Our preferred alternate is a lovely Valley north of Calistoga, in Lake County. Our pilots are all FAA certified and our equipment is inspected regularly at FAA designated repair stations. Although your altitude will vary during the flight, and will depend on the wind conditions that day, average altitudes are between 1,000 and 3,000 feet above the valley floor, but the balloon may go higher if the day's winds permit or require your pilot to do so. Winds permitting, some of your flight will also take place at lower altitudes, including treetop level, for a close-up look at the vineyards. Wear casual, comfortable clothing, appropriate for an outdoor adventure, and in layers so that you can adjust to the warming temperatures as the morning progresses.
Ladies are probably most comfortable in trousers.
Tall men may want to wear a hat or ball cap because of the heat from the burner above. You won't want to be burdened down with large bags in the basket, but we can find room in the chase truck if there are things you cannot leave in your car. Around the age of 6 years, children are tall enough to see over the side of the basket and have the attention span to enjoy an hour or more flight in an open basket. Sometimes young children are sensitive to the sound of the burners, but most quickly become interested in how the balloon works. They enjoy looking for wildlife in the vineyards and generally enjoy the inflation and packup almost as much as the flight itself.