CALISTOGA, CALIFORNIA

*PLEASE NOTE - Calistoga was evacuated due to the devastating California wildfires week of October 9th.  Please be patent on responses as businesses are reopening week of October 16th*

Calistoga is a small, historical town that sits at the northern part of Napa Valley and is known for its hot springs, wineries, great restaurants and relaxed charm. Accommodations in Calistoga are a mix of small hotels and inns, resorts and B&B’s and are about 10 minutes from the wedding location.  Checking out more lodging detail here.  

We also encourage everyone to check out the Calistoga Visitor Center just off Lincoln St. at Washington St.  Tons of information and things like 2 for 1 winery tastings!  #dealsondeals

Getting There

FLYING

San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Calistoga is a little less than 2 hours north of SFO. Offers many direct flights across the country.

Oakland International Airport (OAK): Calistoga is about 1 1/2 hours north of OAK. It offers more regional flights than SFO.

DRIVING

If you are flying into SFO or OAK, you will need to drive to Calistoga.

From San Francisco, either:

• Take 101 North and get off on exit 494 for River Road toward Guerneville.
• Take 101 North, exit at 460A onto CA-37, turn left onto 29N / CA-121N.  If you have a few minutes extra to spare, this drive is beautiful and goes through wine country!

From Oakland:

• Take I-880 North to the I-80E, exit CA-37 West, then exit CA-29 and turn right, and enjoy the drive through Napa Valley.

*Traffic in the Bay Area can vary greatly hour to hour, so we suggest using Google Maps or Waze to find the fastest route.

Wine Tasting

Restaurants

Wineries

• For the History - Chateau Montelena Winery: One of the oldest wineries in Napa Valley, Chateau Montelena is known for its Chardonnays – not to mention the beautiful gardens with its stunning castle.  Chateau Montelena is also most famous for winning the white wine section of the historic "Judgment of Paris" wine competition.
• For the Bubbles – Schramsberg Vineyards: Another historic winery, this winery has caves with stacks upon stacks of amazing bubbly.
• For the View – Sterling Vineyards: With approachable wines and a walking tour, this is the only winery that has a gondola that takes you 300ft up the mountain for 360 views of Napa Valley.
• For the Unexpected – Romeo Vineyards: A quaint tasting room on Lincoln Avenue (center of Calistoga) this tasting room is small, but has some of the most surprising and remarkable wines.  Mention Kennedy/Green Wedding for a 2 for 1 tasting!
• For the Grandeur – Castillo di Amarosa: Dario Sattui's authentically-built 13th century Tuscan castle and winery. Sattui, also owns and operates the V. Sattui Winery.
• For the Horses – Tamber Bey: The wines are produced at the Sundance Ranch, a world-class equestrian facility in Calistoga that is home to the winery. Sundance Ranch is also home to the Waittes’ Arabian endurance race horses. These horses compete in races covering 50 to 100 miles, and are ridden by Waitte and his wife Jennifer, who is the trainer of these wonderful horses.  The red blends are killer too!  
• For the Caves – Kelly Fleming or Joseph Cellars (Both by appointment only).
• For the Cabs – Bennett Lane Winery has garnered an incredible total of 42 90+ Point wines from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate  
• For the Chardonnay - Frank Family Vineyards: If you know Leslie, you know she loves her buttery chards.  And this is the spot! Reputation as a world-class producer of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons & Chardonnays.

Tasting Rooms - Most in downtown calistoga

• Vermeil Wines: Um yes, that’s right Dick Vermeil.  Go birds! 
• T-Vine: Reds-only vineyard, known for their juicy Zinfandels and hospitable service.
• Tank Garage Winery: Tank Garage Winery comes to life in a 1930s era gas station in the Napa Valley town of Calistoga, California. An area graced with world-class vineyards and cool California made wines.
• Lava Vine: Lava Vine is a small team of tasting room staff and winemakers, working together to create real wines and a welcoming atmosphere.  Bring lunch and enjoy it on one of their picnic tables.
• Huge Bear Wines: The historic Calistoga National Bank building in downtown Calistoga is now a charming tasting room and an ideal setting for Huge Bear Wines.  Mention Kennedy/Green Wedding for a 2 for 1 tasting!
• August Briggs: August Briggs Winery is a small family owned and operated long time Napa/Sonoma producer with a tasting room located in downtown Calistoga.
• Olabisi Wines: By appointment only, Olabisi means limited production, handcrafted wines from one-of-a-kind vineyard sources tended by uncommonly talented farmers. 

• Sam's Social Club: Restaurant at Indian Springs, great for any meal, has indoor & outdoor seating
• Evangeline: Upscale Cajun/French restaurant, has indoor & outdoor seating.
• Buster's Original Southern Barbecue:  Casual roadside pit-stop serving authentic Lousiana barbecue, indoor and outdoor picnic-style seating available.  Don't fill up too much, we'll have BBQ Friday night!
• Calistoga Kitchen: Casual atmosphere, great for brunch, lunch or dinner. Has indoor & outdoor seating.
• SolBar: Michelin-rated restaurant at Solage. Expect farm-fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery: Relaxed atmosphere located at Calistoga Inn, beautiful patio along the Napa River, also a brewery!
• Brannan's Grill: Locally-owned contemporary steakhouse.
• Johnny's Restaurant & Bar: Located in Mount View Hotel, dine on the "bar side" to enjoy sliders and fish tacos, or on the "table side" for a sit-down experience featuring local and seasonal cuisine.
• Cafe Sarafornia: They say best Huevos Rancheros in all of Napa.  Ask how they got their name.  
• Calistoga Roastery: Good breakfast sando and cup of Joe.
• Yo el Rey Roasting: Another good cup of coffee.  If there were hipsters in Calistoga, they might hang out here.  
• Pacifico:  MEXICAN!

Hot Springs

Spas and Springs

Unique to Calistoga versus the rest of Napa, this town was built around natural mineral hot springs making it the perfect place to indulge with a mineral or mud bath.  Mud baths create some serious bonding (choose wisely who you go with):

• Golden Haven ($)
• Calistoga Hot Springs ($$)
• Indian Springs ($$)
• Solage ($$$)