The Upper Napa Valley was once the home of a significant population of Indigenous Wappo Indians. During the Spanish colonial era of the late 1700’s. With abundant oak trees providing acorns as a food staple and the natural hot springs as a healing ground Calistoga was the site of several villages. Following Mexican Independence, mission properties were secularized and disposed of by the Mexican government with much of the Napa Valley being partitioned into large ranchos in the 1830s and 1840s. The first American settlers began arriving in the 1840’s, with several taking up lands in the Calistoga area.

Samuel Brannan was the leader of a settlement expedition on the ship Brooklyn landing in Yerba Buena (San Francisco) in 1846. He published San Francisco's first English language newspaper, the California Star. Following the discovery of gold in Sacramento, Brannan pursued many business ventures, which made him California’s first millionaire and became a leader in San Francisco's Committee of Vigilance (the much feared Vigilantes). Fascinated by Calistoga’s natural hot springs, Brannan purchased more than 2,000 acres with the intent to develop a spa reminiscent of Saratoga in New York. His Hot Springs Resort surrounding Mt Lincoln with the Spa/Hotel located at what is now Indian Springs Resort, opened to California's rich and famous in 1862. In 1868 Brannan's Napa Valley Railroad Company's track was completed to Calistoga. This provided an easier travel option for ferry passengers making the journey from San Francisco. With the addition of railroad service, Calistoga became not only a destination, but also the transportation hub for the upper valley and a gateway to Lake and Sonoma Counties. A 6 meter diorama of this early Calistoga can be seen in the Sharpsteen Museum.

Chances are that whenever you chose to visit Calistoga, you'll find comfortably nice weather. However, the best time to visit is probably in the fall - September and October - when you'll be able to visit the wineries in full production mode. The weather is beautiful at this time of year with temperatures in the 80s.

No matter when you go to Calistoga, make sure to bring a sweater or cardigan; it never gets too hot or humid here. The coldest month is generally January with an average of 48 degrees. Even if you visit in November , when the average temperature is 53, but can go up to the mid-60s, you're guaranteed a pleasant, relaxing vacation and plenty of wine tastings. Still, be prepared for rain in the winter months and bring an umbrella! If you go to Calistoga in the Spring, you'll be relieved to find very little tourists or traffic and cheaper rates at restaurants and hotels.

Today, Calistoga retains its charm of yesteryear with a walkable downtown much as it was when spa visitors arrived by train.

At the very top of the Napa Valley, centrally located between Napa and Sonoma counties, Calistoga remains the historic hot springs resort destination of wine, water, Calistoga bed and breakfasts, Calistoga hot springs, Calistoga hotels,

For these and many other reasons Calistoga  is a favorite tourist destination with many hotels, spas, bed and breakfasts such as the   Mount View Hotel and Spa is a deluxe Hotel and Spa nationally registered as a Historic Place located in the Napa Valley wine country in the quaint ... more  Surrounded by pristine vineyards and hills roamed by Robert Louis Stevenson, this superb Meadowood Napa Valley estate nestles in a private 250-acre valley. ... more  The Comfort Inn Calistoga is located in the north of Napa Valley's picturesque wine country and approximately two miles from Old Faithful Geyser and 80 ... more  The EuroSpa and Inn is a boutique hotel with a country decor and feel, just blocks from the historic downtown of Calistoga. It is tucked away on a quiet ... more There are also many great restaurants in Calistoga  you should visit.
 

Trip Tip: You can get the best rates and make reservations for these and most other hotels in the Napa Valley by using the Napa Valley Hotel Reservation center or calling 1-888-254-0637 Give the operator the code 3536 when calling. They can not give you the discount rates without it and you receive discount rates plus 110% guarantee. If you find the room cheaper elsewhere you get your money back plus 10% of the difference ion price.  Outside the US please call 00-800-84469370 OR 1-210-507-5997

Note: Unlike many online reservation services SfNorthbay.com has special arrangement with many hotels to receive the best rates for that day. Those great rates actually get passed on to our computer and then get passed on to you when you use the (special) discount code 3536 to make your reservation. 

 

Named a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2001, Calistoga enables a visitor to see wine country as it was before freeways and fast food - only two lane roads lead here and fast food franchises are banned by law.