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Calistoga, California: Winter Hot Spot

This Napa Valley town keeps the cold at bay with steamy pools and great food and wine.

picture of downtown Calistoga with bikes in the foreground
Discover sleepy Calistoga, just north of Napa Valley. 
Luz Rosa / Shutterstock

At the top of Napa Valley, this little town is the perfect place to beat the winter chill with rejuvenating hot springs, soothing spa treatments, warm restaurants, and friendly wineries, all set against a backdrop of grapevines and wooded mountains.

If a little relief and relaxation is all you want, Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa and Resort offers one of the best deals in town: day use of the hot mineral pool and dual Jacuzzis plus a half-hour massage, all for for $65 Monday through Thursday.

At Mount View Hotel & Spa Napa Valley, the Winter Restoration Special includes two 50 minute Be Restored Massages with one night in a Mount View Hotel Suite.

fire pit burns in front of entrance to bathhouse at Solage spa in Calistoga, California, picture

A fire welcomes guests to the Solage Calistoga bathhouse.

Chris Gramly

Along with its signature “mudslide”—a three-part twist on the traditional detoxifying mud bath—Solage Calistoga boasts several special body treatments. Our favorite is the 135-minute head-to-toe treatment, complete with a full-body exfoliation, scalp treatment and massage, and shea butter foot rub.

Chef Gustavo Rios puts a farm-to-table spin on California cuisine at Michelin-starred Solbar on Solage’s 22-acre property, serving standouts that include Liberty Farms duck breast with brussel sprouts and Niman Ranch lamb shoulder with broccoli rabe.

A visit to appointment-only winery Tamber Bey at Sundance Ranch, a world-class equestrian training facility, is worth the advance planning, whether you choose the tasting paired with savory cookies or opt for the walking tour, which includes a visit with the resident horses.

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This article was first published in November 2014 and updated in March 2019.