Calistoga is the perfect addition to an extended Napa Valley trip or if you’ve already visited Napa Valley multiple times + want to venture further than Yountville or St Helena. This is your guide to the perfect day or overnight in the charming town of Calistoga.

If you’re visiting Napa Valley for the first time, we’d suggest you start with our Ultimate Girls’ Weekend in Napa, our Betches Travel Napa Valley Itinerary, or our comprehensive list + rating of every winery we’ve visited in Napa Valley HERE (don’t judge…).

For further information on when to visit or how to get there, check out our Napa Valley Guide!

Where to Stay:

The Bungalows at Calistoga: The Bungalows are the perfect spot if you are a couple or small girls’ trip looking to WFH or want a little more space than a hotel room would offer. They’re within walking distance of the downtown stretch which is ideal after a day of wine tasting + very Instagrammable (see for yourselves!)

Indian Springs: While we haven’t personally stayed at Indian Springs, it’s an absolutely stunning Spanish style spa/resort that is definitely on our list. If you’re visiting Calistoga with the intention of enjoying the mud baths + having a relaxing spa weekend with just a side of wine tasting, then we’d definitely splurge + stay here.

Where to Drink:

The most important part of any Napa Valley guide…where to drink. In this mini-guide, we’ll share our top two wineries + tasting room to hit in Calistoga - perfect for your day or overnight trip. We’ll also let you in on the winery that you should absolutely avoid (it’ll surprise you!)

Schramsberg Vineyard: OMG. A must visit (Lauren even joined the wine club). We’d definitely start your Calistoga wine tasting here - who doesn’t love to start their day with a flight of bubbly!? We visited in February 2021 with COVID restrictions in place, + it was hands down the best + most informative wine tasting experience we’ve had with restrictions. During non-COVID times, you’ll get the chance to tour their hand dug wine cave (it’s one of only three hand dug wine caves in the Valley!!).

Frank Family Vineyards: We were able to sit on their back deck (it’s maybe one of the most aesthetically furnished outdoor tastings we’ve done) + soak in the valley views all while enjoying some great wine. When we had our first sip of their chilled, crisp brut rose, we were in love. All of the wine here is so good + it’s a great transition from Schramsberg. We wouldn’t say this was the most informational tasting, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! Fun fact - the founder Rich Frank is the former President of Disney Studios!

Lawer Estates: This is a little tasting room in downtown Calistoga that makes it a great stop after your vineyard tastings. It’s also the most affordable (tastings start at $25) + you’ll get a very informative tasting + great priced wines if you want to take one home. They’re also in the process of expanding so depending on when you visit, they may have a vineyard tasting experience open! We loved it here so much, I signed up for their wine club!

Now for the bad…we had SO many recommendations to go to Castello di Amorosa + we were beyond disappointed. It’s so popular, it’s even listed in the Calistoga Wikipedia page. We will preface, we visited during COVID + there was a TV show filming at the time which very well could have impacted the tasting experience. However, even with that in mind, we found it to be extremely touristy, overcrowded + to top it off, the wine wasn’t even good. Save your $60 tasting fee + visit Schramsberg, Frank Family or Chateau Montelena (one recommended to us by locals!) instead.

Where to Eat:

Sam’s Social Club: If you’re looking for a brunch spot, this was our favorite for a traditional brunch in Calistoga. The food was fairly good, they have a large outdoor dining area + we could see it being very cute at dinner with all their string lights.

Sam’s General Store: If you want a quick breakfast or coffee, this is where we went almost every day in Calistoga. The GF avo toast was the best Lauren has ever had (the breakfast sandwich was also great!) + they offer mimosas to go if you’re still looking for brunch vibes. They have SO much outdoor seating, as well.

Calistoga Inn: We stopped in here for a drink + apps before continuing our wine tasting. It did the job, but we’d skip the charcuterie board here (trust). It had a great energy + was busy every night we were there.

Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch: Okay, okay, we know this is technically in St. Helena, but it was a quick drive from downtown Calistoga + we loved it! Would highly recommend the cheddar biscuits (reminded us of Acre…drool worthy!) + also both enjoyed the steak frites (our fave!)

Gott’s Roadside: Another one that is technically in St. Helena, but so close + a great affordable stop. They have multiple locations all over Napa Valley/The Bay so chances are wherever you are there’ll be one close by). Delicious burgers (they have GF + Impossible options!) as well as tacos, sandwiches, + more. Would highly recommend!

All in all, we’d definitely recommend Calistoga for an extension of a Napa Valley trip or for someone who has visited Napa Valley a few times before. Otherwise, we’d stick a little closer to Rutherford, St. Helena, or Yountville. What’s your favorite town in Napa Valley??