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Old Faithful Geyser (Tubbs Lane) – Calistoga is
famous for its mineral springs and the Old Faithful geyser. The geyser starts
with little wisps of steam wafting up, then poof, it shoots hot water straight
up in the air. After several minutes, the geyser stops, as if the faucet
were turned off, but it will do this same thing every 10 - 20 minutes. There
are picnic tables and a grassy area for kids to run around while you wait
for the next eruption, or you can watch the 45 min. video about Old Faithful. |
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Sharpsteen Museum – In the Sharpsteen Museum,
step back in time to the mid 19th century, when Calistoga was a busy hot
spring resort. Check out the wonderfully detailed diorama of Calistoga,
down to the details of ladies in long dresses, strolling on the lawns. There's
a charming Victorian doll house and full size stagecoach. The Brannan Resort
Cottage is completely decorated with period furnishings (very comfy for
a vacation cottage). |
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Pioneer Park – Across the creek from
the Sharpsteen Museum is a small shaded park with a lovely gazebo and an
old summertime feeling. There's a large kids' playground with climbing structures,
picnic tables, and a stream to play in. A gem. |
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Take a soak – Calistoga is famous for its spas,
mud baths and mineral water pools. For families, buy a ticket for day use
– fun and relaxing for the whole family. Calistoga Spa Hot Springs
(1006 Washington St.) has a big naturally heated swimming pool and wading
pool with fountain. |
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Bothe - Napa Valley State Park – The park has
lots of offer - a campground, plenty of picnic tables in the shade, hiking,
horseback riding and swimming. |
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 Hiking
trails – |
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Pick up trail maps at the Visitor's Center, or ask a park
ranger for maps if the center is closed. |
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Ritchey Canyon – Both the Ritchey Canyon Trail
and Redwood Trail follow along the creek, through redwoods and evergreen
trees, with wildflowers in the spring. Other trails will have views of the
Napa Valley. If you have little ones, you can easily spend hours wandering
a short distance up the trail; older kids will enjoy a longer hike through
the canyon. |
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History Trail – Take a 2.2 mile (round trip) hike
from the park to the Bale Grist Mill, passing by the Pioneer Cemetery on
the way. In the Pioneer Cemetery, (only a short distance from the
parking lot), the trail meanders through rustling grasses and yellow dandelions.
Slight breezes blow over the old, worn headstones, a remembrance of those
people who settled in the Napa Valley in the 19th century. |
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Tip: If you're out hiking, watch out for poison oak
– brushing against the leaves can cause bumps and itching. Bring plenty
of water and keep and eye out for rattlesnakes. After your hike, check the
kids to sure that they didn't pick up any ticks along the way. |
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Public
pool – The public pool in Napa Valley State Park is open from June
- Labor Day. Perfect spot to cool off on a hot day. |
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Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park – Before the
Napa Valley was planted with vines, wheat was the big crop. In the 1840's,
Dr. Edward Bale set up a grist mill to grind wheat into flour. Water from
Mill Creek powered the huge 36 ft. wheel that turned the grinding stones.
Today it's a short walk to the mill, situated in the trees along the creek.
On weekends you can see the mill in action, grinding wheat and rye flour,
cornmeal and polenta (which you can buy at the gift shop). Picnic tables
and restrooms. |
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Robert Louis Stevenson State Park (Highway 29) –
In 1880, Robert Louis Stevenson, beloved author of Treasure Island and Kidnapped, spent several months with his bride on Mount St. Helena,
camped out in a dusty, deserted bunkhouse from the Silverado Mine. When
he wrote Treasure Island, he described some scenes from Mount St.
Helena. On the Table Rock Trail, hike for a mile to get a spectacular
view of the Napa Valley. About a mile up the Mount St. Helena Trail,
there's a monument to Robert Louis Stevenson. |
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Petrified Forest (Petrified Forest Rd.) – When
Mount St. Helena blew its stack about 3 million years ago, it spewed tons
of lava and ash all over the valley. Buried in ash, the wood cells of redwood
and pine trees were replaced with crystallized silica – the trees turned
to stone. In 1870, a petrified stump was discovered, and gradually entire
trees, some over 60 - 65 ft high, have been carefully uncovered. Walk on
shaded trails (strollers okay) to view the "petrified forest."
Picnic tables and a gift shop with oodles of shining polished stones, including
petrified rocks. |
