There are endless possibilities for three day trips incorporating a variety of interests which include two nights in Calistoga as a home base. Here are several seasonal suggestions to get you started.


SPRING — Romantic Hiking, Biking and Ballooning Getaway

Mendocino: see breathtaking drama with a hike along the Mendocino coast (www.gomendo.com).  Enjoy the gorgeous drive and small wineries on Hwy 128 through Anderson Valley before arriving in Calistoga for couples mudbath and massage treatments at a historic hot springs resort such as Calistoga Spa, Dr. Wilkinson's or Indian Springs. Sample a luxurious "mudslide cocktail" treatment at Solage Calistoga, the newest resort and spa in town, or a day spa such as Lavender Hill or Lincoln Avenue Spa. Nestle into your own cottage with a fireplace and jacuzzi tub at Cottage Grove Inn or Christopher's Inn.  

Calistoga: test your biking skill on the Oat Hill Mine Trail with a stunning view of town (www.calistogabikeshop.com), then enjoy dinner in one of Calistoga's romantic restaurants (Brannan's Grill, All Seasons, Calistoga Inn, SolBar or Wappo Bar & Bistro). Take a hot air balloon ride the next morning (www.calistogaballoons.com) before shopping for a gourmet picnic lunch (Cal Mart Deli, Palisades Deli, Buster's Barbecue, Nicola's Deli or Kitani Sushi) to take to Robert Louis Stevenson State Park for a vigorous hike; www.bahiker.com. Hear jazz & blues while tasting great wines at Mustard Mud & Music (first weekend in March), which turns downtown Calistoga into one big jazz club.

SUMMMER — Art & Wine Lovers' Tour

San Francisco: Start at the Museum of Modern Art, www.SFMOMA.com; rent an environmentally friendly ZipCar to head north over the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge; www.zipcar.com. On the way through Napa, view Donald Hess's world-class modern art at The Hess Collection, housed in a historic 1903 winery. www.hesscollection.com.  Glorious vineyards surround you at an elegant B&B such as Chateau de Vie.

Calistoga: Enjoy the dramatic beauty of Calistoga's two most distinctive wineries, Sterling Winery (www.sterlingwinery.com) where you arrive by tram to taste award-winning wines and admire the scenery. Head next to Castello di Amorosa, (www.castellodiamorosa.com), a 120,000 square foot faithfully built Medieval-style castle on the opposite hill, complete with moat, great hall, dungeon and barrel cellars. Peruse Calistoga's many art galleries (Youngman Gallery, Main Element, Galleria Ca'Toga, Hardin Gallery and Global Village) to make a discovery of your own. 

Calistoga: Admire the newest mural by Carlo Marchiori or tour his one-of-a-kind home, Villa Ca'Toga.  Meet local artists at an Art Walk reception and show. Drink in the glory of Clos Pegase, designed by Michael Graves and featuring Jan Shrem's modern art collection; www.clospegase.com. At Art In The Park, Calistoga's best artists show their latest works at Pioneer Park (3rd Saturday in June). www.calistogaartcenter.org

FALL — Foodies' Delight

San Francisco: begin your trip with lunch at Greens, the world-renowned vegetarian restaurant. www.greensrestaurant.com. On your arrival in Calistoga, visit Chateau Montelena Winery, (www.chateaumontelena.com), the historic winery which won The Judgement of Paris international wine tasting competition in 1976.

Calistoga: Expand your culinary repertoire with a cooking class at CasaLana B&B( www.casalana.com), Wine Way Inn (www.winewayinn.com) or a cooking demonstration at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone (www.ciachef.edu/california).  Take a picnic to Bennett Lane Winery to admire the spectacular view and wonderful wines.

Napa: A day trip to COPIA Center for Wine, Food and the Arts; www.copia.org before returning to Calistoga for a memorable dinner (Bar Vino, SolBar, Bosko's Trattoria, Flatiron Grill, Soo Yuan, Café Pacifico, Miguel's or JoLe, Calistoga's newest restaurant).

WINTER — Family Fun

Santa Rosa: From the Santa Rosa Airport, take a 10 minute drive to see "Peanuts" history at the Charles Schultz Museum and skate at "Snoopy's Home Ice" next door at Redwood Empire Ice Rink; www.schultzmuseum.org and www.snoopyshomeice.com.  Book a room at a hotel with a hot mineral pool, and the whole family can soak, swim and relax no matter the weather (Dr. Wilkinson's, Calistoga Spa, Roman Spa or Solage Calistoga).

Calistoga: Witness "Old Faithful," Calistoga's geyser in action, tour Safari West (the only place you can see cheetahs, giraffes and zebras roam free in wine country) or see Calistoga history come alive at the Sharpsteen Museum. www.sharpsteenmuseum.org. Enjoy a family-friendly lunch at Checkers or Bosko's, shop downtown (let the kids find the bees at Hurd's Beeswax Candles) and bundle up to watch Santa drive a tractor festooned with lights down main street at Calistoga's Lighted Tractor Parade (first Saturday in December);

Calistoga & St. Helena: At Bothe Napa Valley State Park: see North America's biggest wheel in action at the Bale Grist Mill, take a hike in the redwoods (www.parks.ca.gov) and enjoy a movie at the charming Cameo Cinema in St. Helena.