Hot Air Balloon Pre-Planning Information & Shuttle Services
Meeting Times:
Our passengers meet at the V-Marketplace in Yountville, adjacent to our launch site early each morning. Meeting times vary because sunrise varies from month to month. Because it is highly unlikely that space will be available at the last minute, we can only accommodate passengers with advance reservations at our meeting place.
| January | |
|---|---|
| February | |
| March | |
| April – September | |
| October, November | |
| December |
Shuttle Service
If you opt for our hotel shuttle service, keep in mind the following:
Complimentary Shuttle Service
We provide complimentary shuttle service to our passengers who are staying in the Yountville area.
Napa Valley Shuttle Service
Shuttle service is offered from Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena for an additional fee of $15 per person. We are not able to offer shuttle service to Calistoga and a few small lodgings located in the hills above the Napa Valley. Please ask when you make your reservation.
San Francisco Shuttle Service
We do offer shuttle service from downtown San Francisco, Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf for additional fee. We are not able to offer shuttle service from San Francisco airport or suburban areas.
Directions To Our Meeting Place in Yountville
- Directions within the Napa Valley:
- From the South, on Highway 29, drive approximately 10 miles north, bypassing the city of Napa. Take the Yountville/Veteran’s Home exit; turn right at the bottom of the exit ramp (heading East) onto California Way. Drive one block to the stop sign and make a left onto Washington Street. You will pass 3 stop signs. After the third stop sign, continue on Washington Street a short distance until you see the Napa Valley Railway Inn on your left. You will see an entrance into the V-Marketplace at Vintage 1870 complex’s south parking lot as you reach the last railway car. Continue PAST this entrance and go to the very next driveway on the left, which enters the NORTH parking area for V-Marketplace. Park in the area closest to the Main Building. One of our staff will greet you, or follow the signs to “Balloon Check-In.”
From the North (Rutherford, St. Helena, Calistoga), take Highway 29 south to the traffic light Madison Street. There is a left-hand turnout at this intersection. Turn left and continue to the stop sign. Turn right onto Washington Street. Continue several blocks south on Washington until you see the Vintage Inn on your right. Immediately past the entrance to the Vintage Inn is the entrance to the north parking lot for V-Marketplace. Park in the area closest to the Main Building. One of our staff will greet you, or follow the signs to “Balloon Check-In.” - Directions to Yountville from San Francisco:
- Take the Golden Gate Bridge and proceed North on Highway 101 about 20 miles to the Vallejo/Napa exit (Highway 37). Go east on 37 for about 6 miles to the Sonoma/Napa turnoff. Turn left onto Highway 121 and follow signs to Napa for about 15 miles. Be sure not to turn off of Highway 121 -- at about 6/7 miles when you reach a gas station on your left (West), the highway will take a big bend to the right; make sure that you bear right, following Highway 121 -- do not go straight ahead to the blinking red light. When you intersect Highway 29 at the southern end of the Napa Valley, there is a traffic light where you must turn left or right. Turn left (direction Calistoga) and proceed about 10 miles north to the town of Yountville. (See directions above for "within the Napa Valley-from the South.")
- Directions to Yountville from the Oakland area:
- Take Highway 80 East in the direction of Vallejo and Sacramento. Just after crossing the toll bridge at Vallejo you will see a sign indicating that the Napa turnoff is 5 miles ahead. Proceed 5 miles and take the Napa/Columbus Parkway exit. Head West on Highway 37 about 2 miles until it intersects Highway 29 (also called Sonoma Boulevard at this point) at a large traffic-light controlled intersection. Turn right and proceed North following signs for Highway 29/Calistoga. Bypass the city of Napa, staying on Highway 29 and proceed about 10 miles north to Yountville. (See directions above for "Within the Napa Valley - from the South.")
- Directions to Yountville from the Sacramento area:
- Take Highway 80 West past Vacaville to Fairfield. Look for the Napa/Highway 12 exit. Follow Highway 12 and turn right onto Highway 29/Calistoga (third traffic light you come to). Bypass the City of Napa and proceed about 10 miles north to Yountville. (See directions above for "within the Napa Valley - from the South.")
- Directions to Yountville from Sonoma
- Take Highway 12 south to Highway 121. Turn right and follow Highway 121 for about 6 miles until you intersect Highway 29 at the southern end of the Napa Valley, there is a traffic light where you must turn left or right. Turn left (direction Calistoga) and proceed about 10 miles north to the town of Yountville. (See directions above for "within the Napa Valley-from the South.")