Seal Beach Daily

Update July 3: See Kate’s Zeppelin-ride slideshow. Click here.

Eureka, the world’s largest airship, is returning to the Seal Beach area for a Fourth of July holiday of “flightseeing” tours — including a two-hour fireworks flight that promises a spectacular — if pricey — view of SoCal’s Independence Day shows.

Passengers on the $1200-a-seat flight will soar 1000 feet above the Pacific Coast to take in 360 degree views of a variety of fireworks displays, including — if conditions permit — the one at the Los Alamitos Joint Training Base, according to Beth Pursley, a spokesperson for Airship Ventures.

There are also less expensive ways to enjoy the Zeppelin’s visit to the area. On Thursday, the public is invited to Long Beach to see an the first ever parachute jump from the Zeppelin. Eureka will climb to 3000 feet above to Queen Mary Event Park [map] and a team lead by former Navy Seal Geoff Reeves will drop from the cabin to the park below. The airship is scheduled to be over the park from 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; the jump is scheduled for 11 a.m.

The Zepplin’s visit in May saw a sell out of its one- and two-hour tours, in which the airship takes passengers on aerial sightseeing flights, floating above Southern California landmarks, such as the Queen Mary, Long Beach Harbor, the Sunset Strip, the Hollywood sign, and taking in the sweeping vistas of the Pacific Coast from Huntington Beach to Santa Monica.

This weekend, the Zeppelin will be flying out of the AirFlite Aviation Services Facility at the Long Beach airport. One hour tours start at $495 per person.

Have to soar for yourself? If you book your ticket before June 30, you’ll get the company’s “buy one flightseeing ticket, save 50% on the second,” promotional pricing (excludes the Fireworks Flight). Eureka will be offering tours July 3-7. Learn more or book a flight at airshipventures.com.

The Zepplin will return to our area for the Labor Day holiday, September 4-8.

Want to know what it’s like to ride in a Zepplin? It’s an unusual adventure as there are only three Zeppelins operating in the world today. I’ll be taking a flight on Thursday and will be posting a story and pictures here at SBD! Also, check these accounts from Eureka’s may Visit: World’s largest airship flies over Seal Beach and Zeppelin Rides Come To Southern California.

Photo above: I caught this photo of Eureka as she headed for a flight over Seal Beach in May.