Wine Down in Stunning Calistoga, California

Treat yourself to a spa day

Calistoga offers numerous spa options to suit various budgets and preferences. Whether you choose Indian Springs, Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa or Four Seasons, these are just a few of the exceptional pool and spa choices in downtown Calistoga. With over 150 years as a spa and wellness destination, you can indulge in a mud bath, a CBD massage or a dip in mineral pools fed by natural underground hot springs.

Spend time in nature

While this may not seem like the landscape in which you would readily find a giraffe or a cheetah, I cannot reiterate enough how Calistoga truly has something for everyone. Less than 15 minutes from downtown, you will find Safari West. Spend the night on the Sonoma Serengeti or take a safari during the day to see the wildlife. With added perks and packages, this experience is as immersive as you want it to be. If you want to keep it wild in a different sense, there are hiking trails aplenty to be found with varying difficulties, or you see the world from a different perspective by taking a trail ride on horseback. Depending on the purpose of your trip, there are equine facilities which offer photo packages for picture-perfect and unique proposals. If you are looking for something a little more mellow, and it's just the greenery that you're after, there are also many options to play a few holes at one of the many golf courses in the area.

Go shopping

Whether it's vintage finds, art created by local artists or creating a masterpiece of your own, creativity does not start and stop with the winemaking. Vintage shops like Sugar Daddy's offer a look into the past, while hidden gems like CAMi Art + Wine tastefully curates a menu, both edible and otherwise, for the contemporary. You may also shop for unique local gifts (from charcuterie sets to jewelry to clothing and accessories) at Picayune Cellars & Mercantile, or visit their hat bar to craft a one-of-a-kind souvenir. Woman-owned by a French-native, these merchants offer more than just good taste in merchandise, but also in their label of wines, which you can taste in the tasting room of the shop.

Day trips:

During warmer months, take a drive 45 minutes west to Johnson's Beach to spend the day on the river or explore this eclectic town. From boutique shops to canoe rentals to quiet hikes among the Redwood giants, this riverside community of Guernesville offers a different take on California wine country. Alternatively, you can attend a local music festival such as BottleRock, which takes place in May and is about 40 minutes south of Calistoga.

Go wine tasting

The birthplace of the American wine industry as we know it, you won't be at a loss for recognizable labels as you approach Calistoga. About 10 minutes from the vineyard sites for names such as Sterling, Rombauer, Beringer, Charles Krug and Duckhorn (to name a few), you could quite literally throw a small stone in any direction and hit a different renowned winery. That to be said, while there are plenty of big dogs who have claimed territory here, do not discount the boutique wineries that you will also come across in this region. A great way to explore these lesser-known wineries, at least to start, is by visiting a wine bar such as Vault Wine & Artifacts or Tank Garage Winery. These vibrant wine bars are full of life, from their decor to their wine lists, and offer an alternative approach to exploring this great wine region.

Indulge in world-class dining

You cannot be infamous for your wine and fall flat on your dining. For this reason, you will be hard-pressed to find a subpar meal. Solbar whispers gentle romance and refined elegance with a menu that offers a harmonious dichotomy between the delicate and the bold, which is only complimented by recommendations for beverage pairing by their sommelier. For your home-away-from-home, visit Bricco Osteria for as close to a home-cooked Italian meal as you can get on this side of the Atlantic. The owner of Bricco has a reputation for greeting guests as if they are family and, with melt-in-your-mouth flavors and generous portion sizes, it is easy to see why this is a top recommendation even from locals.