Upper Napa Valley: Heart of the Wine Country - Calistoga CA Weekend Getaway

Preview: “Up valley,” as the northern half of the Napa Valley is called, is anchored by Calistoga, a hot springs resort town founded in the 1840s. Steam rises from 200-degree mineral springs at a dozen or so health resorts; some are scatterings of historic clapboard cottages with simple facilities, whereas others are Roman-style spas with luxurious lodgings. This is the place for rest and rejuvenation, for massages, mud baths, beauty treatments, and slow swims in warm pools. The mud-bath experience must be tried, at least once; be warned that après mud bath you won’t feel like moving for quite a spell. As you drive to Calistoga, through the valley bordered by the Mayacamas Range on the west and the Howell Mountain Range on the east, the tremendous variety of Napa Valley soils and microclimates becomes evident. It’s fun to try the diverse wines produced from grapes grown on the dry hillsides, those from the valley floor, and especially the wines from grapes grown on the “benches,” the alluvial fans of soil and rocks eroded down from the mountainsides into triangles of rich bedding for vineyards whose grapes have produced wines besting the best in France. Besides wine tasting and hot-bath soaking “up valley,” there’s tons of shopping to do in St. Helena, plus biking, hiking, golfing, and ballooning; perhaps you’ll be forced to return for another weekend or two. Highlights include: hot springs, art galleries, a winery architecture tour, shopping, mud baths, and a vineyard picnic. The detailed itinerary in this chapter is a driving tour that features extensive recommendations for sightseeing attractions, recreational activities, lodging, restaurants, shopping, and more.
© Copyright Karen Misuraca published by Insiders' Guide all rights reserved.


Duration: Two nights
This travel guide comes from:
Quick Escapes: San Francisco Guide Book