Major city · United States
Calistoga
Base here 2 nights if you want mud baths and hot springs plus a winery or two on foot; skip it as a day trip from Napa — 35 min each way eats the day.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, 35°C+), Nov–Mar (rain, some closures)avoid Jul–Aug (heat, 95°F+), Nov–Mar (rain, some closures)
- Airports
- STS · OAK · SFO · SMF
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Calistoga sits at the top of Napa Valley, 35 min north of St. Helena and about 90 min from San Francisco. It is a small spa town: two crossing streets, hot springs and mud baths, and wineries within a bike ride. It is the quiet, walkable end of the valley, and the most expensive per night.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Calistoga, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a tourist town; the real risks are heat in summer, smoke in fire season, and drinking wine then driving — use a driver or the bike path.
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSTS Charles M.
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Sit-down mealDinner main$25–55
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich$12–18
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi or rideshare3.1 mi taxi or rideshare$15–25
- Museum or sight ticketBothe-Napa Valley State Park entry, per vehicle$5
- Budget bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- Mid-range bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$220
- High-end bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$120 · Mid US$250 · High US$450
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- STS Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County (Santa Rosa) (Closest airport, about 20–40 min by car; Alaska Airlines flights from Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, Seattle.) · OAK Oakland International (About 80–110 min by car.) · SFO San Francisco International (About 90–120 min by car.) · SMF Sacramento International (About 90–120 min by car.)
Weather and climate
Calistoga: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C59°F
3°C37°F
11 rd
Feb
17°C63°F
4°C39°F
10 rd
Mar
19°C66°F
5°C41°F
10 rd
Apr
22°C72°F
6°C43°F
6 rd
May
26°C79°F
9°C48°F
4 rd
Jun
30°C86°F
11°C52°F
1 rd
Jul
33°C91°F
12°C54°F
0 rd
Aug
33°C91°F
12°C54°F
0 rd
Sep
31°C88°F
11°C52°F
1 rd
Oct
26°C79°F
8°C46°F
4 rd
Nov
19°C66°F
5°C41°F
8 rd
Dec
15°C59°F
3°C37°F
11 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. Almost everything is on Lincoln Avenue and Washington Street, 5–10 min apart. Rent a bike at the Calistoga Bike Shop for wineries on Dunaweal Lane — a car-free path runs from the east end of Washington Street to Dunaweal Lane. A car is needed for the geyser, Petrified Forest and state parks.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
St. Helena
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive or bike Highway 29 south, about 15 min
More wineries and the Bale Grist Mill on the way; go early for parking.
Rutherford
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive Highway 29 south, about 25 min
Combine with St. Helena in one loop.
Yountville
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive Highway 29 south, about 35 min
Best for a splurge dinner; book weeks ahead.
Napa
cautionDoor to door: About 50 min
Drive Highway 29 south, about 40 min; Vine bus from Calistoga
A full day with traffic; the bus is slow but avoids parking.
Oakville
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Drive Highway 29 south, about 30 min
Small tasting rooms; pair with Rutherford.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lincoln Avenue (downtown)
Shops, restaurants, bars and most spas on one street; walk everywhere. Best for a 1–2 night spa stay.
Washington Street
Crosses Lincoln; Calistoga Spa Hot Springs and Roman Spa are here, 3–5 min walk from Lincoln.
Silverado Trail / Highway 29 edges
Resorts with parking and pools (Solage, Indian Springs area); you need a car or a 15–25 min walk to town.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $120–180 excl. bed
- Mid
- $200–320 excl. bed
- High
- $400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or B&B double room1 × 2 nights × US$220 | US$440 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$250 | US$1,000 |
| Mud bath and mineral pool, one person2 × US$150 | US$300 |
| Wine tasting, one winery2 × US$45 | US$90 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × US$50 | US$100 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$197 |
| Trip total≈ US$542 per person per day, bed included | US$2,167 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Deli sandwich | $12–18 |
| Mud bath and soak | $100–200 |
| Wine tasting | $30–60 |
| Dinner main | $25–55 |
| 5 km taxi or rideshare | $15–25 |
| Bothe-Napa Valley State Park entry, per vehicle | $5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer afternoons hit 35°C+; do spa and wine tastings midday and hike early.Summer afternoons hit 95°F+; do spa and wine tastings midday and hike early.
- Open alcohol is allowed in town parks but not on city streets.
- Wine tasting adds up fast: many tastings are $30–60 per person, so pick two wineries, not five.
- Wildfire smoke can cancel outdoor plans in Aug–Oct; check air quality before booking a hike.
- Bothe-Napa Valley and Robert Louis Stevenson state parks have limited parking and no drinking water at Stevenson — bring your own.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CalistogaCalistoga
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Calistoga; consulates-general are in San Francisco (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- STS airport → Calistoga, taxi or rideshare: $60–90, 20–40 min (check)
- Calistoga → Napa, Vine bus: about $5, 50–70 min (check)
- Calistoga → San Francisco, drive: 90–120 min via Highway 101 and Highway 37
Say or show
- Where is the hot spring? — Where is the hot spring?
- I have a reservation — I have a reservation
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there a tasting fee? — Is there a tasting fee?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Thank you — Thank you
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Calistoga. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, 35°C+), Nov–Mar (rain, some closures) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for STS, OAK, SFO and SMF: last transfers, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Lincoln Avenue, Washington Street, Dunaweal Lane wineries.
- Place pages with verified hours and prices (Old Faithful Geyser, Petrified Forest, Sharpsteen Museum, Castello di Amorosa).
- Fire-season fixtures so smoke days can go red and reroute to indoor tastings.
Sources
- officialCity of Calistoga
- officialVisit Napa Valley
- officialCalifornia State Parks — Bothe-Napa Valley
- officialOld Faithful Geyser of California
- secondaryWikivoyage: Calistoga, revision 5326314 (CC BY-SA 4.0)