Travel Guide: St. Helena & Calistoga, CA
{About}: Just north of the town of Napa are the small villages of St. Helena and Calistoga. Both are equally delightful wine and spa towns, but are they slightly more laid back than their more famous neighbors of Napa and Sonoma.
{Get There/Get Around}: The Napa Valley is an easy drive from San Francisco and one you are in town you only need a car to get to further afield spots. Definitely book a car service if you plan to visit some wineries!
{Stay}: Alila Napa Valley Tip: this is now part of Hyatt and you can book your stay with points!
There are tons of great spots to stay depending on your budget but they do book up quickly on the weekends so be sure to plan well in advance.
{See & Do}: Wander the quaint town of St. Helena and check out some local wineries! Try: V.Satuvi (I found the wine to be rather mediocre, but they do have a very nice market and picnic grounds AND you do not need a reservation which is nice), Spring Mountain Vineyard (reservations) and Tank Garage Winery in Calistoga (reservations). Tank Garage Winery is a very funky tasting room in a converted garage. They only sell direct to consumer through memberships and their tasting room and have some very interesting wines to try.
{Eat & Drink} : Farmstead at Longmeadow Ranch (reservation) | Gott’s Roadside (great for a quick lunch) | Charter Oak Restaurant (reservation) | The Station St. Helena (coffee & light bites) | Crisp juice & kitchen | Acaia | Model Bakery | Calistoga Inn & Brewery (good spot for lunch before or after a tasting at Tank Garage, its just around the corner).
{Shop}: Visit Sunshine foods in St Helena for great picnic supplies and a fantastic wine selection, and in Calistoga, check out Blackbird and the Calistoga Depot for souvenirs and foodie finds.
{Things to Know}: The area definitely gets crowded, especially on weekends during peak season so pack your patience and have a back up plan should traffic or crowds get the better of your plan A. Booking a few restaurants and wineries in advance is definitely recommended. It can also get much warmer in the valley than in San Francisco so pack accordingly and its never a bad idea to prioritize pool access when booking a place to stay.
