This Isn't the Ideal Place to Land a Hot Air Balloon

— -- A romantic hot air balloon ride turned into a close call for one couple, after the balloon landed in the ocean off the California coastline.

The incident happened at about 6:30 p.m., near sunset off the coast of Cardiff-by-the-Sea in San Diego County. The couple, along with their pilot, were out for a scenic ride. The man had taken to opportunity to propose to his girlfriend, when authorities say the balloon began experiencing distress, with the balloon flying off course and over the water.

Crowds gathered on the shoreline as the pilot brought the balloon down into the surf, 300 yards off the coast.

Lifeguards dove in, helping the passengers from the water-logged basket. One passenger took a leap of faith, jumping into the ocean.

The pilot was still aboard as the balloon continued to take on wind and rough waves. Matt Lawson, who witnessed the incident, said nearby surfers rushed to help.

“We all just thought that, you know, they were just having some fun, just getting their passengers close to the water,” Lawson said.

“Someone dropped a rope out of the balloon, and all of the surfers started piling over.”

Luckily, the three people on-board the balloon made it to shore safely.

“No injuries, everyone just got wet,” dispatchers of North Comm Emergency reported.