Travelers looking for a relaxing vacation in Wine Country should pay attention to the small town of Calistoga. Visitors to Napa Valley’s most northern city can mingle with farmers, grape growers, winemakers, and locals just by walking down the street or stopping by one of the many restaurants or tasting rooms the town has to offer. Sipping wine and relaxing by a geothermal mineral pool are the main attractions, but charming Calistoga has much more to offer.

Staying in Calistoga

Calistoga hotels focus on relaxation. Many boast heated mineral pools warmed from the rich mineral water that runs below the town and on-site spa offerings for ultimate rejuvenation without leaving the property.

Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs

1507 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-4102

The recently renovated Dr. Wilkinson‘s perfectly blends nostalgic charm with a hip vibe and modern amenities. This modernized retreat offers everything needed for a perfect Calistoga getaway, including luxe rooms with plush bedding and mid-century decor; mouthwatering food and drink at the on-site restaurant, House of Better; healing mineral pools; and a plethora of restorative treatments at the spa. Opt for the signature mud treatment for a true Calistoga experience.

The Inn on Pine

1202 Pine Street, Calistoga, California 94515, (707) 942-6829

The Inn on Pine is surrounded by vineyards but is only a few minutes walk to downtown Calistoga. It offers 13 rooms outfitted with Wine Country inspired decor and plush beds, alongside in-room fireplaces and soaking tubs. Take a dip in their on-site hot tub, or pay a visit to their dry sauna for a relaxing way to end the day.

Wine Tasting in Calistoga

Calistoga is home to wineries of all sizes, and we have a feeling you’ll love tasting your way around this northern part of the Valley.

Bennett Lane

3340 Hwy CA-128, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-6684

Known for offering friendly service with its wines, Bennett Lane tasting room offers a variety of tasting experiences, including the Estate Tour Experience where a personal wine expert will lead you around the vineyards, as well as through a tasting of four Bennett Lane wines. If you’re a Cab Sauv lover, you might also be interested in the Ruby Fox Tasting which focuses on two of their Ruby Fox Cabernet Sauvignon vintages.

Frank Family Vineyards

1091 Larkmead Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-0859

Set within the winery’s original Craftsman house is Frank Family Vineyards’ tasting room, where seated tasting experiences include samples of current release still and sparkling wines—many of which are exclusive to the winery. If Cabernet Sauvignon is your preferred varietal, don’t miss the Wines of Winston Hill Tasting, highlighting single vineyard Cabernets. For something slightly more elevated, book an experience in the winery’s chic new Miller House.

Tamber Bey

1251 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-2100

You’ll notice something a little different about Tamber Bey as soon as you arrive. This winery is home to not only beautiful wines but also beautiful horses! Tamber Bey is a family-run operation of equestrian lovers through and through and their hardwork and dedication comes through in their wide variety of wine offerings. Book their Courtyard Experience which lets you choose your tasting flight of vineyard-designated wines or dig a little deeper in the Collector’s Tasting, a private experience geared towards collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Brunch in Calistoga

Calistoga brunch is a must for visitors looking to go wine tasting in the afternoon. Many restaurants are open for brunch on weekdays, as well as weekends.

Cafe Sarafornia

1413 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515 (707) 942-0555

Cafe Sarafornia serves a traditional diner breakfast with a Wine Country twist. Seasonal dishes such as the Brannan Benedict—two poached eggs, avocado, bacon, and their very own gravy sauce on an English muffin—grace the menu, and portions are big, so bring your appetite.

Solbar

755 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 226-0800

Solbar is a Michelin-recognized hotel restaurant and bar that is trendy yet approachable. Guests are treated to farm-fresh, seasonal ingredients, from breakfast to late-night lounge snacks. While the interior of the restaurant is beautifully designed, it’s hard to beat starting your day with an al fresco meal on the expansive patio. At night, it’s also the place to be to enjoy the 20-foot long fire pit.

Lunchtime in Calistoga

If you are planning early morning or evening adventures in Calistoga, there are no shortage of places to grab a bite to eat midday.

Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery

1250 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-4101

The Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery is for travelers who are looking for a casual lunch and a place to grab a beer (refreshing after a day of wine tasting). The outdoor patio with fire pits stretches along the Napa River and all the beer is made in the historic water tower.

Sam’s Social Club

1712 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-4913

Sam’s Social Club is a favorite stop for brunch, lunch, and dinner in the Calistoga restaurant scene, known for its thoughtfully composed seasonal comfort foods. Stop by between wine tastings to try their Seared Ora King Salmon Sandwich or Pork Schnitzel.

Dinner in Calistoga

After a day of exploring northern Napa Valley, it’s time to kick back, relax, and savor the many amazing flavors of the region.

Evangeline

1226 Washington Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 341-3131

Evangeline is casual French fare with a Creole twist. Tables are mostly patio seating, so make sure to bring layers when dining here, but it’s worth it to enjoy an al fresco evening sipping an Old Fashioned and noshing on Fried Pickles, Steak Frites, and savory Gumbo Yaya.

Lovina

1107 Cedar Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-6500

The sign “Great Food” outside their small patio isn’t just good marketing, it’s a promise to guests to expect nothing but delicious eats at Lovina. Formerly known as the Calistoga Kitchen, Lovina dishes up heart-warming comfort food with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Stop in for dinner (or brunch!) and dig in to a basket of warm sourdough with kale, pistachio pesto butter with their famed Wine Forest Risotto, and if you happen to stop by on a Wednesday night, enjoy discounted bottles of wine from their extensive list of Napa favorites and no corkage fees.

Adventures in Calistoga

There is much more to Calistoga than wine tasting. Travelers from all over the world visit here to experience the mineral pools, unique sites, and bountiful Wine Country shopping.

Plan to visit Safari West, a 400-acre wildlife sanctuary outside of Calistoga. Where else can you find giraffes, antelope, and lemurs in Wine Country? They also offer glamping, for a more comprehensive outdoorsy experience.

Also worth checking out is the Old Faithful Geyser of California, located just north of downtown Calistoga. Get up close and personal as the geyser erupts every 20 to 30 minutes.

Downtown has many local shops with unique gifts. Walk along Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga’s main street, and experience shops owned by locals including Ca’Toga Galleria D’Arte and Copperfield’s Books.

As we enter the midst of the busy holiday season, a corporate retreat may be on the horizon, if not now then in the coming year. But, transforming it into a delightful experience without the usual work stress is key.

Imagine bike tours, cooking classes, tastings, and hassle-free transport. These are essentials for a remarkable business journey disguised as a Wine Country tour. Below, we’ve curated our top selections for a corporate retreat in Napa Valley, offering the ideal opportunity to activate that ‘Out of Office’ notification.

Taste the Good Life in Napa Valley

For something outside the ordinary, explore A Wine & Dine Event. They have been providing exclusive itineraries for discerning corporate clients and luxury leisure travelers since 1990. The details are alluring, the seduction is rich, and the hospitality is cultured. Their unique services include private wine tours, one-of-a-kind special events and conference planning, superb team building, winery cave dinners, luxury lodging, and transportation logistics. Celebrate, explore, and rejuvenate in the Wine Country. Join them for a crash course in the good life.

Insider Tip: Think you’ve been there, done that in Napa? Think again! When was the last time you kayaked blindfolded racing to a wine tasting?

3240 Soda Canyon Road, Napa, CA 94558, (707) 963-8930

Explore Wine Country by Bike or Kayak

Have a corporate group on the adventurous side? Getaway Adventures is the perfect antidote! For groups large or small, Getaway Adventures specializes in creating the perfect team-building activity, including bike rides, kayak trips, and hiking adventures, along with scavenger hunts, wine blending, and more. It’s a great way for your group to bond while exploring the best of Wine Country.

Insider Tip: Getaway Adventures has been in business since 1991 and has excellent relationships with local wineries and hotels, plus all employees and guides are local to the area. Looking for tips? Just ask.

61 Front St, Healdsburg, CA 95448 (800) 499-2453

Hitch a Ride to Fantastic Wineries

Leaving your planning in the hands of MG Concierge means your winery dinners, tours, and transportation will be planned fully without any detail overlooked. Special tastings and tours are offered exclusively to MG Concierge clients and include Handwritten Wines, Frank Family Vineyards, Jessup Cellars, and many more.
.

Insider Tip: Consider contacting MG Concierge before booking any accommodations. With local connections, they may be able to get an exclusive deal for you and your team.

1621 Pear Tree Lane, Napa, CA 94558, (707) 304-0721

Choose Your Own Adventure

Balloon rides, tours galore, AND transport to and from the airport make Beau Wine Tours something of a one-stop shop. For those in your group fresh to the Napa Valley scene, a two-day introductory tour that stops in your choice of Los Carneros or Oak Knoll plus Yountville, the Stags Leap District, and St Helena will appeal to visitors looking to dip their toes into the winemaking world. If your group is already well-versed in wines and wineries within this area, take the plunge with the Diamond Mountain District Wine Tours, immersing visitors in the making of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Insider Tip: In addition to wine preferences, let your driver know of your culinary preferences—they know most of the hot spots in the area and can find the right fit for you and your team.

Sonoma Location: 21707 8th Street E, Suite A, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 938-8001
Napa Location: 1754 Second Street, Suite B, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 257-0887

Team Build in Style

Making sure you have room to transport everyone around Napa Valley is essential for a company outing. Aside from providing quality charter services, including luxury limos and coaches, Napa Valley Tours & Transportation can also arrange the perfect team building activity, from helping you find the perfect location to planning and executing fun activities to boost morale. Whether it’s a cooking class, a wine tour, or a custom experience tailored to your company, you’ll rest easy knowing you and your business are in good hands.

Insider Tip: Have corporate members arriving from multiple locations? The company can also coordinate airport transfer services to ensure everyone arrives to their destinations on time.

190 Camina Oruga #17, Napa, CA 94558, (707) 339-1108

A Touch of Glamour in Wine Country

Limos and wine tours are one way to wow your employees, but for something super unique, consider a ride aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. Not only is the Napa Valley Wine Train a fun way to explore the region, but it’s one of the most elegant ways to savor the wine and food of Wine Country–all without leaving the comforts of the train. Depending on the size of your group, you’ll even get your own private train car.

Insider Tip: The Napa Valley Wine Train can accommodate groups of any size, from four people at a private table to full buy-outs of the train for 300 people.

1275 McKinstry Street, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 253-2111