Photo courtesy of Calistoga Chamber of Commerce
Travelers looking for a relaxing vacation in Wine Country should pay attention to the small town of Calistoga. Visitors to Napa Valley’s most northern city can mingle with farmers, grape growers, winemakers, and locals just by walking down the street or stopping by one of the many restaurants or tasting rooms the town has to offer. Sipping wine and relaxing by a geothermal mineral pool are the main attractions, but charming Calistoga has much more to offer.
Calistoga hotels focus on relaxation. Many boast heated mineral pools warmed from the rich mineral water that runs below the town and on-site spa offerings for ultimate rejuvenation without leaving the property.
1507 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-4102
The recently renovated Dr. Wilkinson‘s perfectly blends nostalgic charm with a hip vibe and modern amenities. This modernized retreat offers everything needed for a perfect Calistoga getaway, including luxe rooms with plush bedding and mid-century decor; mouthwatering food and drink at the on-site restaurant, House of Better; healing mineral pools; and a plethora of restorative treatments at the spa. Opt for the signature mud treatment for a true Calistoga experience.
1202 Pine Street, Calistoga, California 94515, (707) 942-6829
The Inn on Pine is surrounded by vineyards but is only a few minutes walk to downtown Calistoga. It offers 13 rooms outfitted with Wine Country inspired decor and plush beds, alongside in-room fireplaces and soaking tubs. Take a dip in their on-site hot tub, or pay a visit to their dry sauna for a relaxing way to end the day.
Calistoga is home to wineries of all sizes, and we have a feeling you’ll love tasting your way around this northern part of the Valley.
3340 Hwy CA-128, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-6684
Known for offering friendly service with its wines, Bennett Lane tasting room offers a variety of tasting experiences, including the Estate Tour Experience where a personal wine expert will lead you around the vineyards, as well as through a tasting of four Bennett Lane wines. If you’re a Cab Sauv lover, you might also be interested in the Ruby Fox Tasting which focuses on two of their Ruby Fox Cabernet Sauvignon vintages.
1091 Larkmead Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-0859
Set within the winery’s original Craftsman house is Frank Family Vineyards’ tasting room, where seated tasting experiences include samples of current release still and sparkling wines—many of which are exclusive to the winery. If Cabernet Sauvignon is your preferred varietal, don’t miss the Wines of Winston Hill Tasting, highlighting single vineyard Cabernets. For something slightly more elevated, book an experience in the winery’s chic new Miller House.
1251 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-2100
You’ll notice something a little different about Tamber Bey as soon as you arrive. This winery is home to not only beautiful wines but also beautiful horses! Tamber Bey is a family-run operation of equestrian lovers through and through and their hardwork and dedication comes through in their wide variety of wine offerings. Book their Courtyard Experience which lets you choose your tasting flight of vineyard-designated wines or dig a little deeper in the Collector’s Tasting, a private experience geared towards collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Calistoga brunch is a must for visitors looking to go wine tasting in the afternoon. Many restaurants are open for brunch on weekdays, as well as weekends.
1413 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515 (707) 942-0555
Cafe Sarafornia serves a traditional diner breakfast with a Wine Country twist. Seasonal dishes such as the Brannan Benedict—two poached eggs, avocado, bacon, and their very own gravy sauce on an English muffin—grace the menu, and portions are big, so bring your appetite.
755 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 226-0800
Solbar is a Michelin-recognized hotel restaurant and bar that is trendy yet approachable. Guests are treated to farm-fresh, seasonal ingredients, from breakfast to late-night lounge snacks. While the interior of the restaurant is beautifully designed, it’s hard to beat starting your day with an al fresco meal on the expansive patio. At night, it’s also the place to be to enjoy the 20-foot long fire pit.
If you are planning early morning or evening adventures in Calistoga, there are no shortage of places to grab a bite to eat midday.
1250 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-4101
The Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery is for travelers who are looking for a casual lunch and a place to grab a beer (refreshing after a day of wine tasting). The outdoor patio with fire pits stretches along the Napa River and all the beer is made in the historic water tower.
1712 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-4913
Sam’s Social Club is a favorite stop for brunch, lunch, and dinner in the Calistoga restaurant scene, known for its thoughtfully composed seasonal comfort foods. Stop by between wine tastings to try their Seared Ora King Salmon Sandwich or Pork Schnitzel.
After a day of exploring northern Napa Valley, it’s time to kick back, relax, and savor the many amazing flavors of the region.
1226 Washington Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 341-3131
Evangeline is casual French fare with a Creole twist. Tables are mostly patio seating, so make sure to bring layers when dining here, but it’s worth it to enjoy an al fresco evening sipping an Old Fashioned and noshing on Fried Pickles, Steak Frites, and savory Gumbo Yaya.
1107 Cedar Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-6500
The sign “Great Food” outside their small patio isn’t just good marketing, it’s a promise to guests to expect nothing but delicious eats at Lovina. Formerly known as the Calistoga Kitchen, Lovina dishes up heart-warming comfort food with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Stop in for dinner (or brunch!) and dig in to a basket of warm sourdough with kale, pistachio pesto butter with their famed Wine Forest Risotto, and if you happen to stop by on a Wednesday night, enjoy discounted bottles of wine from their extensive list of Napa favorites and no corkage fees.
There is much more to Calistoga than wine tasting. Travelers from all over the world visit here to experience the mineral pools, unique sites, and bountiful Wine Country shopping.
Plan to visit Safari West, a 400-acre wildlife sanctuary outside of Calistoga. Where else can you find giraffes, antelope, and lemurs in Wine Country? They also offer glamping, for a more comprehensive outdoorsy experience.
Also worth checking out is the Old Faithful Geyser of California, located just north of downtown Calistoga. Get up close and personal as the geyser erupts every 20 to 30 minutes.
Downtown has many local shops with unique gifts. Walk along Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga’s main street, and experience shops owned by locals including Ca’Toga Galleria D’Arte and Copperfield’s Books.
At the end of the day, Calistoga is an idyllic corner of Napa that’s just waiting to be explored both on foot and through your tastebuds. With a homey, rustic feel that perfectly balances out Wine Country luxury, there’s no denying that this is one of the best corners of Napa to discover.
