Calistoga

At least since the 1700s, Calistoga's distinguishing characteristic has been its hot springs, used initially by the native Wappo for medicinal purposes. After the time of Spanish missions and Mexican ranchos, Samuel Brannan bought 2000 acres, founding Calistoga and starting the Indian Springs resort. The resort eventually went into the hands of Doctor John Wilkinson, the founder of the spa industry.
Due to the spa industry, the California wine boom of the 1970s (which Calistoga is responsible for through Chateau Montelena Winery's surprise Chardonnay win at the 1976 French blind tasting,) the ensuing tourism, and the proximity to San Francisco (which in turn has fueled more tourism,) Calistoga, like the rest of the Napa Valley, has maintained very high property value which has increased the cost of living and essentially the price of everything from coffee to gasoline.

By plane

• San Francisco International Airport 90-120 min away by car.
• Sacramento International Airport. 90–120 minutes away by car.
• Oakland International Airport. 80–110 minutes away by car.
• Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport, (STS), in Santa Rosa, is served by Alaska Airlines operated by Horizon Air to and from Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego and Seattle/Tacoma. The airport is 11 km (20-40 min) west of Calistoga by car.

By car

From San Francisco:
Alternatively,


Yet another route from San Francisco goes via the East Bay.

From Oakland:
From Sacramento:

By bus

Vine offers bus service from places including Napa, Vallejo, and El Cerrito.

Calistoga is a very small town, with most of the shops and restaurants on two crossing streets, Lincoln Avenue and Washington Street. Walking is the best way to explore the town.
Bicycles are another good option, especially for those wishing to visit the wineries and other attractions a little farther from the center of town. Bicycles can be rented at The Calistoga Bike Shop, which also dispenses tips and route advice. The Bike Shop can also arrange "Calistoga Cool Wine" tours, with arrangements for the shop to pick up and deliver any purchased wine, so the bicyclist is not weighted down.
A relatively new bike path connects the eastern end of Washington Street to Dunaweal Lane, providing easy, car-free access from the center of town to several wineries, including Sterling, Twomey, Clos Pegase, Paoletti and Cuvaison.

• Old Faithful Geyser

  phone: +1 707 942-6463
  address: 1299 Tubbs Ln
  9AM-6PM daily. Named after the far larger geyser in Yellowstone National Park, this geyser puts on a good show every 10-15 min. Bring a lunch and have a picnic while waiting for the show to start. $10 adult, $3, 6–12 years old, free for under 6 years old.

• Petrified Forest

  address: 4100 Petrified Forest Rd
  9AM-7PM (9AM-5PM in winter). Big-old honking redwood trees which were petrified after being covered by ash from a nearby volcano. You will never see a bigger petrified tree anywhere. Adults $8, Children 6-11 $3.

• The Sharpsteen Museum

  phone: +1 707 942-5911
  address: 1311 Washington St
  Daily 11AM-4PM. Presents the history of the upper Napa Valley. Free; $3 donation recommended.

• Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

  phone: +1 707 942-4575
  address: 3801 St. Helena Highway North
  Hiking or horseback riding (see below) through redwoods on 10 miles of trails in over one hundred acres including Ritchey Canyon. Also ruins of Napa Valley's first church and a pioneer graveyard with the graves of some of the Donner Party. Swimming pool (extra fee). Day use $5/car.

• Triple Creek Horse Outfit

  phone: +1 707 933-1600
  Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. Horse back ride through beautiful Bothe-Napa Valley State Park on guided group or private tours. Group tours: 1 hr $60/person, 1 & 1/2 hr $70/person. Private Tours: 1 hr $130/person, 1 & 1/2 hr $155/person.

Spas

In addition to the businesses below, many of the local resorts also offer spas.

• Lavender Hill Spa

  phone: +1 707 942-4495
  address: 1015 Foothill Blvd. (HWY 29)
  Beautiful garden grounds with full spa packages perfect for couples on a romantic vacation. Check their website for specials, they often have discounts of gift cards that can be printed in advanced and used for treatments.

• Lincoln Ave. Spa

  phone: +1 707 942-2950
  address: 1339 Lincoln Ave

• Golden Haven Spa

  phone: +1 707 942-8000
  address: 1713 Lake St
  Bachelorette party packages as well as regular and couple's massages.

• Calistoga Spa Hot Springs

  phone: +1 707 942-6269
  address: 1006 Washinton St
  4 outdoor mineral water pools, exercise and aerobics rooms. Right in town.

Wine tasting

• Clos Pegase

  phone: +1 707 942-4981
  address: 1060 Dunaweal Ln
  Estate wines grown, pressed, vinified and bottled on their 450 acre winery. Wine, art, architecture, picnic area. Try their great red wines and enjoy their public tours.

• Castello di Amorosa

  phone: +1 707 967-6272
  address: 4045 St Helena Hwy
  This replica of a Tuscan castle is one of Napa Valley's landmark destinations.

• Sterling Vineyards

  address: 1111 Dunaweal Ln
  View the Napa Valley from high above on the aerial tram that delivers you to the Sterling Vineyard tasting room; $15 and includes tasting of 4-5 wines and a self-guided tour for 21+ and $3 for under 21. Pay a little extra and taste the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlots from single vineyards and other premium wines. Great place for those traveling with their whole family. Great Cabernets, too.

• Summers Winery

  phone: +1 707 942-5508
  address: 1171 Tubbs Ln
  Beautiful setting with bocce court and entertainment center. Taste their Charbono wine, a wine grown exclusively in California and primarily in Calistoga.

• Vincent Arroyo Winery

  phone: +1 707 942-6995
  address: 2361 Greenwood Av.
  Their wines can only be bought through the winery and usually sell out before the grapes are picked. Big red wines, especially Petite Sirah.

• Ca'toga Galleria D'Arte

  phone: +1 707 942-3900
  address: 1206 Cedar St
  Wed-Mon. This gallery features ceramic, tile, sculpture and painted artwork and home furnishings by artist Carlo Marchiori, whose extensive historic murals can be seen in public locations and in stores and restaurants all over Calistoga.

• Calistoga Wine Stop

  phone: +1 707 942-5556
  address: 1458 Lincoln Ave. #2
  Napa & Sonoma County wines from smaller wineries. Housed in the historic Calistoga Depot, the oldest surving railroad depot in the state.

• Lee Youngman Galleries

  phone: +1 707 942-0585
  address: 1316 Lincoln Ave

• A Man's Store

  phone: +1 707 942-2280
  address: 1343 Lincoln Ave
  W-M. Men's work and leisure clothing and accessories, and cigars.

Budget

• Bosko's Trattoria

  phone: +1 707 942-9088
  address: 1364 Lincoln Ave
  Fresh made pasta, wood fire oven pizza, sandwiches.

• Buster's Southern Barbeque

  phone: +1 707 942-5605
  address: 1207 Foothill Blvd
  Southern style barbecue, beer and wine. Warning: the hot sauce is extremely hot. Ask for a taste if you are not sure you can handle it.

• Cal Mart

  phone: +1 707 942-9686
  address: 1491 Lincoln Ave
  A grocery store offering take out sandwiches and prepared foods.

• Palisades Deli Cafe

  phone: +1 707 842-0145
  address: 1458 Lincoln Ave
  Offers take-out sandwiches and prepared food as well as on-site dining. Take-out from either place can be taken to any of Calistoga's parks, where consumption of beer and wine is also permitted. Both may be purchased at Cal-Mart, or at any number of wine stores or wineries in and around Calistoga. Note, however, that open containers of alcoholic beverages are not allowed on city streetsonly within the parks.

Mid-range

• Sam's Social Club

  phone: +1 707 942-4969
  address: 1712 Lincoln Ave
  Upscale New American fare in a bright eatery with a fireplace, a bar for local drinks, and a patio.

Splurge

• SolBar

  phone: +1 707 226-0860
  address: 755 Silverado Trail
  Restaurant and bar at the Solage Calistoga Resort was awarded a second consecutive Michelin Star for its cuisine in 2010. Daily menu based on seasonal changes.

Coffee

• Yo el Rey Roasting

  phone: +1 707 942-1180
  address: 1217 Washington St
  Small, art-filled, creative hangout. The upper Napa Valley's only Fair Trade or organic coffee shop. Fifty cent discount for bringing your own mug or cup, and no charge for the WiFi or in-shop bookcase.

Bars

Calistoga has more bars per capita than any other Napa Valley city, and may even have more than the City of Napa itself.

• The Calistoga Inn

  phone: +1 707 942-4101
  address: 1250 Lincoln Ave
  The Inn houses Napa Valley Brewing, which produces 4 beers as well as seasonal offerings, and a full pub-style bar, as well as a restaurant and lodging. Weather permitting there is also a back bar and beer garden along the Napa River, with picnic tables and horseshoe pitches. The Inn features live music nightly.

• Susie's Bar

  phone: +1 707 942-6710
  address: 1365 Lincoln Ave
  Less touristic than the others on this list.

• Hydro Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 707 942-9777
  address: 1403 Lincoln Ave
  The Hydro features an extensive offering of specialty beers and top-shelf liquors. Hydro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and features live music on the weekends.

These restaurants have separate bar service areas for still more nightlife options.

• Pacifico Restaurante Mexico

  phone: +1 707 942-4400
  address: 1237 Lincoln Ave
  Renowned for its margaritas, happy hour is 4:30-6:30 Monday-Friday. Often frequently features live mariachi music.

• Bosko's Trattoria

  phone: +1 707 942-9088
  address: 1364 Lincoln Ave
  Dinner can be enjoyed at Bosko's long wooden bar.

• Checker's

  phone: +1 707 942-9300
  address: 1414 Lincoln Ave
  The bar features a number of wines by the glass.

• Sushi Mambo

  phone: +1 707 942-4699
  address: 1631 Lincoln Ave

• SolBar755 Silverado Trail. Restaurant and bar at the new Solage Resort aims to compete with Brannan's for the upscale clientele.

Budget

• Calistoga Wine Way Inn

  phone: +1 707 942-0680
  address: 1019 Foothill Blvd
  Historic bed and breakfast. Charming rooms all with private baths and full breakfast included each morning.

• Dr Wilkinson's Hot Springs

  phone: +1 707 942-4102
  address: 1507 Lincoln Ave
  Calistoga's landmark resort. Mud baths, three thermal pools, renewed lodging and great package rates. Founded in 1952, this is a resort that has consistently upgraded, family owned and reasonably priced for Napa Valley.

Mid-range

• Craftsman Inn

  phone: +1 707 341-3035
  address: 1213 Foothill Blvd
  Elegant Craftsman-style bed and breakfast with beautiful new rooms with flat screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, private porches. Full breakfast included.

• EuroSpa & Inn

  phone: +1 707 942-6829
  address: 1202 Pine St
  Spa services, and Wine Country California vacation packages.

• Mount View Hotel & Spa

  phone: +1 707 942-6877
  address: 1457 Lincoln Ave
  Historic hotel with luxury feel and day spa. A romantic location with beautiful "Artist Cottages".

• Roman Spa

  phone: +1 707 942-4411
  address: 1300 Washington St
  Hotel and spa in a Roman theme with baths and pools that compliment the romantic cottage rooms.

• Calistoga Spa Hot Springs

  phone: +1 707 942-6269
  address: 1006 Washinton St
  4 outdoor mineral water pools, exercise and aerobics rooms. Right in town.

Splurge

• Calistoga Ranch

  phone: +1 707 254-2800
  address: 580 Lommel Rd
  46 room 157 acre resort in a private canyon with a private restaurant, outdoor activities including hiking, fitness center, yoga, pool overlooking vineyard and spa treatments at The Bathhouse.

• Solage Calistoga

  address: 755 Silverado Trail
  89 studio style loft-inspired rooms with an eclectic design offering spa facilities.

• Indian Springs Resort and Spa

  phone: +1 707 942 4913
  address: 1712 Lincoln Ave
  Historic resort and spa founded in the 1800s by Samuel Brannan, California's first millionaire. Now owned by a local family, it recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation and includes the largest Olympic pool in Northern California and a "summer camp" style atmosphere. Spa uses volcanic ash treatments and all geysers fuel the pools.

Campground

• Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

  phone: +1 707 942-4575
  address: 3801 St. Helena Highway North
  40 sites. Restrooms and hot showers. $15.

There's more wine to the west in Sonoma County, with Healdsburg close by.
Lake County, with recreation opportunities at Clearlake as well as Harbin Hot Springs, is just over Mount St. Helena to the North.