Mud baths, wineries, and more
Less than an hour north of Napa, discover the quiet treasures of Calistoga — Photo courtesy of Dimensions / E+
Although my husband and I have visited Napa Valley many times, our favorite destination is Calistoga for its small-town charm and laid-back appeal. With less than 5,000 residents, Calistoga presents a slower pace than the rest of the valley.
What is Calistoga known for?
Situated at the northern tip of Napa Valley, Calistoga is about 40 minutes from downtown Napa. Known for wineries and sophisticated dining, the town’s wellness offerings are the biggest draw. Napa’s first people, the Wappo, discovered the area’s hot springs over 500 years ago. By the time pioneering settlers arrived in the 1840s, news had spread about the powerful healing benefits of Calistoga’s waters.
Entrepreneur and Calistoga’s founder Samuel Brannan opened his first Hot Springs Hotel in 1862. Wealthy clientele poured into this luxury destination, eager to experience the mineral springs. Today, visitors continue to visit the area to enjoy the healing waters, vineyards, foodie scene, and more.
Calistoga hot springs experiences
Roman Hot Springs offers a full-body mud experience — Photo courtesy of Visit Calistoga
There’s no shortage of hot springs and mud bath experiences in Calistoga. Although there are slight variations at each resort, the mud blends include a combination of volcanic ash powder and heated mineral water.
Spa Talisa at the Four Seasons offers a mud experience on the spa’s terrace. The attendants bring a clay bowl full of mud, which you can apply to your body and face. (We wore bathing suits.) After allowing the ingredients to soak in under the sun, we rinsed off in outdoor showers and relaxed in lounge chairs with a glass of bubbly.
Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa & Resort offers mud treatments — a mixture of clay, peat, and hot mineral water — in private rooms. At Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort, you can partake in a mud bath or a mineral soak with a clay mask you apply yourself. The spa also offers the signature mud-water massage, which is a blend of both, administered by a massage therapist.
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs offerings include a volcanic ash mud bath, an aromatherapy bath with light therapy, and an indulgent eucalyptus steam bath.
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Calistoga restaurants
There’s no shortage of healthy food options in Calistoga — Photo courtesy of Visit Calistoga
As a travel writer and health and wellness enthusiast, I’m always excited to experience dining options while on the road. Although eating healthy on vacation can be challenging, that wasn’t the case in Calistoga since the entire town is built around improving well-being.
Named after the town’s founder, Sam’s Social Club features elegant plates of classic Californian cuisine. Although it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the evening is the best time when the place is hopping with energy.
For lighter fare, Solbar at Solage, an Auberge Resorts Collection property, offers al fresco dining on the patio. It’s also dog-friendly if you want to bring your pup.
Johnny’s Restaurant & Bar is a laid-back sports bar offering brunch, lunch, dinner, and live music. Try the house burger with all the fixings, and save room for dessert because the cookie skillet is absolutely delicious.
The French Laundry, an iconic wine country restaurant in Yountville, is about a 25-minute drive from Calistoga. It’s worth it if you’re celebrating a special occasion. Overseen by renowned chef Thomas Keller since 1994, it’s one of the country’s pinnacle dining experiences, where highly trained chefs blend French and Californian culinary traditions and techniques.
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Calistoga wineries
The castle-like Castello di Amorosa offers tours and tastings — Photo courtesy of Visit Calistoga
The area has wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms, including several wineries along downtown Calistoga’s main drag. Owner, vintner, and artist Laurie Shelton blends her love of art with wine at Cami Vineyards. Opened in 2013, the tasting room and gallery highlights local and worldwide art. Shelton is passionate about art and creates work that is displayed throughout California and France. Tastings are by appointment only.
Sixteen fermentation tanks rest underneath Elusa Winery’s facility. Nestled on the Four Seasons property, Elusa offers a boutique experience with tours, tastings, and events. Winemaker Jonathan Walden collaborates with world-renowned vintner Thomas Rivers Brown to craft small-batch wines specializing in cabernet sauvignon.
Even if you’re not a wine enthusiast, visiting Castello di Amorosa is a must. The magnificent winery is set within a 14th-century Tuscan castle. The English translation of Castello di Amorosa is “The Castle of Love.” The property spans over 171 acres and features a 30-acre hillside vineyard, offering tours and tastings to the public, with several lodging options.
What to do in Calistoga
Calistoga’s charming downtown is worth exploring — Photo courtesy of Tim Carl/ Visit Calistoga
Outdoor pursuits are plentiful in Calistoga. I love connecting with nature, whether on a farm stay or hiking local trails, so the Oat Hill Mine Trail was right up my alley. It’s a gorgeous yet strenuous uphill climb that offers stunning views of the valley. On this popular 16.2-mile out-and-back, you’ll encounter hikers, runners, and bicyclists. Head out early in the summer months, and be sure to bring plenty of water.
It’s also fun to stroll and pedal your way along Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga’s main street. Picayune Cellars and Mercantile is just one of the many cute boutiques on Lincoln. Owner and winemaker Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf lends her French flair for fashion to source products from all over the world. You’ll find Hermes scarves, Pendleton apparel, handmade jewelry, and local and international art. Don’t miss the hat bar, where you get a wine tasting and the chance to design a personal hat. I decorated a wool fedora, now a special memento of my trip.
Where to stay in Calistoga
The Four Seasons in Napa Valley has a spa, on-site winery, and luxurious rooms — Photo courtesy of Don Riddle / Four Seasons Napa Valley
Although it’s small compared to Napa, Calistoga has plenty of options for overnight stays, from romantic wine country getaways to family favorites.
Indian Springs Calistoga is a great option for history buffs. This was the original resort Brannan built in 1862. The 16-acre property offers sleeping quarters in the main lodge, cottages, bungalows, and houses. The Olympic-sized mineral pool, originally constructed in 1913, is one of the largest pools in the state.
Set across over 22 acres, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley has a working winery, a gorgeous spa, an adults-only pool, and two restaurants, including Auro, Calistoga’s only Michelin-rated fine dining restaurant. The 85 elegant guest rooms feature private patios with spectacular vistas and grand bathrooms with soaking tubs and double vanities. Plus, yoga and wine experiences that combine tastings and namaste.
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The Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa is an excellent pick for families. The refurbished roadside motor lodge’s popular offerings include vintage-inspired Camper-themed rooms, which are a hit with the kids. Three geothermal pools are on the property, along with MoonAcre Spa, which offers several different mud treatments for the wellness seeker.
