Calistoga, CA
(population 5,190)

Calistoga is at the top northern end of the Napa Valley. In Calistoga, you can ride around locally, or head off for some long-distance touring. Cyclists wanting to get in some serious riding miles before they partake in the Calistoga fun, can bike from Calistoga to Angwin, Middletown, Lake Beryessa, or Lake Hennessey. For each of these places, you can make a round trip in one day, coming back to Calistoga for nighttime fun.

For cyclists who want to stay local, Calistoga itself, has many different sights and things to do. You can even head to Calistoga without a bike and rent one at Calistoga Bike Shop. From there, at the other end of Lincoln Avenue, a few blocks away you will find the the legendary Mount View Hotel & Spa, a National Bicycle Greenway supporter. Built in 1917, it stands as a proud reminder to what makes this town so special

Calistoga is famous for HEALTH SPAS, and should you choose to work hard on your bike, you can easily justify such spa treatments as steam and mud baths, hot mineral springs and massage. It was near the Mount View Hotel, at the eastern edge of town that Calistoga's fame was born. Across the street, a geyser shooting out hot, sulphurous mineral water was harnessed by a spa called Indian Springs. Dedicated in 1862, it is the first original spa in Calistoga. Today, it has a huge geyser-fed swimming pool and an extensive operation of mud baths.

The Mount View Hotel & Spa is a more luxurious version of Indian Springs. As a private, intimate spa, it is an excellent place for other spa treatments such as herbal baths, facials, and seaweed wraps. Other great spas in town are Golden Haven Spa, Nance's Hot Springs, Village Inn & Spa, and Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs.

If you love coffee, try The Roastery at the eastern end of the main drag. The Roastery has a full espresso bar, tasty cookies and pastries.

If you're not biking to Angwin, Middletown or one of the Lakes, you can cycle to the nearby wineries. Those close by are Clos Pegasse, Sterling (it has a tram ride, $15 - 20), Twomey, Chateau Montelena, Traulsen Vineyards, and Cuvaison. Have fun tasting the wine and cruising the roads that run through beautiful rows of growing vineyards.

As well as the wineries, try to fit two more sight seeing places into your time spent there. Two sights pay tribute to the fact that Calistoga is a volcanic hot spot. It was volcanic activity that created Calistoga's famous hot springs and sulfurous mineral waters as well as Old Faithful a geyser that erupts about every 40 minutes. The second sight is the Petrified Forest where a volcano erupted 6 million years ago and drowned a forest of giant redwoods. Petrified wood remains there, marking the ancient life of that forest and volcano.

You could also go flying in a hot air balloon. If you want to wake up very early, and have made sure to get a hold of them ahead of time, Calistoga Ballooning will pick you up and take you to its always changing llift off spot for an overview of the picturesque wine valley below.

The best place to end your day is at Checkers for dinner. Calistoga has many wonderful eating establishments , 4 Mexican, one Chinese, another Italian, and a bunch of standard American eating places, but we've always liked Checkers the best. It's an event! Cyclists can carbo-load, eating pizza or pasta. Vegetarians have many choices too, you can even eat a cheeseless pizza.

We know you'll agree Calistoga is great fun to visit on a bicycle.

Camping:
Napa County Fairgrounds: Located four blocks from downtown at the north end of town. 707-942-5111