Calistoga – Napa Valley Hotel Lodging and Accommodations
About Calistoga
Calistoga, California, (population 4,800) is a small,
unpretentious town at
the northern end of the Napa Valley. Known for its spas,
natural mineral
water hot springs, mud baths,
wineries, and
natural wonders, Calistoga
has retained the feel of the "old" Napa Valley and its
Western roots.
In 1859, Samuel Brannan, a wealthy San Francisco
entrepreneur, realized
the area's hot springs & natural mineral hot water geysers
could be the
beginnings of a perfect resort location. First
calling it the Saratoga of California,
he shortened the
town's name to Calistoga, & started planting grapevines in
the fertile soil. This early heritage is reflected in the
town's 30 wineries and
restored historic buildings, which
are now bed and breakfast
inns, fine restaurants, gift boutiques, art galleries, and a
western museum.
Its downtown streets, shaded by mature trees, invite
leisurely strolling.
Visitors still escape to Calistoga for its luxurious spas,
hot springs,
& soothing mud baths made with steaming mineral water from a
geothermal underground lake. That same water feeds the Old
Faithful Geyser of California, which erupts about every 40
minutes.
The town offers the quiet beauty of the Petrified Forest,
where the
tallest petrified trees in the world were first discovered
in the 1870s.
Three California state parks are also located within five
miles of
downtown.
The Napa Valley Mustard Festival's two-month season
celebrates the region's agricultural and cultural riches,
and culminates with an awards ceremony in Calistoga. There,
the Chef of the Year is named at an event where visitors
indulge in spectacular food, fine wine, and the recipes of
the best chefs from around the world. Other ongoing events
include tours & picnics at the town's wineries, wine
tasting, Victorian stained glass shows, blues concerts,
farmers' and chefs' markets, and berry-picking.
After enjoying Calistoga's museums & galleries, which
showcase California's history and the works of regional
artists, visitors can head outdoors for a balloon ride over
California's finest wineries. A hike up to the Silverado
Trail provides a spectacular view of the Napa Valley and the
Palisades, dramatic monuments that are the result of
volcanic eruptions.
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