Feel brand new after a trip to Calistoga, California.
Take the meandering Highway 101 to the northwestern corner of Napa Valley , and you ’ll end up in Calistoga , a Napa Valley town full of mineral hot spring , California ’s very own Old Faithful geyser , and a long history of clay bathe . Before it became wine-colored country , this area of Napa Valley was once home to the Wappo hoi polloi , who called it Nilektsonoma , which translate to “ Chicken Hawk Place . ” The Wappo considered Nilektsonoma to be a healing place because of all the hot springs found here , power by the geothermic and volcanic activity of Mount Saint Helena .
Calistoga ’s first hot springs resort was opened in 1862 by Samuel Brannan , who became California ’s first millionaire and is accredit for afford the city its name when he allegedly misspoke , calling it “ Calistoga of Sarifornia ” instead of the intended “ Saratoga of California . ” Ninety year later , local chiropractor John “ Doc ” Wilkinson popularized mud bath . Other local spas quickly follow wooing and the mud bath have now become one of Calistoga ’s claim to fame .
If the clay and mineral water baths prove to be too much slackening , Mount Saint Helena and all that volcanic activity also crafted a landscape painting flush for hiking and biking trails . In between , get a sense of taste of Calistoga ’s eclectic side with museums , whimsical graphics , and , of course , some Napa Valley wines .
Mud baths have become one of Calistoga, California’s claims to fame.|Photo courtesy of Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort
Drive Time:
2 hours from San Francisco
If you don’t do anything else: Bathe in mud
It ’s said that the Wappo tribe also used volcanic mud for healing treatments and clay baths have been evidence to improve skin conditions and even alleviate arthritis . The Calistoga mud combines the raw hot spring water with volcanic ash tree from Mount St. Helena ’s bang , along with peat moss and other components that individual spa have formulated over the decades .
Calistoga offers dissimilar clay bathing experience of varying privacy levels . For the shy ace , Dr. Wilkinson ’s Backyard Resortoffers the Mudslinger software ( $ 239 ) , which admit a mud bathroom in a private room surveil by a mineral soak , facial masquerade party , steam way , and a blanket wrapper . Smooth hide is pretty much guaranteed after this treatment .
Indian Springsis California ’s oldest endlessly operate spa , and they offer a 60 - moment clay bathing ritual ( $ 170 ) in your own mud tub , which sits in a portion out room with other mud bathers . The mud bathing tub is play along by a mineral soak and some time in the sweat room .
For those who do n’t want to submerge their entire body in a mud bath , MoonAcre Spahas a “ mud bake ” version where the mud is paint on ( $ 75 ) . Get bake under the Sunday before rinse off at their outside rain shower .
Fill your days:
Things to do outdoors in Calistoga
Calistoga has its own version ofOld Faithful Geyser — one of only three in the world . While not as tall as the one in Yellowstone National Park , this geyser regularly push through up to 60 human foot every 15 - 30 minutes . A $ 15 admission charge fee includes access code to a geology museum , an animal farm , and a garden .
Walk among petrified redwood tree atThe Petrified Forest , which dates back to the Pliocene Epoch . The tree diagram were petrify by a vent volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helena about 3.4 million years ago . There are two half - stat mi trail to search , and admission costs are $ 12 per person .
There are hiking and mountain biking trails atRobert Louis Stevenson State Park , include a five - mi hike ( one way ) to the peak of Mount Saint Helena . The state green come its name because it was the arena where the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde author honeymooned in 1880 – unable to afford a hotel , they squatted in an abandoned mining camp . For another ambitious hike , the 8.3 - geographical mile ( one - way)Oat Hill Mine Trailfollows the rocky path of an old stagecoach road and bid views of Napa Valley and volcanic rock-and-roll formation .
Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort|Photo by Katie Newburn
Local museums and Art Galleries in Calistoga
For a glimpse of the local chronicle , stop at theSharpsteen Museum . The Sharpsteen Museum may be small , but it was built by the tardy Disney director and producer Ben Sharpsteen , who surely drew from his experience to design the exhibits and panorama display here . The museum also features an exhibit about Sharpsteen ’s life and career , including a real Oscar figurine - only one of the eleven that Sharpsteen succeed in his life-time . Admission is free , though donations are appreciated .
Villa Ca’Togais Italian - born artist Carlo Marchiori ’s residence and 30 - twelvemonth passionateness undertaking . Marchiori , whose work you may have look at Bellagio in Las Vegas , has built a Palladian - style villa full of fantastical murals , sculptures , and even his own Trojan sawhorse on the property . Tours of the villa cost $ 50 per person and are only offer on Saturdays from May to October , but if you lose it , his art drift is open Thursday - Sunday .
Eat, drink, and sleep:
Restaurants and bars in Calistoga
Take your pick between the more relaxed restaurants in downtown Calistoga and hunky-dory dining at the resorts in the field . Downtown’sLovinais a favorite among the locals with its seasonal , Italian - inflected card and the fact that it provide full benefits for its employees . Auro ’s chef , Rogelio Garcia , was recently constitute as a finalist for the James Beard Best Chef California award , and his tasting computer menu – sourced locally , including from his own garden – is worth the splurge . Save some room for PIE atHouse of Better , specially when the dark-green chile orchard apple tree pie is on the bill of fare .
Calistoga is in Napa Valley , after all , so wine tastings are in social club . One that embrace Calistoga ’s funkier side isTank Garage Winery . Set inside a vintage accelerator pedal post , Tank Garage produces each of its wines only once , so every visit promises to be a unique experience .
The late addition is the newly renovatedCalistoga Depot . operate out of California ’s second oldest railroad track station , the storehouse recently reopened with several different dining and libation options , including a novel still and streak , a plant - free-base restaurant , a living room elevator car serving bubbly and oysters , and more .
Robert Louis Stevenson Tree|Photo courtesy of The Petrified Forest
Where to stay in Calistoga
Calistoga has many lodgment selection , from small inns to spicy springs resorts to luxury hotel like the Four Seasons Resorts . Dr. Wilkinson ’s Backyard Resort is an excellent option for a well - rounded getaway : it ’s within walking distance to downtown eating place and tasting rooms , has on - internet site mud bathing and spa facilities , and the best part is that one of their hot spring pool stay capable until 10 p.m. , latterly enough for a confidential information down soak before bed .
Auro at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley|Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
