Things to do in Napa Valley | Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa

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Day Excursions, Outdoor Activities

Couple overlooking Oat Mill Mine Trail

Picnic Along Oat Hill Mine Trail

Sure, maybe you didn’t come to Calistoga to break a sweat. But if you came to enjoy the view, you’ll find plenty to see along the Oat Hill Mine Trail—and plenty of spots to stop for a scenic picnic. What opened in 1893 as a route connecting mercury mines that stretched from Calistoga to Aetna Springs (you can still spot the ruts made by wagon wheels along its volcanic rocky road), the 8.3-mile hike meanders along ancient lakes, brush-covered hillsides, and one of the best views of Nappa Valley at 1,500 feet.

Day Excursions

Active Wine Adventures

If you’re looking to experience a side of Napa Valley you may not have seen, contact our friend Sorel Klein of Active Wine Adventures. An avid outdoorsman and bon vivant, Sorel will lead you on tours that mix hiking, art, and literary legends with wine and beer.

Wineries

Quixote Winery

Quixote is a boutique gem in the Stags Leap District, about a half-hour south of the Lodge. Quirky, whimsical, irreverent, the winery was designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who was thinking green before Green Architecture and LEED certification were even on the horizon. Be dazzled by the colors and curves of this charming building, but stay for the killer wines and hospitality.

Wineries

Lava Vine & Von Strasser Winery

Rudy Von Strasser has played an integral role in the development of Diamond
Mountain District AVA. Their portfolio of world class wines extends to Lava Vine’s lesser known varietals. Right behind our motel.

Wineries

Chateau Montelena Winery

One of the most famous wineries in Napa Valley This French chateau with beautiful gardens and pond won the 1976 Paris tasting, and was featured in the movie “Bottle Shock”.

Wineries

Bennett Lane Winery

Surrounded by vineyards with a gorgeous view of the Palisades Mts, the wines are rich and juicy.

Wineries

Tank Garage Winery

Retro-cool décor, plus some of Napa’s most interesting bottles.

Wineries

Schramsberg Vineyards

Founders, Jack and Jamie Davies have been running this winery since 1965. The 1965 Blanc de Blancs came to be, and would be the first commercial use of Chardonnay in American sparkling wine.

Gym/Fitness Studio

Calistoga Fit

Great trainers, great classes.

Art Galleries

Ca’toga Galleria D’Arte

Featuring the exclusive works of Carlo Marchiori, world-renowned artist who offers an enormous variety of creations, including ceiling murals, porcelain, ceramics, paintings, sculpture, furniture, watercolor, tiles, stone plaques, accessories, books, cards, posters and more.

Art Galleries

The Gallery at Indian Springs

If you curious to see what the high mineral content of our hot springs does to plumbing, this gallery has beautiful art pieces using the crystallized pipes.

Art Galleries

Carlo Marchiori Art Studio

Carlo Marchiori is a famous Italian painter who mixes imagination with tradition. Check out his classically-based phallus sculptures – yes, for real, well, not that kind of real. Carlos is also famous for huge murals at Belagio and Venetian in Vegas, but he also did the mural in the alley in downtown Calistoga.

Art Galleries

The Carmel Gallery in Calistoga

The Carmel Galleries feature a stunning collection of fine art landscape photography by Olof & Elizabeth Carmel, along with a unique and exciting collection of sculpture, woodwork, jewelry, glass art and home décor.

Shopping

Calistoga Farmers Market

A Certified Farmers’ Market every Saturday at the Sharpsteen Plaza on Washington Street in downtown Calistoga. Market offers a variety of farm fresh produce and food purveyors. There are also a variety of crafters and live music. (proprietary website)

Restaurants & Bars

Susie’s Bar

Enduring local watering hole with draft beers, local wines & specialty cocktails, plus pool tables.

Restaurants & Bars

Sam’s Social Club

Upscale New American fare in a bright eatery with a fireplace, a bar for local drinks & a patio.

Restaurants & Bars

Busters Original Southern BBQ

Popular roadside window doling out Southern-style smoked meats & sides, with indoor/outdoor seating.

Restaurants & Bars

Hydro Grill

Hydro Bar & Grill offers a cozy atmosphere, lunch specials and a full bar. Featuring live music on the weekends, the grill offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Patrons love the casual atmosphere and reasonable prices – and the location in downtown Calistoga can’t be beat! Whether coming in for a casual brunch or a hearty dinner – Hydro Bar & Grill can accommodate all tastes. Be sure to try the burger and stay for the nightlife!

Restaurants & Bars

Checkers Restaurant

Understated cafe with simple, modern decor offering Italian basics, including pasta & pizza.

Restaurants & Bars

Bella Bakery

Bella Bakery offers delicious baked goods as well as homemade English muffins to create delightful breakfast sandwiches. Cookies, brownies, cupcakes – Bella Bakery covers them all and does it right. Stop in for a cup of tea or coffee for your morning but don’t pass up on their case of scrumptious treats to go along with your beverage. Providing warm service and a host of pastry options – you can’t go wrong with any of the tasty choices here.

Restaurants & Bars

Calistoga Roastery

Offering a full array of in-house freshly baked scones, muffins, croissants and danish. Homemade granola, bagels with all the fixings, breakfast sandwiches and of course full espresso bar, smoothies, and the home of the bottomless cup of fresh roasted coffee.

Day Excursions

Safari West

Nestled on 400 acres in the heart of California’s wine country, Safari West is home for over 400 exotic mammals and birds. Not a zoo, not a drive-through park, it’s a wildlife preserve where the whole family can experience some of nature’s most beautiful animals in a natural habitat. An extraordinary world where people have the rare opportunity to feel the spirit of Africa, right in the heart of northern California’s wine country.

Day Excursions

Old Faithful Geyser of California

Small, scenic geyser back-dropped by palms & mountains, plus a gift shop with locally made goods.

Day Excursions

Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park

Built in 1846, this water-powered mill served Napa Valley’s farmers who brought their wheat grain and dried corn to the mill to be ground into flour and meal. Bale Grist Mill has one of the largest water wheels in the country and still mills grain the old-fashioned way! Visitors can take home organic wheat flour, cornmeal or polenta.

Day Excursions

Petrified Forest

A number of huge redwoods in this forest point away from Mount St. Helena, which once erupted violently.

Day Excursions

Napa Valley Wine Train

The Napa Valley Wine Train provides a relaxing three-hour, thirty-six mile round-trip journey from the historic town of Napa, through one of the world’s most well known wine valleys to the quaint village of St. Helena, and back.Guests aboard the Wine Train enjoy a freshly prepared lunch or dinner inside a fully restored 1917 Pullman Dining Car or 1952 Vista Dome car as they pass the vineyards and wineries of Napa Valley.

Outdoor Activities

Oat Hill Mine Trail

(Bike+Hike+Picnic+Sunrise) 8.3 miles. 1,900 feet. Dog, horse or mountain bike 10
friendly. Medium grade, this fantastic trail offers stunning valley views right from the get-go. It leads all the way to Robert Louis Stevenson, but, well, you’d have to camp overnight it’s that far. But, in about two hours you’ll be at the top where the wagon wheel ruts are still carved into the trail from the mining years. And, you’ll also see parts off the remaining mining camp.

Outdoor Activities

Robert Louis Stevenson

(Hike+Bike) 5 miles. The state part is located between the Napa & Lake County
lines about 8 miles from Calistoga, and offers a 5 mile hike to the summit of Mount 11
St. Helena from which much of the Bay Area can be seen on clear days. Rough terrain with evergreen forests in the canyons on north facing slopes, and chaparral on the south facing slopes.

Outdoor Activities

Trails at Bothe Napa Valley

(Hike+Walk+Picnic) 1.5-4.5 miles. Located about 4.5 miles from Calistoga, it’s a great hiking or picnic location. It contains the farthest inland coast redwoods in 12 California state parks, and offers a variety of year-round walking and hiking trails.

Outdoor Activities

Bennett Lane Loop

(Walk + Run) 3.8 miles. This is a great loop on flat terrain surrounded by vineyards with beautiful views of the Paliisades Mts.