There’s a fire down below Calistoga that’s been attracting humans for centuries.
At the northern end of the Napa Valley, a mile or two underground – maybe deeper – water condenses and drips its way into a vast underground reservoir in a layer of fractured rock. Below that, perhaps another mile or more, molten magma swirls and bubbles, heating the water above until it begins to turn to steam. As the steam rises, it heats more water along the way and together the mixture races upward, looking for release.
At its most noticeable exit areas, such as the geyser just north of Calistoga, the heated concoction shoots above ground like a giant sub-service water pistol. The mixture of liquid and steam can reach 350 degrees Fahrenheit and catapult itself 40 feet or more into the air. The geyser is indeed a sight to behold but it isn’t the only show in town. For centuries, humans have made pilgrimages to natural hot springs and mud baths in the area, seeking the curative properties of heated water, minerals and mud.
Much of the mud in the area is infused with volcanic ash, said to be particularly effective in pulling toxins from the body. The Wappo Indians, living in the northern valley 8,000 years ago, bathed in the warm sulfur waters and may have used mud for its restorative values as well. The first Europeans in the area—the Spanish—did the same more than 300 years ago and called the area “Agua Caliente.”
Resorts began promoting mineral and mud baths in Calistoga more than a century and a half ago. Now more than two dozen spas and hot springs-centered resorts dot the landscape around Calistoga
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| 360 Salon and Day Spa
707-942-6188 |
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| Healing Place, A
707-942-4325 |
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| Andy b. esthetics
707-942-5404 |
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| Ava Motter Pilates
707-694-8913 |
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| Baths at Roman Spa
707-942-2122 |
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| Calistoga Goddess
707-942-0639 |
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| Calistoga Massage Center
707-942-6193 |
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| Calistoga Ranch
707-254-2800 |
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| Calistoga Spa Hot Springs
707-942-6269 |
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| Calistoga Village Inn & Spa
707-942-0991 |
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| China Sun Massage
707-942-0288 |
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| Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs Resort
707-942-4102 |
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| Eurospa & Inn
707-942-6829 |
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| Fitness First
707-942-5275 |
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| Golden Haven Hot Springs
707-942-8000 |
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| Indian Springs Resort
707-942-4913 |
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| Jill Hoff Pilates
707-396-2442 |
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| Julie's Hair and Nail Spa
707-942-1067 |
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| Lavender Hill Spa
707-942-4495 |
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| Lincoln Avenue Spa
707-942-5296 |
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| Mais Oui Massage & Spa Train
707-224-8500 |
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| Mount View Hotel & Spa
800-816-6877 |
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| Spa Solage
707-226-0800 |
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| Spa Tastic Massage & Wellness
7079424444 |
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| Special Occasion Massage
707-529-9422 |
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| The Hair Spa
707-942-5341 |
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| Xandra Smith CMT Mobile Massage
707-331-6629 |
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| Harbin Hot Springs
707-987-2477 |
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| Health Spa Napa Valley
707-967-8800 |
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| Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary
707-823-8231 |
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