View of the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island (photo courtesy of Airship Ventures)

by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl

Have you ever wanted to ride a zeppelin? Well, I do, and fortunately Airship Ventures has brought this exciting travel opportunity to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Zeppelin over Ferry Building, San Francisco

The last few times I have ventured to the City, I have seen these airships floating above and about the Ferry Building and Embarcadero Center. According to their website, they depart from Moffett Field in Mountain View or Oakland Airport’s North Field, and in 2009, will add the Charles M. Schultz Airport in Sonoma Valley to their list of departure sites.

Exiting the hangar at Moffett Field (photo courtesy of Airship Ventures)

The trips last either one or two hours and would be an excellent adventure for first-time or experienced Bay Area visitors. Would also make a wonderful way to commemorate a significant milestone or achievement for any local residents (50th birthday celebration, anyone?!).

Airship Ventures Zeppelin over San Francisco

Each airship holds 12 passengers, and depending on your departure point, visitors have the opportunity to view such Bay Area treasures as the campuses of famous high-tech companies (think Google, Microsoft and Apple), Stanford University, the Port of Oakland, Treasure Island, the Campanile at UC Berkeley and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge.

Zeppelin over Golden Gate Bridge (photo courtesy of Airship Ventures)

Tours start at $495 per person, and Airship Ventures offers the opportunity to reserve the complete gondola for parties up to 12 for special occasions. More details can be found on their website.