It could forever change how you look at sky-high hot air balloons, as pilots ensure "privacy" on these flights.
Patch Staff
|Updated Sat, Feb 1, 2025 at 2:13 pm PT
TEMECULA, CA — A mile-high hot air balloon ride in Southern California is more than flying "really high." It's a way to spice up your love life and achieve some bucket list bragging rights.
When you book a mile-high balloon ride for two, the balloon operator lifts you straight into the sky, heading precisely one mile above the Southern California Wine Country. The pilot will then raise their privacy screens and put on noise-canceling headphones.
What happens next is up to you for about half an hour.
Magical Adventure Balloon Rides owner Denni Barrett spoke with Patch about the tour, what guests can expect, and the random interest from guests worldwide. He runs about 30 to 40 mile-high trips a season, he said.
Though Patch attempted to chat with guests of the mile-high tour, Barrett said his lips were sealed. "What happens in the balloon stays in the balloon."
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He was happy to disclose a few secrets, such as guests are getting younger instead of older couples looking for a little extra spice. However, Barrett disclosed some tips for getting the most out of your ride.
For example, size does matter. Hot air balloon basket sex beats the traditional "mile-high" sense of meeting up with a partner in an airplane lavatory. "The balloon baskets can accommodate up to 10 people, so there's more room, and riders get a bit of privacy with the screens between them and the pilot."
The pilot is just flying the craft. "They have to focus on navigation, flying at that altitude," he said. "Your typical balloon flights are at around 3,000 feet. Not many balloons reach that altitude, and it takes a professional to fly at that extreme altitude. They're not paying attention and are very discreet."
Music also helps. "The balloon company provides a music player. You provide the music, blankets, pillows, and imagination."
Consider keeping warm. The only thing between guests and the 5,280-foot drop is a strip of wicker and some blankets if they bring them themselves. "It's BYOB for blanket," he said.
According to the interview, mile-high guests have taken in the view "doggie style," so both could witness the sunrise or "make whoopee" in the basket. Others have just spent some time in their skin, enjoying a little morning commune with nature in their birthday suits.
"We don't judge. If outdoors is your fantasy, you can certainly check the box," he said. But watch out for things like fear of heights or frigid air.
"It gets cold up there. Balloons tend to launch before sunrise, going from dark to daylight. "Right now, in the winter, our meeting time is about 6 a.m. instead of 3:30 or 4 a.m. in other parts of the country."
Plus, you get a cool mile-high pin to commemorate the occasion.
"The pin's a great conversation piece," he said. Also, once you land, you get the traditional champagne toast, a selection of individually wrapped breakfast items, free digital souvenir pictures, complimentary celebratory banners, a commemorative flight certificate, a "mile-high club pin," and two-for-one wine tasting vouchers to local Temecula wineries, as well as other local attraction discounts.
This is the latest thrill-seeking adventure in the California sky for the company that offers "the largest fleet and staff in California," according to Barrett. "Our company is only second to Rainbow Ryders, the largest hot air balloon company in the United States."
Magical Adventure Balloon Rides has 14 balloon aircraft of all different sizes in its fleet. They can fly over 100 guests simultaneously without coordinating with other balloon companies with their multiple balloons, he said. While all sorts of rides, from tethered to engagements to even weddings in the sky, are offered, the mile-high journey remains a massive draw for people of all nationalities.
"I've had people book the mile-high flight from all over the US, Europe, and Asia," he said. "All cultures, ethnicities and sexual orientations."
The cost averages about $1,500 a trip for a couple, and additional riders are $139 each. Some dates, like those closer to Valentine's Day, cost a little extra. Barrett says his company runs about 30 to 40 of those experiences each year, and those reservations are growing along with the uptick in media attention.
Ballooning in Temecula is for anyone who loves adventure, not just those who are seeking over-the-top activities, like joining the mile-high club, he says.
"We are located between Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside and Palm Springs, so we have a lot of people who enjoy the visit. Plus, there are the wineries and breweries, the casinos, and local restaurants that add to the flair, making this the perfect recipe for successful ballooning in Southern California."
For more information, visit www.hotairfun.com.