20 Best Things to Do in Calistoga, California

Old Faithful Geyser of California

Old Faithful Geyser of California is situated in Old Faithful Park and Gardens and is, of course, the crown jewel of the park.

It’s one of only three geysers in the world with “faithful” status, meaning it predictably erupts with regularity. Visitors should expect eruptions every 20 to 30 minutes.

If not, it means an earthquake is likely in the area within a few weeks. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the geyser in different light throughout the day – it’s one of the most photographed scenes in California.

The romantic park also includes gardens, a goat farm, an upscale picnic area with bocce courts, a geology museum, and a gift shop.

1299 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 707-942-6463

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Petrified Forest

The Petrified Forest outside Calistoga has been the subject of countless scientific researchers since its discovery by Charles Evans, aka Petrified Forest Charley, in 1870. The 3.4 million-year-old forest was petrified as a result of a massive volcanic eruption by now extinct Mt. St. Helena. Thousands of years of permineralization created the detailed petrified wood visitors see today. Besides numerous academic papers, details of the forest appear in Robert Louis Stevenson’s book The Silverado Squatters, a good pre-visit read (free on Kindle). The Bockee family has managed the property for over 100 years. Visitors can take a docent-led 1.5-hour walk on the two half-mile trails or choose a self-guided walking experience.

4100 Petrified Forest Road, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 707-942-6667

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Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park

The Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park (BGMSHP) was once the social activity center for Napa Valley settlers due to its water-powered grist mill. The original mill and 36-foot wheel was built to grind their wheat and corn into flour and mea; it has been partially restored since 1846 and has been declared a State Historic Landmark. The park features Pioneer Cemetery, the first church of Napa Valley, and a two-mile hiking trail that connects to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. Guests are welcome to explore the park and participate in historic tours and milling demonstrations on the weekends.

3369 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena, CA, Phone: 707-963-2236

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Bothe-Napa State Park

Bothe-Napa State Park sits in the heart of verdant Napa Valley and offers a great place for visitors to camp, swim, picnic, and hike trails. Stunning sets of coastal redwoods, tanoaks, and towering Douglas firs line the hiking trails to create a tranquil setting. Guests are encouraged to take a leisurely stroll of Ritchey Canyon by following the Redwood Trail; they’ll find a natural display of ferns and hear the water trickling down the rugged creek bed. The park also features an on-site swimming pool that’s perfect for warm days and camping options that include historic cabins or funky Yurts.

3801 St. Helena Highway North, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 707-942-4575

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Villa Ca'Toga

Italian mural artist Carlo Marchiori is one of the top five muralists in the world. Hailing from Venice, Italy, he bought the land where Villa CA’TGOA now sits 30 years after emigrating to the U.S. He promptly began to recreate the aura of Venice and Verona based on Palladian architectural elements with the construction of the villa. Manicured grounds include a sculpture courtyard of statuary, columns, and gates, grotto and Roman theater, Greco-Roman ruins, a Roman pool, hot tub, and fountains. Inside the villa, guests will find a primary salon and six themed rooms. CA’TOGA art gallery houses Marchiori’s world-renowned art at 1206 Cedar Street. Villa tours are seasonal and only take place on Saturday mornings.

3061 Myrtledale Road, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 707-942-3900

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Castello di Amorosa

The Castello di Amorosa is inspired by 13th century Tuscan castles and wineries offering wine tasting experiences and guided tours. It features general admission access that allows guests the opportunity to tour its two floors and enjoy a six-wine reserve tasting menu or a five-wine premium tasting menu. For those looking for a more in-depth experience, they can opt for the guided tour and tasting, which includes a walk through the Armory, Grand Barrel Room, and Torture Chamber followed by a private wine tasting. Castello di Amorosa also offers a Royal Food & Wine Pairing Tour, Cheese & Wine Pairing Tour, and Napa Valley Wine Train & Tour. More unique castles to visit.

4045 Helena Highway, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 707-967-6272

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Brian Arden Wines

Sitting along the Silverado Trail at the edge of Calistoga just below the Palisade Mountains is the vineyard known as Brian Arden Wines. Built on a lifelong dream in 2008, this property opened in 2014, producing a heavenly harvest from well-educated wine lovers. Their state-of-the-art building with hospitality center was opened in 2015 and began offering an extraordinary tasting experience featuring their 2008 Cabernet Franc. Now guests are welcome to come in for a 45-minute wine tasting of five to seven of the winery’s most current releases. Visitors gather in the energetic and upbeat Tasting Room with a knowledgeable guide to walk them through the tasting experience.

331 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 707-942-4767

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Calistoga Spa Hot Springs

Calistoga Spa Hot Springs is situated in the heart of charming downtown Calistoga, a great place to relax and feel at ease in the beauty of the Napa Valley. This boutique hotel with an upscale spa is perfect for a romantic getaway or wine tasting excursion. Guests can unwind in their renovated modern rooms with in-room kitchenettes before enjoying one of the hotel’s amazing spa experiences. Visitors are encouraged to rejuvenate their bodies in the geothermal mineral pools, de-stress with a volcanic ash mud massage, or indulge in a covered outdoor mineral whirlpool with temperatures that can reach up to 104 degrees.

1006 Washington Street, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 707-942-6269, (website link)

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Sharpsteen Museum

The Sharpsteen Museum was created and founded by Ben Sharpsteen, a Walt Disney animator, and producer, who dreamed of creating a space that preserved and told the rich history of the Upper Napa Valley area and Calistoga. Since its opening, it quickly became a must-visit destination in Calistoga and is celebrated for being the home of spectacular dioramas, realistic exhibits designed and painted by Ben Sharpsteen himself, along with a team of expert artists, as well as antiques and artifacts from around the region. See highlights like the Sam Brannan Cottage, the 1860 Calistoga Diorama, and other noteworthy items from the museum’s permanent collection when you visit.

1311 Washington Street, Calistoga, California 94515, Phone: 707-942-5911, (website link)

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Davis Estates

Davis Estates is a family-run winery in the Calistoga area of Napa Valley. They are dedicated to providing a sustainable environment and producing premier wines. Visitors are welcome to sit on their outdoor terrace, which boasts stunning panoramic views of the estate and northern Napa Valley. They also offer an array of intimate tasting experiences including the Terrace Tasting, Terrace Wine & Food Pairing, Historic Tour & Tasting, and Library Tasting. The VIP Experience is the perfect tour for serious wine enthusiasts, with a behind-the-scenes look at the property that ends with a platter of seasonal gourmet bites and private tasting in the VIP Crush Room. Things to Do in Napa Valley

4060 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 707-942-0700

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Calistoga Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa

Famous for mud baths and relaxing natural hot springs, the Calistoga Golden Haven Spot Springs Spa is the perfect place to visit for a restorative weekend getaway. Beyond luxurious spa amenities, Calistoga Golden Have Hot Springs Spa also offers accommodations that will make anyone’s Napa Valley Spa trip comfortable and unforgettable. Couples and groups alike mustn’t miss out on the spa’s hugely popular mud baths, all of which offer private treatment rooms. The mud baths feature a mix of peak, clay, and hot mineral water, which are known for their healing properties. This three-hour treatment includes a soak in the mud bath, a clay face mask, a cool compress, and a hot springs mineral bath, then ends with a cool-down wrap in an aromatherapy room.

1713 Lake Street, Calistoga, California 94515, Phone: 707-942-8000, (website link)

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Solbar

Nestled within the stunning grounds of the Solage Calistoga Resort and Spa is Solbar, a remarkable representation of California wine country’s best restaurants. Armed with a breezy, sunny, and peaceful location, alongside mouthwatering farm-fresh food, Solbar holds the distinction of being the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Calistoga back in 2010. Tuck into exquisite and refreshing local dishes such as the tomato tart, which is served with a delicious parmesan mousse, or the pan-roasted diver scallops. Dessert options are equally appealing with Solbar’s decadent flourless cake with Meyer lemon curd being one of the restaurant’s best-sellers. Enjoy your meal indoors or outside on the Solbar patio to enjoy the best of Calistoga wine country’s fresh air.

755 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, California 94515, Phone: 707-226-0860

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Heibel Ranch Vineyards

Heibel Ranch Vineyards is a family-owned-and-operated “old school” Napa Valley winery opened in 2001. They’re as committed to sustainability as they are to serving premier wines like their Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah. They offer wine tastings in a newly opened Tasting Car, a one-of-a-kind tasting experience aboard an actual railcar, with interesting selections like the 2013 Captain Bubba Napa Valley red. Guests are also encouraged to partake in one of their Back Country Tours where they can walk the 185-acre ranch with guide Trent and his dog Chachi while sipping delicious wines and nibbling from a rustic cheese, salami, and olive assortment.

1241 Adams St #1043, St Helena, CA 94574, Phone: 707-341-3351

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Lovina

Want to experience a fantastic dining experience inside a historic home? Head to Lovina! Located in a craftsman’s home built in 1904, Lovina’s was once the mayor’s home and a doctor’s office, before it became a restaurant. The building still features its original pocket doors, spacious porch, grand front stairs, and all the original woodwork. Today, this proudly female-owned and operated restaurant offers a dinner and weekend brunch menu filled with exceptional and fresh dishes. Tuck into shared plates like the house-made fresh ricotta, try popular mains like the spring pea and burrata risotto, or seared wild halibut. Lovina also has a great dessert menu, with options like the Huckleberry and Meyer lemon bread pudding, or the almost cheesecake, and a lovely range of cocktails to enjoy alongside your dinner.

1107 Cedar Street, Calistoga, California 94515, Phone: 707-942-6500

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Sam’s Social Club

Celebrate the best of Napa Valley and dine on tasty American cuisine at Sam’s Social Club. Sam’s Social Club serves farm-fresh cuisine from its Indian Springs Location. Each dish is seasonal and created with passion and thoughtful precision, considering the freshest produce available and even the way each dish will pair with their wide selection of wine. Guests to Sam’s Social Club can dine in the brightly decorated indoor area, or enjoy a seat outdoors to relish that California breeze outdoors. Some of the dishes that guests to Sam’s Social Club can look forward to include the Braised Lamb Shank, Ora King Salmon, New York Strip, Roasted Cauliflower, and Piri Piri Chicken.

1712 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, California 94515, Phone: 707-942-4969

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Napa Valley Winery Bike Tour

The Napa Valley Winery Bike Tour company provides guided, self-guided, private group, and corporate team building biking opportunities to visitors. Many consider biking the best way to explore wine country because it’s such an immersive experience. Riders can join daily guided tours like the Classic Napa Valley Bike Tour where a knowledgeable tour guide leads the way from winery to winery or follow a detailed route with planning guide for a self-paced, self-guided experience. Independent types can also rent bikes and either explore on their own with a map provided by the shop, set off on one of their Top 9 Local Rides, or check out the car-free Napa Valley Vine Trail.

Phone: 707-944-2953

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Sterling Vineyards

A well-respected Napa Valley winery, Sterling Vineyards boasts an array of distinctive wines that result from their collection of ten single vineyard estates. The historical winery features stunning modern stucco architecture capped by two towers with salvaged bells from St. Dunstan’s Church in East London that ring on the quarter-hour. Guests choose from three tasting levels: general admission with self-guided winery tour and current release tastings, sit-down tastings of limited release wines with artisan cheese and charcuterie, or one-hour food and wine pairing with educational tastings. All tasting experiences begin with a ride from the parking area to the winery on Napa Valley’s only aerial tram.

1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 800-726-6136

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Tank Garage Winery

Tank Garage Winery is located in a repurposed gas station from the 1930s. The spirited winery has created a collection of “one-off” wines that reflect the owners’ tastes and lifestyles. Forty-five minute tastings take place in their lubrication bar exploring four of their California wines. There’s also a hush-hush secret back room experience here. The winery hosts private events and large parties with reservations. They also host industry tastings for current owners/employees of local Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries, vineyard farmers, tour drivers, restaurants, and others in the industry. Besides their bottles of new releases, they sell fun winery swag.

1020 Foothill Boulevard, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 707-942-8265

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Calistoga Bike Shop, Calistoga, CA

The Calistoga Bike Shop offers one self-guided wine tour and various customizable guided tours through Calistoga, as well as the opportunity to simply rent bikes. Their Cool Wine Tour is completely self-guided, allowing guests to choose their own check in times and routes without the hassle of a schedule. Upon arrival at the bike shop, each person is completely fitted with bikes, gear, and free wine-tasting wristbands for the select wineries they want to visit and are given a guided map to locate each one. For those looking for a guided biking tour experience, they offer customizable wine, road, and mountain biking tours to fit any wine connoisseur’s preferences.

1318 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 707-942-9687

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Calistoga Inn Brewery

The Calistoga Inn Brewery was opened in 1987 and was the first commercial beer brewery after the end of Prohibition. They feature four signature beers, Calistoga Pilsner, Red Ale, Wheat Ale, and Porter, as well as several seasonal beers brewed yearly, including a Dugan Oatmeal Stout and German Kolsch, among others. The brewery produces 450 barrels each year and sells 22-ounce hand-filled bottles made in their seven-barrel, gas-fired brewhouse. They’ve won countless awards for their beers finishing in both the bronze and gold categories, including wins at the Great American Beer Fest in Denver, Colorado. Guests can tour the brewery Monday through Friday year-round.

1250 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA, Phone: 707-942-4101, (website link)

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20 Best Things to Do in Calistoga, California :