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Compass Balloons

4.7 (359 reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

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Prepping the balloon w champagne
Ron Q.

Want to see San Diego from a whole new perspective? Contact Compass Balloons for a breathtaking hot air balloon ride above America's Finest City! Easy reservation process online. Confirmation paperwork/ waivers sent via email link as well as directions on where to meet the team. They'll pick you up in a passenger van at a convenient location next to the freeway then take you inland to the launch spot. While waiting for the winds be just right, they offer refreshments including champagne, water or soda to enjoy. Once the winds have settled the team sets up shop to inflate the balloon. In a matter of minutes, you'll begin soaring up up and away! The sunset flight lets you take in a gorgeous San Diego sunset from up in the sky. Our Pilot Ryan was great at pinpointing areas on interest along our path. As we ended the journey, winds started picking up again. The landing was a bit bumpy. The crew did a great job of looking after everyone and securing the balloon and basket. A champagne toast was in order as Ryan described the history and origin of balloon travel as we watched the final glimpse of sun fade away. Keep on Yelp'n!

Betty C.

Safe, virtually soundless drifting over gorgeous Rancho Santa Fe with a highly skilled balloonist/travel host pointing out celebrity homes like Kawai Leonard's made this an epic experience. The included champagne made it surreal. Thank you

Renee A.

We did the sunset over the ocean ride. Perfect wind conditions allowed for a perfect ride! Our Pilot and the team at Compass worked really hard to make this a once in a lifetime experience. Highly recommmend them! I had done quite a bit of research before booking and felt that they were one of the safest companies.

Lissa L.

I really enjoyed my Compass Balloons Tour. We did the Temecula Sunrise tour. We met at a shopping center in Temecula around 5:00am where the van picked us up. We drive around till we found a open filed and clear skies. It was so cool to watch them blow up the balloons! Wear sneakers because you'll be walking on the fields when you're getting into the basket. You gotta climb in too so be ready to use your legs! Baskets fit 4,10, or 20 people. Take off and landing are so easy and gentle, it feels like floating!! The sights, whether your on the ground or in the sky, are so beautiful!! There were like 10-12 balloons total. You stay in the sky for like 1-1.5 hours. At the end, once you land, you celebrate with mimosas and snacks!! The staff is super efficient, hard working, and so nice!!! It cost us about $175-180/person.

Setting up the balloon
Eunice H.

I did the sunrise ride and it was super worth it. It was such a wonderful experience, I didn't expect for the balloon ride to be so calm, I thought it'd shake more. The pictures I got from up there were so nice, and the crew was really helpful with the pictures as well. My family and I appreciated everything, thank you so much!

I know the review should be about the business and the experience but I have to give my husband a shout out as he surprised me with this experience for our anniversary. Fantastic choice, babe! When we arrived at the location, I was questioning my life choices and questioned who I was married to because I thought I was about to be kidnapped and left in a ditch somewhere. It was a parking lot and an unmarked old van that we were to go on with some shady looking people. We then head to another location which was an empty parking lot. A balloon is released and I start thinking these people are all simply coo-coo. Then we head to a third location and now everything starts making sense. This is when the hot air ballon is taken out and set up which explains why they are dressed the way they are. The road is rough and we were a group of 7 all together that needed to be transported so the old van makes sense too. While the crew puts the balloon together, we are treated to drinks that range in champagne, water, and sodas. Time went by quick because we were suddenly called to get on. Once on, it felt like it was going fast into the air but once in the air, things seemed to slow down. The views were unbelievable. The flight itself was fascinating as far as how the balloon is handled. We learned so much! did you know that wind currents change in different elevations? I took my sweater with me because it was so windy and cold on the ground, up there, it was so nice and warm and from time to time, there was a welcoming breeze. We watched the sunset and came back down to earth. That landing was fun on its own. While the crew was breaking down the balloon, we were once again treated to the various drinks. We then got a ride back to our cars and just like that, it was over. This experience was absolutely awesome and I highly recommend it to everyone. I can't wait to do it again!

Yuliia G.

Most incredible experience you could ever get ! Couple years ago we went for sunset flight at Del Mar and it was so fun and beautiful! Gorgeous views, amazing team (Irvin and Beanz) and super pro pilot Ryan made our day! Guess what? Today we came back for sunrise flight in Temecula and it was amazing! We met same team years later and it was so cool and fun! Beautiful views of Temecula wineries and lakes took my heart ! Thanks again to amazing team ! You guys amazing!!! Team definitely need a raise!!

They received very special help getting in and out of the basket.
Shawneea P.

My mom and dad, 90 and 95, have been all over the world and crossed everything off their bucket-list, except going up in a balloon. They tried twice in Kenya and also in Albuquerque. All of us in the family have heard those stories through the years, and now we wanted to make it truly happen. We all pitched in, and gave them a couple of tickets to Compass Balloons, which is right in their neighborhood. They have a view of their balloons going up from their backyard. I called Compass directly, and they assured me that as long as they were able to stand for about an hour, they would be fine. (My mom was impressed with how comfortable it was to stand in the basket with its soft floor and soft edge to lean on.) It was a total success! Compass must have a lot of practice in being with this older generation. They were wonderfully courteous, gentle, observant, and went mile after mile extra.

Higher than all of the other balloons thanks to the early takeoff!
Lindsay T.

Fantastic flight!! Don't be deterred by the early time of the flight, that's to make sure you're up in the air before the sun actually rises! Ash the pilot was so knowledgeable and even tried to land us near where our family was staying so that they could see us in the air. The icing on top was the champagne and snacks at the end, complete with a history lesson on the traditions of the first hot air balloon flight. Couldn't recommend them more!!

Reginald A.

Great company and great crew! Some problems (given the 3 instead of 5 stars): most of the crew didn't really wear masks.. our pilot didn't wear one the whole ride, because his glasses get foggy if he keeps them on. I'm sure there's a way to figure that out: wear a different mask? Also, the 10 people + pilot + 2 or more gas tanks in a 7ftx4ft basket is a TERRIBLE idea! We were so crammed in that it was difficult to move around. For anybody thinking about it in the future, pray to LORD JESUS that it's not a packed flight! The 5 people on my side of the basket were mostly normal size, and we were still struggling to fit inside!!!! Aside from that, the crew is very approachable, kind, hospitable, and professional. They did their best job to keep us engaged, excited for the flight, and happy for the rest of the day. If it wasn't for COVID and the crammed basket, I'd definitely leave a 5 star review. But please don't take this as a sign that another company is better. All of them are trying to make as much money as they can, so I'm assuming that other baskets are just as crammed. Given the circumstances, the crew is well worth your time, and the flight is definitely exciting and breathtaking enough to be worth the experience!

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2 months ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Great customer service and amazing experience with everything from the dart all the way to the end. Thank you!!!

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10 months ago

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2 years ago

Absolutely amazing the 3 gentleman great personalities made the experience great small private intimate trip

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

Thank you for making our engagement amazing! Staff was friendly and accommodating. Highly recommend!

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6 years ago

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1 year ago

Great staff, knowledgeable, personable, make the experience memorable. Loved enjoying mimosas during and after the flight.

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

We loved our balloon ride! Ryan was our Pilot! He was skilled, fun, funny, and great with guests !

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3 years ago

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Ask the Community - Compass Balloons

What months are ideal and what conditions determine flight?

How many people on a "shared ride"? Are masks mandatory?

There can be up to 10 in a basket. Masks are not mandatory at this point.

Do all people involved (crew and guests) wear a face mask at all times during the experience? (meetup, shuttle drive to site, setup time, balloon ride, breakdown time,…

Masks are required when all customers and crew members are within six feet of each other.

How long are you up? I have a flight booked for next month and just to have a clear understanding of the full experience and make sure it's worth it.

We flew for about an hour and a half.

Did anyone do sunrise?

Yes in Temecula wine country.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Compass Balloons

Ryan (the pilot) and his crew were great and made us feel safe and comfortable throughout the entire process.

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Compass Balloons - hot_air_balloons - Updated May 2026

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