A Guide to Calistoga
The History of Calistoga in a Nutshell:
The Napa Valley was once the home of a significant population of Indigenous People, those in the
Calistoga area being called the Wappo during the Spanish colonial era of the late 1700’s. In the
Spanish era, the Napa Valley was controlled by the Mission San Francisco de Solano located in the
now City of Sonoma. Following Mexican Independence, mission properties were secularized and
disposed of by the Mexican government with much of the Napa Valley being partitioned into
ranchos in the 1830’s and 1840’s. The first American settlers began arriving in the 1840’s, with
several taking up lands in the Calistoga area. Samuel Brannan was the leader of a settlement
expedition on the ship Brooklyn landing in Yerba Buena (San Francisco) in 1846. He published San
Francisco's first English language newspaper, the California Star. Following the discovery of gold in
Sacramento, Brannan pursued many business ventures which made him California’s first
millionaire and became a leader in San Francisco's Committee of Vigilance. Fascinated by Calistoga’s
natural hot springs, Brannan purchased more than 2,000 acres with the intent to develop a spa
reminiscent of Saratoga in New York. His Hot Springs Resort surrounding Mt Lincoln with the
Spa/Hotel located at what is now Indian Springs Resort, opened to California's rich and famous in
1862. Between the Springs Grounds and the County Road (Foothill Blvd) commercial and
residential areas were laid out beginning in the 1860’s. In 1868 the Railroad was completed to
Calistoga which became not only a destination, but the transportation hub for the upper valley and
a gateway to Lake and Sonoma Counties. A large scale diorama of this early Calistoga can be seen in
the Sharpsteen Museum. Calistoga incorporated as a town in 1885, and as a “City of the Sixth
Class” in 1888. Calistoga's economy was based on mining (silver and mercury) agriculture (grapes,
prunes and walnuts) and tourism (Robert Louis Stevenson spent his honeymoon here, spending
part of the time living in the abandoned bunkhouse of the Silverado mine, the reminisces of which
became Silverado Squatters.). The population remained near 2,000 until after WWII. Current
population (Census 2000) is 5,190.
Today, Calistoga retains its charm of yesteryear with a walkable downtown much as it was when
spa visitors arrived by train. In 2001, Calistoga was selected by the National Trust for Historic
Preservation as one of twelve Distinctive Destinations.
Location, Location, Location
Calistoga is located 365 feet above sea level at Longitude 106.5, Latitude 37 on the map. At the top of the
Napa Valley and only 75 miles North of San Francisco, Calistoga is easily reached from anywhere in the
greater Bay Area and is an easy drive from the Capitol (Sacramento)area. Calistoga may be reached from
Interstate 80 by exiting on Highway 12 to Napa and following California State Highways 128 and 29
via the Napa Valley. This route takes you through picturesque wine country with miles of premium
vineyards that produce wine recognized by connoisseurs as some of the finest in the world. From San
Francisco, you may also follow Highway 101 North through Santa Rosa then take Mark West Springs
Road East (Then Porter Creek Road and Petrified Forest Road - well marked by road signs) over the
Mayacamus Mountains to Calistoga.
Calistoga Chamber of Commerce 1458 Lincoln Ave #9 Calistoga, CA 94515
tel. 707 942 6333 [Link]
A Walkable downtown where you can visit
unique stores and galleries or stop after a
fine dinner for a gelato to eat as you walk
over the bridge.
Form of Government
Calistoga is a General Law City with an elected Mayor and four City Council members. Day
to day operations are overseen and performed by a City Manager and professional City Staff. A
overview of City functions can be viewed on its web site at [Link],[Link]
City Finances
The City adopts two-year budgets for planning purposes. General Fund appropriations for
FY 2001/2002 total $4,789,728. City revenue projections include nearly $3million in Sales tax and
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) generated by the visitor industry.
Area
Calistoga covers 2.5 sq. miles or 1620 acres.
Climate
Average High Summer 95 Average Low Summer 52
Winter 69 Winter 37
Average Annual Rainfall 34 inches - almost entirely between November and May.
Population/Census 2000 Data
Total Population 5,190
Male 2,590
Female 2,600
Median Age 38.1
under 18 years 1,208
65 years or older 1,015
White 3,048
Hispanic/Latino 1,978
Native American 51
Housing Units 2,249
Owner occupied 1,220
Rented 822
Seasonal/Vacant 207
Business enterprise
The primary business of Calistoga is the visitor industry centered on our hot spring spas;
wine country ambiance and world renowned food and wine. The primary manufacturing operation
is mineral water bottling (Calistoga Mineral Water and Crystal Geyser). Though located only a few
miles from Santa Rosa and its "Big Box" retailing, the City retains a full complement of resident
serving businesses, including an auto dealership, drug store, hardware store, supermarket,
bookstores, etc.
Financial Facilities
Local banking facilities include branches of Bank of America; Bank of the West and
WestAmerica Bank, all with ATM services. See the Chamber web site [Link]
Real-estate Offices
There are several fine real-estate offices which can deal with your property needs. Please see
the Chamber web site [Link]
Newspapers
Calistoga is served by the Weekly Calistogan (a weekly), The Napa Register (daily) as
well as Santa Rosa's Press Democrat (daily) and the San Francisco Chronicle (daily) all of which
are available for home delivery.
Transportation
Calistoga is served by Greyhound Bus Lines and Napa Valley Transit (with the ferry
between San Francisco & Vallejo connecting to NVT). In addition, tour companies and limousine
services offer Calistoga destinations.
Education
The Calistoga Unified School District serves the Greater Calistoga area including parts of
Sonoma County. The District is K thru 12 and consists of a grade school, a middle school (housed
on the High School campus) a high school and a continuation school. [Link]
Library
The Calistoga Public Library is located at 1108 Myrtle St and is open 5 days a week (Mon-
Thurs & Sat). Services include multi station Internet access and on-line access to all Napa County
Library materials. The library has reading and lecture programs and is actively supported by
Friends of the Library .
Museum
Calistoga's Sharpsteen Museum is dedicated to the history of the American emigration to
the upper Napa Valley. It originated from the donation and design of Ben Sharpsteen, a Walt
Disney Studio animator and producer whose grandparents were early settlers to the area. The
Museum incorporates one of the cottages from Sam Brannan's resort. Exhibits include substantial
dioramas depicting life in Calistoga in the 1800's, as well as material from the early residents
including Donner Party survivors. The Museum is operated by the Sharpsteen Museum
Association whose volunteers provide docent tour daily from 11am-4pm.
Churches
Calistoga's Churches include: Baptist, 1310 Berry; Catholic, 901 Washington St; Eastern
Orthodox, 1421 Washington St; Episcopal, 1504 Myrtle St; Jehovah's Witness, 1321 Cedar St;
Non-Denominational, meeting at 1307 Washington St; Presbyterian, 3rd and Washington St;
Russian Orthodox, 1421 Cedar St; Seventh-Day Adventist, 2102 Grant St.
Parks
Pioneer Park and its associated playground is located at Cedar St and Elm. The Napa
County Fairgrounds is located at 1435 N Oak St and the Mt St Helena Golf course (9 holes) is
located on the Fairgrounds with entrance from Grant St.
International Service Organizations
Calistoga's service organizations include Lion's Club; Rotary International and
Soroptimist International. Location and time of weekly meetings can be obtained from the
Chamber of Commerce.
Medical Services
Emergency Services Emergency services are provided by calling 911. Emergency medical
response is provided by Calistoga Fire Department. Ambulance service is provided by a
private service under contract with the county with up-valley staffing on a 24hr basis.
Hospitals There are two full service hospitals in the Napa Valley one in Deer Park, the
second in Napa, and two others plus numerous clinics available in Santa Rosa (Sonoma
County)
The closest hospital to Calistoga is St Helena Hospital, 650 Sanitarium Rd, Deer Park, CA
707 963-3611. To reach the hospital drive South towards St Helena on Highway29/128
turning left on Deer Park Road at the north edge of St Helena. Cross Silverado Trail and
turn left on Sanitarium Rd proceeding about 1/2 mile to hospital on your right. (the route is
well signed).
Physicians The Vermeil House Medical Offices
913 Washington St
707 942 6233
Optometrist Jean Neeley, OD
1220 Washington St
707 942 4674
Dentists LeRoy Bowser, DDS
1619 Washington St
707 942 4621
