Here's what you need to know before planning a trip to Calistoga, California.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort

Located squarely downtown and operated by Marriott, Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs leans into a midcentury modern aesthetic across its 50 rooms and on-site eatery, House of Better. It has a full-service spa, three geothermal pools, and a dedicated garden for outdoor treatments. To top it off, it has bikes that can be borrowed and a backyard with lawn games, making it a perfect stay for families...

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Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs has been part of Calistoga for decades, yet it feels like a world apart for groups coming to wine country for wedding celebrations or bachelorette trips. The property blends retro with a modern that feels next level. It is super relaxed, fun, and full of opportunities to create some amazing memories.

The pools are a highlight, and each one brings its own energy. The warm pool gives you the option to ease into the temperature before hitting the hotter pools. With the property being family-friendly, it’s a great place for families with little ones to enjoy the pool together. The mid-temperature outdoor pool is a great place to retreat to when you’re looking for an upgrade to the warm pool or a downgrade in temperature to the hot pool. The hot mineral pool in the alcove is the star of the show and invites its guests to relax and recover from whichever itinerary they experienced.

To add a little extra touch to its message around wellness, Dr. Wilkinson’s stocks rooms and spa spaces with their signature alkaline mineral water that ties directly to Calistoga’s geothermal history. Its light mineral properties are designed to keep guests hydrated between spa treatments, pool sessions, and wine tasting.

The spa is another reason people keep coming back. The mud baths, mineral soaks, and geothermal steam treatments create an experience that feels relaxing to the core. The mud bath alone is an unreal experience with its signature mixture of peat and volcanic ash. Pre-wedding spa treatments are a must for a wedding itinerary...

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Beyond its geothermal geysers and relaxing spas, Calistoga has a plethora of swanky resort-style retreats, so no matter how you define relaxation, this collection of hotels has got you covered.

Hot Springs Retreats

After a day of sipping and seeing, slip into a state of deep relaxation at these Calistoga retreats’ detoxifying hot pools and mud baths—some of Northern California’s most-prized and best-kept secrets.

Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs

Operating since 1952, Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs has welcomed guests with the same iconic neon sign for more than six decades. Renovated accommodations have a comfortable, mid-century modern feel, and groups can even reserve a restored 1924 Victorian house that sleeps 15. Millions have experienced the spa, which boasts three geothermal pools brimming with natural mineral water, and many guests enjoy the indoor mineral pool as well, which is kept at a balmy 104°F.

Insider Tip: Sink yourself deep into a mud bath in one of the garden’s open-air spa tubs—their proprietary mud mixture includes organic Canadian peat mixed with volcanic ash from nearby Mount St. Helena, topped off with warm natural mineral water.

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California’s Napa Valley has achieved near-mythical status, not only as a top wine region in North America but as one of the best in the world. It’s hard to have a conversation about wine—and maybe even impossible if you're talking about cabernet sauvignon—without mentioning the prodigious wine country little more than 50 miles north of San Francisco.

While Napa Valley is full of flourishing vineyards and has its fair share of world-class restaurants, the region also offers an Eden-like escape in nature. To narrow down your itinerary, we turned to three local experts to help us compile a list of the best things to do in Napa Valley. Here's how to make the most of your next vacation to this vibrant part of Northern California, whether you're into hiking and kayaking or sipping and luxuriating.

Take a rejuvenating mud bath in Calistoga.

Developed as a hot springs resort town in the mid-19th century, Calistoga has a rich history when it comes to healing volcanic soil. Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs offers a spa garden for alfresco treatments, plus four indoor mud baths, even more mineral baths, and three geothermal mineral pools. Nearby, Indian Springs Calistoga, an ancient healing destination for the Indigenous Wappo community, features a spa, volcanic mud baths, a large mineral plunge pool, and rolling gardens.

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From day spas with a view to mineral mud baths to splurge getaways with private hot tubs, there’s no better way to bond than with a romantic couples soak.

Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs in Calistoga has been around since the 1950s, and it’s still got retro, mid-century vibes paired with renovated modern comforts. The centerpiece of the resort is the mineral mud baths, which contain a combination of volcanic ash from St. Helena, mineral rich natural hot water from the property, and peat from Canada. Specially designated couples treatments—like The Works, where the two of you start with side-by-side mud baths, followed by a mineral bath and a mud mask, then a steam, a blanket wrap, and a Swedish massage—let you enjoy the spa’s healing properties together. There are also several couples massage options, including salt stone, CBD deep tissue, and an amethyst bio mat massage.

“There’s a real joy in doing something completely different together, says Avery Winter, director of spa and wellness at Dr. Wilkinson’s. “Our couples’ mud baths strike a balance between relaxation and play, giving guests space to unwind, reconnect, and not take things too seriously. The warmth of the mineral water, volcanic ash, and peat moss helps relax the body and soften the skin, but just as important is the shared moment of slowing down and experiencing something playful, unexpected, and genuinely memorable.”

If you’re an overnight guest, you can soak in any of the three large mineral water pools at the resort; each is at a different natural temperature, and they all contain healing natural minerals. The resort has 50 guest rooms, including some spacious private cottages, all of which underwent a renovation in 2021. And while you can make any visit here romantic, their VDay Getaway special nails it with wine, breakfast and dinner at the onsite House of Better (try the pie!), mud bath treatments, and chauffeured Napa Valley wine tastings included. For day trippers, The Sweetheart’s Escape features mud baths, massages, Champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries.

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Even as centuries passed and modern medicine began to replace the natural remedies of the past, soaking in mineral-rich hot springs water remained a popular healing modality. Doctors would suggest that patients with lingering symptoms travel to hot springs and "take in the waters" due to its healing benefits. There were reports of miracle cures from various hot springs around the world.

Today, we still love hot springs, and all around the world you'll find incredible spas near natural hot springs that advertise the benefits of soaking in the waters. The United States might not have the same spa culture as some European nations, but we do have some fabulous natural hot springs that remain popular tourist destinations. There is plenty of evidence that soaking in hot springs has wellness benefits, and it's a very relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

If you've been considering planning the perfect hot springs vacation, we've rounded up a varied list of five excellent options in the United States. We researched dozens of hot spring resorts across the country, read plenty of reviews posted by real guests, and even visited some of these incredible spots ourselves. According to our research, Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, Strawberry Park Hot Springs, Chena Hot Springs Resort, Ojo Caliente, and Omni Homestead Resort are some of the best hot spring resorts you can visit.

Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs originally opened in 1952. A man named Jon Wilkinson, known as Doc, studied alternative healing modalities and ancient wellness practices and decided that the geothermal springs of Calistoga, California, were ideal for creating a health spa. Calistoga is located in the northern part of Napa Valley, which is one of the best places in the United States to visit for wine tastings. An afternoon spent soaking in the warm waters could be the perfect compliment to a long weekend of visiting the vineyards.

Over the years, Dr. Wilkinson's became a haven for celebrities. People would travel from all around to experience Doc's healing remedies, including a special mud bath that he created by mixing volcanic ash with the mineral-rich spring water. Doc and his wife Edy lived on the property and Edy created beautiful mosaic art that can still be enjoyed by visitors today. Edy's art studio has been converted into private lodging for guests.

Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs underwent quite the face lift in 2020, and it's better than ever. Guests are still greeted by the original vintage neon sign, and the decor still leans into the spa's mid-century modern roots, but there are plenty of upgraded modern conveniences. A geothermal well beneath the property pumps the warm water into three mineral pools. The same water is also used in all of the spa baths. In addition to mineral soaks and mud baths, guests can enjoy other wellness treatments like massages and facials.

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Although Napa and Sonoma Counties are home to more than 800 wineries, including award-winning names like Robert Mondavi Winery and Aperture Cellars, whose founder Jesse Katz won Wine Enthusiast’s “2025 Winemaker of the Year,” winter is an ideal time to explore smaller estates. Visiting these wineries often means supporting a multi-generational family business that sustains local traditions in a way large commercial estates cannot.

Tastings are intimate and personal, with staff or, sometimes, the winemakers themselves sharing the story behind each bottle. There’s usually no hurry, no crowded tasting room, just time to savor the wine and the experience. Here are a few smaller wineries to check out this winter, plus exciting activities and upscale places to stay nearby.

Best Things To Do In Napa And Sonoma Counties

In winter, visitors can take advantage of cooler temperatures and far fewer crowds. The 4.5-mile round-trip hike to Table Rock provides some of the most rewarding views in the valley. Nearby regional parks such as Napa Valley State Park and Alston Park feature scenic, accessible trails. Sonoma County, named a top destination to visit in 2026 by Forbes Travel Guide, is home to Sonoma Valley Regional Park and Jack London State Historic Park, which is celebrating 150 years in 2026.

It’s also the perfect season for restorative spa experiences, from the mud baths and mineral pools at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs and Indian Springs Resort to the luxurious spa setting at The Spa at Solage| in Calistoga. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Sonoma County offers a monthly Forest Therapy Series through its Park Rx Program, running on the fourth Sunday from March through November. For stunning, often fog-covered vineyard views at sunrise, book a hot air balloon flight with Napa Valley Balloons.

A visit to this wine region would not be complete without time spent wandering its charming towns. In winter, Sonoma Plaza takes on a cozy charm, with fireplaces lit inside tasting rooms and restaurants, like Michelin-starred Enclos, and a walkable mix of bakeries, cafés, shops and small galleries. Downtown Napa leans more culinary and contemporary, with a lively collection of restaurants, such as Angèle Restaurant & Bar, tasting rooms and art spaces along the riverfront.

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Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs

Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs in Calistoga is the crunchy California retreat of your dreams. There’s a blend of vintage charm and laid-back wellness on property with the combination of its retro-chic rooms and soothing communal geothermal mineral pools. The real center of any visit is the mud baths, which will make you feel like you’re in your very own episode of I Love Lucy. Pair that with wellness-focused Southwest-inspired cuisine that doesn’t lean too healthy (you must try their fresh baked hand pies) and nearby Napa Valley charm, and you’ve got the ultimate weekend in wine country.

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Take Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs in Calistoga. It's technically a motel, with its classic courtyard layout and numbered doors, yet it delivers an unmistakably luxurious experience. The contrast is what makes it work — midcentury architecture meets modern wellness culture, with mineral pools, a bathhouse and thoughtfully designed rooms that feel worlds away from typical Marriott properties. Another example is The Warehouse Hotel in Singapore, which transforms a 1895 riverside warehouse into an industrial-chic retreat along the Singapore River.

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From renowned wineries and quirky towns to thermal springs and even a medieval castle, Highway 128 is the dream road trip through California's leading wine regions. Starting about two hours' drive north of San Francisco, the "Wine Road" hits the highlights of the Napa and Sonoma valleys before a final stretch following wild coastline to Mendocino village perched high on ocean bluffs. Here's how to make the most of this hidden gem among California's highways.

NESTLE INTO NAPA

The next day Corinne's words ring in my ears when the waiter at Napa institution Mustards Grill hands me the longest wine list I've ever seen - well over 100 varietals mostly from Napa and Sonoma printed on a single laminated poster-sized sheet aptly entitled "Way Too Many Wines". The Napa Valley is best known for high quality cabernet sauvignon. But the terroir supports so many other equally stunning wines, like the premium white we're handed on arrival at Beringer Vineyards. Founded in 1876, Beringer is Napa's longest continuously operating winery, producing more than 30 different wines. "If cabernet is the king of Napa's grapes, then chardonnay is the queen," quips our guide as we follow him past flowering gardens and into the estate's Victorian-era "Rhine House" mansion to be treated to Beringer's best drops. Later, in the quaint rural town of Calistoga, we stop sipping and start soaking in Napa's other famous liquid: the warm waters of its numerous natural thermal springs, which fill all three swimming pools at our retro boutique motel Dr Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs.

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