Calistoga Wineries

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Back to Napa Wine CountryCalistoga Travel Guide: Wineries & Attractions

81 miles N of San Francisco

This last tourist town in Napa Valley was named by Sam Brannan, entrepreneur extraordinaire and California's first millionaire. After making a bundle supplying miners during the Gold Rush, he took advantage of the natural geothermal springs at the north end of Napa Valley by building a hotel and spa in 1859. Flubbing up a speech in which he compared this natural California wonder to New York State's Saratoga Springs resort, he serendipitously coined the name "Calistoga," and it stuck. With 5,190 residents and an old-time main street (no building along the 6-block stretch is more than two stories high), this small, simple resort town is popular with city folk who come here to unwind. Calistoga is a great place to relax and indulge in mineral waters, mud baths, Jacuzzis, massages and, of course, wine. The vibe is more casual -- and a little groovier -- than you'll find in neighboring towns to the south.

Natural Wonders -- Old Faithful Geyser of California, 1299 Tubbs Lane (tel. 707/942-6463; www.oldfaithfulgeyser.com), is one of only three "old faithful" geysers in the world. It has been blowing off steam at regular intervals for as long as anyone can remember. The 350°F (176°C) water spews at a height of about 60 feet every 40 minutes, day and night. The performance lasts about 3 minutes, and you can bring a picnic lunch to munch on between spews. An exhibit hall, gift shop, and snack bar are open every day. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $3 for children 6 to 12, and free for children under 6. The geyser is open daily from 9am to 6pm (to 5pm in winter). To get there, follow the signs from downtown Calistoga; it's between highways 29 and 128.

You won't see thousands of stone trees, but you'll still find many petrified specimens at the Petrified Forest, 4100 Petrified Forest Rd. (tel. 707/942-6667; www.petrifiedforest.org). Volcanic ash blanketed this area after an eruption near Mount St. Helena 3 million years ago. You'll find redwoods that have turned to rock through the slow infiltration of silicas and other minerals, as well as petrified seashells, clams, and marine life indicating that water covered this area before the redwood forest appeared. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and youths 12 to 17, $3 for children 6 to 11, and free for children under 6. The forest is open daily from 9am to 6pm (to 5pm in winter). Heading north from Calistoga on Highway 128, turn left onto Petrified Forest Road, just past Lincoln Street.

Cyclists can rent bikes from Getaway Adventures BHK, 1117 Lincoln Ave. (tel. 800/499-BIKE or 707/763-3040; www.getawayadventures.com). Full-day group tours cost $125 per person, including lunch and a visit to four or five wineries, $105 per person for private groups of six or more. Bike rental without a tour costs $30 per day plus a $20 delivery fee. You can also inquire about the company's kayaking and hiking tours.

Find the New You -- in Mud

People in Calistoga have been taking mud baths for the last 150 years. Local volcanic ash, imported peat, and naturally boiling, mineral hot springs are mulled together to produce a thick, natural mud that simmers at a temperature of about 104°F (40°C). Follow your soak with a warm mineral-water shower, a whirlpool bath, a visit to the steam room, and a relaxing blanket-wrap. Emerge rejuvenated, revitalized, and squeaky clean.

Indulge yourself at any of these Calistoga spas: Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs, 1507 Lincoln Ave. (tel. 707/942-4102); Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa, 1713 Lake St. (tel. 707/942-6793); Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, 1006 Washington St. (tel. 707/942-6269); Calistoga Village Inn & Spa, 1880 Lincoln Ave. (tel. 707/942-0991); Indian Springs Resort, 1712 Lincoln Ave. (tel. 707/942-4913); or Roman Spa Motel, 1300 Washington St. (tel. 707/942-4441).