Calistoga Calistoga Calistoga is located in the beautiful Napa Valley. It is at the northern end of the Napa Valley, which is known as California’s famous wine country. Calistoga may have several wineries but is best known for its hot springs spas. The most popular bath is one with hot volcanic ash, which is fast becoming the hottest trend in mud bathing. Calistoga’s history was of course with native Indians living in this unique valley. It had all they needed, from hunting to marvelous weather conditions. There were many villages in Calistoga along with Spanish colonies; each enjoyed the rejuvenating effects of the hot springs. The first white settlers arrived in the 1840’s and began stacking claims to areas around Calistoga. Samuel Brannan the man that published San Francisco’s first English language newspaper, the California Star, purchased more than 2,000 acres with the intent to develop a spa reminiscent of Saratoga in New York. His Hot Springs Resort, which encircled Mt. Lincoln, with the Spa / Hotel on the spot that is now Indian Springs Resort, was opened in 1862. The railroad was finally completed to Calistoga by 1868. The main reason many settlers decided on Calistoga was for the mining of silver and mercury, growing grapes, prunes, and walnuts, and of course the attraction for tourist with the hot springs. One famous visitor to Calistoga was Robert Louis Stevenson. In the late 1870 and early 1880 prior to his famous writings, Robert was in France. There he met Fannie de Grift Osbourne. When she returned to San Francisco, he was not far behind. She divorced and they were promptly married in May 1880. Three days after their wedding, they headed to Calistoga Hot Springs Hotel for their honeymoon. They wished to stay in the area and moved from the hotel to a cabin close to the Silverado Mine. This is where Robert Louis Stevenson wrote The Silverado Squatters and used many local residents, characters, and features of the countryside for inspiration. Attractions around Calistoga include parks, golf, spas, and wineries. The most famous parks include: The Petrified Forest located at 4100 Petrified Forest Road – 707-942-6667 Old Faithful Geyser located at 1299 Tubbs Lane - 707-942-6463 Robert Lewis Stevenson State Park located at Highway 29, north of Calistoga. There is one golf course locate in Calistoga, the Mt. St. Helena Golf Course. For more information, you can call them at 707-942-9966. However, if you desire a safari type adventure you may wish to contact the Safari West Wildlife Preserve & Resort located at 3115 Porter Creek Road. This is a 400-acre wildlife sanctuary, which offer guided tours in an open-air jeep. For more information you can visit them at 3115 Porter Creek Road or call 707-579-2551 / 800-616-2695 If you wish to visit Calistoga for its wonderful and unique spas, you can call or visit the following Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs Resort located at 1507 Lincoln Avenue. Tel: 707-942-4102 Golden Haven Hot Springs located at 1713 Lake Street. Tel: 707-942-6793 Calistoga Oasis Spa located at 1300 Washington Street. Tel: 707-942-2122 / 800-404-4772 Spas of the Wine Country located at 1713 Lake Street. Tel: 707-942-6793 Calistoga Massage Center & Day Spa located at 1219 Washington St Calistoga. Tel: 707-942-6193 Calistoga Spa Hot Springs located at 1006 Washington Street. Tel: 707-942-6269 Calistoga Village Inn & Spa located at 1880 Lincoln Avenue. Tel: 707-942-0991 Eurospa & Inn located at 1202 Pine Street. Tel: 707-942-6829 Lavender Hill Spa located at 1015 Foothill Blvd. Tel: 707-942-4495 Mount View Hotel & Spa located at 1457 Lincoln Avenue. Tel: 707-942-6877 / 800-816-6877 |
