Outdoor Adventure

Check in at the Americana road trip-themed Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa or rent a yurt at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park so you can sleep surrounded by nature. If camping, you’ll find supplies and helpful staff at Silverado ACE Hardware in downtown Calistoga. More options include UpValley Inn & Hot Springs.

Once you’re settled in to your digs, head out for the first adventure of your trip. Many resorts in town offer colorful cruiser bikes for touring around downtown, or you can rent one from the Calistoga Bikeshop. Ride (or walk) down Washington Street to the beginning of the Vine Trail, which will bring you directly to Dunaweal Lane, eliminating biking the highway. Eventually, this paved trail will be 47 miles long, connecting Calistoga to Vallejo! Along Dunaweal Lane, you’ll find Clos Pegase Winery, known for its spectacular modern architecture, and Sterling Vineyards (temporarily closed as of 2/2021) where you can ride an aerial tram to the top of a hill for the best view in Napa Valley. Twomey Cellars, owned by the same family as the famous Silver Oak Cellars, is also located at Dunaweal Lane. Soak in the sweeping views; the Palisades Mountains on one side of the valley and the Mayacamas Range on the other. One more excellent option that you will find on Dunaweal Lane is the newly opened, Girard Winery, where you can experience a behind-the-scenes tour of the state-of-the-art winery, sparkling and Calistoga-exclusive wines and locally-sourced bites in the VIP Tasting.

When you return to town, take a leisurely stroll through Calistoga’s downtown shops and art galleries. For dinner, you may want to enjoy a bite to eat and a flight of locally made beer in the beer garden at Calistoga Inn, Restaurant & Brewery!

DAY TWO

Start the day with a vigorous jog through the quiet Calistoga streets, or drop in for boxing, boot-camp, or spin class at the Calistoga Fit Studio, at its annex located right on Lincoln Avenue.

Rent a mountain bike from Calistoga Bikeshop and ascend the Oat Hill Mine Trail historic route between Calistoga and the quicksilver mines of 1872. Just past Silverado Trail is the https://napaoutdoors.org/parks/oat-hill-mine-trail/trailhead to this 8.3-mile-long hike. Some parts of the trail are a bit of a challenge with rough and rocky sections, but visitors are rewarded with majestic views of Napa Valley and volcanic formations on the upper trail. The hike passes through a diverse mixture of oak, Douglas fir, grey pine and cypress trees; the wildflowers that bloom in springtime are exceptional.

You can also ride your bikes to Tedeschi Family Winery, a laidback, family-owned winery with an intimate tasting room and outdoor picnic tables, located right in the heart of Calistoga on Grant Street.

Enjoy a casual al fresco lunch of a burger and fries or a hearty salad and locally-brewed beer at Sam’s Social Club, the restaurant at Indian Springs Resort & Spa. Sam’s namesake is Samuel Brannan, founder of Calistoga. Dine on the outdoor patio and take in some of the beautiful California sunshine.

Following a day of adventure, it might be time to soothe your aching muscles and indulge in an authentic Calistoga mud bath at the Baths at Roman Spa, followed by a long soak in the indoor and outdoor heated mineral pools.

If you’re visiting in June, July, and August, you’ll want to hit the local’s favorite hangout on Thursday nights: Calistoga Concerts in the Park. Do as the locals do and pre-order fried chicken to go from Evangeline to enjoy picnic-style on the lawn at Pioneer Park while listening to live music. Outside of summer nights, you can enjoy dinner, a local beer and catch the game at Johnny’s Bar & Restaurant.

Day 3

View wine country from another vantage point – while seated in a kayak. About an hour’s drive from Calistoga, you can paddle down the Russian River, passing vineyards, meadows, and Redwood forests. Check out Getaway Adventures guided kayaking tour of the Russian River from Healdsburg to Forestville or the Jenner Sanctuary where the river empties into the Pacific. This water adventure includes a delicious lunch, local knowledgeable guides, and sightings of lots of wildlife, birds, and harbor seals. Bring a picnic if one isn’t provided, and take the time to enjoy a swim.

Alternatively, sign up for a bike tour with Vine Trail Adventures or Calistoga Bike Shop along famous vineyards and stop to try world-renowned Napa wines while enjoying stunning valley views. Your guide will talk wine facts and local history as you bike the quiet country lanes. Savor a delicious lunch catered by one of the Valley’s favorite family-run lunch spots (a hidden gem deli and local favorite. You will feel safe in small or private groups with COVID-19 safety measures in place.

After lunch, a drive to the Petrified Forest is about 10 minutes outside of Calistoga. Take a slow-paced one-mile hike through this new-growth forest and wood petrified 3.5 million years ago when nearby volcano Mt. Saint Helena erupted. The presence of Mt. Saint Helena makes Calistoga famous for its geothermal waters and volcanic soil. It’s also good for the growth of grapes. On weekends at certain times of day, you can also hike the Live Redwood Hike guided tour.

From the Petrified Forest, the Sonoma County Airport (STS) is a short 20-minute drive away, where you can catch your flight home or take an easy hopper flight to connect to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO)!