About CalistogaAbout Calistoga

Brief History: Incorporated as a town in 1885, Calistoga was founded by Samuel Brannan, California's first millionaire, who was fascinated by Calistoga's natural hot springs and purchased 2000 acres to develop a spa reminiscent of Saratoga, New York. His resort (originally located where Indian Springs Resort is today) opened to California's rich and famous in 1862. With the completion of the railroad in 1868, Calistoga became not only a destination but the transportation hub for the upper Napa Valley. The town's name comes from Brannan's tipsy malapropism that he would make this the Saratoga of California, which came out as the "Calistoga of Sarafornia."




Visitor Resources in zip code 94515:

Banks/ATM's:

Bank of America 1429 Lincoln Ave. Calistoga (707) 942-6238
Bank of the West 1317 Lincoln Ave. Calistoga (707) 942-6291
Cal Mart (ATM) 1491 Lincoln Ave. Calistoga (707) 942-6271
Wells Fargo Bank Business Office 1107 Main Street,St. Helena (707) 963-3000
Westamerica Bank 1110 Washington St. Calistoga (707) 942-7400

Hospitals:

St. Helena Hospital 650 Sanitarium Rd, Deer Park, CA (707) 963-3611.

The closest medical facility to Calistoga is St. Helena Hospital. To reach the hospital drive south towards St Helena on Highway29/128, turning left on Deer Park Road at the north edge of St Helena. Cross Silverado Trail and turn left on Sanitarium Rd proceeding about 1/2 mile to hospital on your right (the route is well marked).

Physicians:

The Vermeil House Medical Offices
Dr. Beverly Benson 913 Washington St, Calistoga (707) 942-6233

Optometrist:

Jean Neeley, OD 1220 Washington St, Calistoga (707) 942-4674

Dentists:

LeRoy Bowser, DDS 1619 Washington St, Calistoga (707) 942-4621
Gina Hitchcock, DMD 2436 Foothill Blvd, Suite A, Calistoga (707) 942-5177

Childcare:

Roe Nichols (707) 287-7591 (references available)
Nannies of the Valley: (707) 251-8035, Bethany@nanniesofthevalley.net

Internet Access:

Many local businesses offer open, free Wi-Fi in Calistoga; three of the most reliable are

Ask your local lodging or go to CalistogaWiFi.com

Library:

The Calistoga Public Library is located at 1108 Myrtle St. and is open 5 days a week (Mon-Thurs& Sat). Services include multi-station Internet access and on-line access to all Napa County Library materials.

Museum:

Calistoga's Sharpsteen Museum is dedicated to the history of the American emigration to the upper Napa Valley. It originated from the donation and design of Ben Sharpsteen, a Walt Disney Studio animator and producer whose grandparents were early settlers to the area. The Museum incorporates one of the cottages from Sam Brannan's historic resort. Exhibits include substantial dioramas depicting life in Calistoga in the 1800's, as well as material from the early residents including Donner Party survivors. The Museum is operated by the Sharpsteen Museum Association whose volunteers provide docent tours daily from 11am-4pm.

Parks/RV Parks/Golf Courses:

Pioneer Park and its playground (geared for kids from infants-12 years) is located at Cedar St and Elm, half a block north of Lincoln Avenue.  The park has picnic tables,  public restrooms and a drinking fountain. The path below the playground crosses the Napa River and leads directly to the town's historical museum, The Sharpsteen (see above listing).

Bothe-Napa State Park, 4 miles south of Calistoga on Hwy 29, has hiking and biking trails, tent & RV camping, the historic Bale Grist Mill and a public swimming pool. For information on hours and park fees, call 707-942-4575. Camping reservations: call 800-444-PARK or visit www.parks.ca.gov.

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park—this park has spectacular views from several hiking & mountain biking trails and is located 8 miles north of Calistoga on Hwy 29/Lake County Hwy. (parking lots on both sides of the road.)  One trail leads to a beautiful lookout and the site where author Robert Louis Stevenson and his bride Fanny lived in an abandoned mine shack in the 1860's which inspired his book "The Silverado Squatters."  Continue up the trail to reach the top of Mt. St. Helena for a breathtaking view of the valley and beyond.  The hike to the top of the mountain can take about 3 hours.  The Table Rock/Palisades Trail connects with the Oat Hill Mine Trail in Calistoga at Holmes Place (about 10 miles total length and is very strenuous.  We do not recommend the long hike on very hot days). Bring lots of water - there is NO drinkable water on the trail. For information, go to www.parks.ca.gov or call 707-942-4575.

RV/Golf:

The Napa County Fairgrounds is located at 1435 N Oak St and the Mt. St Helena Golf Course (9 holes) is located on the Fairgrounds with entrance from Grant St.

Public Transportation:

Calistoga is served by Route 10, Route 11, Calistoga HandyVan of the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency (Napa Valley VINE), and Route 3 of Lake County Transit. The Napa Valley VINE runs 7 days a week from Calistoga to Vallejo; call (707) 251-2800, 800-696-6443 or visit NapaValleyVINE.net.

From San Francisco & Marin, Golden Gate Transit (GoldenGateTransit.org) goes as far as Santa Rosa, where you can pick up a VINE bus to Calistoga (route operates Mon, Tues, Wed, Sat only). You can also take the ferry from San Francisco to Vallejo and take the VINE's route 10 to Calistoga.

There are also numerous wine tour companies available; click here for more information.

Statistics:

Population: 5,190 (2000 census).
Median age: 38.1
Area: 2.5 square miles, or 1,620 acres.
Location: 365 feet above sea level at Longitude W122°35', Latitude N38°35'.
Time zone: UTC-8, PST.
Distance from San Francisco: 75 miles
Part of the first Congressional District of California, represented by Mike Thompson (D)

In 2001, the National Trust selected Calistoga for Historic Preservation as one of twelve Distinctive Destinations.

Weather:

Calistoga is blessed by distinct seasons with a high proportion of sunny, smog-free days.Nights range from crisp and cool to pleasantly warm in the summer.Annual temperatures range from an average summer high of 92 to an average winter low of 36.Annual rainfall can reach 36 inches.