mark and all the crew were professional and constantly were asking if we needed anything. No gimmicks like taking photos and wanting to have you buy their photos. Instead they asked if you wanted a picture, took your camera and shot a few pictures for you. They even hung a Happy Anniversary on the basket just below where my wife and I were standing and took a few more pictures. When it was all done back to Dave's winery Vindemia where we had a light breakfast with mimosas!
I can't speak about the other ballon services in Temecula but California Dreamin was a class act and I would highly recommend them to my family and friends. The experience was worth every penny! Thank you for a memory of a lifetime.