Let’s be honest. An annual wine country escape is basically a non-negotiable when you live in LA. Between the traffic, constant construction, and hustle energy in the city, a charming, walkable getaway feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity. If you’re craving that reset but want to skip the busier side of Napa Valley, meet Calistoga: the quieter, more relaxed pocket at the north end of wine country. It still delivers everything you love about Napa, just with a softer, more under-the-radar energy. The kind of place you picture a cute rom-com coming to life (you might just live out this rom-com, you never know)! Just a quick flight out of LA , Calistoga feels like a true exhale. Think: sun-drenched, quietly luxurious destination with geothermal pools, walkable streets, and a slower, more intentional pace. It’s wine country, reimagined for the LA girl who wants to truly unwind without compromising on taste.
Where to Stay and Spa
At the heart of it all is Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort, the kind of place that sets the tone for your entire stay. Family-owned for over 50 years, the property is rooted in Calistoga’s historic bathing culture – but what really makes it stand out is the onsite spa experience, which feels equal parts elevated and deeply grounding. The resort features three geothermal mineral pools, where water is pumped up from deep underground at around 160°F before naturally cooling to a gentle, body-soothing ~95°F in the two main pools, while a hot tub also sustains a warmer temperature and soothing jets if that’s more your vibe. The result is a perfect, sustained warmth that makes lingering in the pools feel effortless. Guests can go between the pools, private mud baths, mineral soaks, and dry sauna for ultimate healing, creating a full circuit of restoration without ever leaving the property.
Photo Credit: Tyler Chartier
The spa menu is built around natural healers: volcanic ash, geothermal mineral water, and true stillness. You can start with a private mud bath or mineral soak, then layer in a massage (they offer everything from classic and deep tissue to lymphatic drainage, prenatal, and CBD-infused treatments). Everything is customizable too, with add-ons like cupping, hot stones, sound healing, aromatherapy, and Theragun. And yes, the products matter: they use OSEA Malibu, which we love.
Our experience? Next-level. The signature mud bath is a full ritual, submerging into a warm blend of volcanic ash, natural peat, and geothermal mineral water that works to detoxify, soothe muscles, and hydrate the skin all at once. You’re cocooned in this weightless, grounding soak before transitioning into a mineral bath, followed by a clay mud face mask. Then comes the cool-down moment: a cucumber eye mask, plus a refreshing lemon and cucumber electrolyte drink that somehow brings you fully back to life. It’s indulgent, a little surreal, and leaves you feeling completely reset, body and mind.
Photo Credit: Tyler Chartier
Beyond the spa itself, the villa-style layout of the resort, warm service, and peaceful atmosphere make it feel like your own private retreat. There’s no over-the-top flash here. Just thoughtful hospitality, beautiful Edenic surroundings, and a sense that you can truly slow down.
Where To Eat
Start your mornings at Cafe Sarafornia, a cozy, homey diner that somehow nails both comfort and quality. The coffee is strong, the portions are generous, and everything – from fluffy pancakes to savory breakfast plates – hits exactly how you want it to. It’s the kind of place you wish you had back in LA, complete with cute merch and that nostalgic, small-town feel.
Cafe Sarafornia
For dinner, Eight North is the moment. Right in the heart of town, it delivers a full wine country dining experience with a menu that’s equal parts elevated and satisfying. Start with a wine flight (obviously), then move into a beautifully curated charcuterie board to start (and have your own fun wine pairing).
Charcuterie Board at Eight North
We then went all in on mains like the Lawer Estates Syrah-marinated flank steak, which came plated with arugula, oak-grilled vegetable hash, and a whole grain mustard sauce: deeply savory, perfectly balanced, and very “order this again.” Alongside it, the prime beef ribeye arrived with delta asparagus, oyster mushroom, charred spring onion butter, and red wine jus – rich, seasonal, and exactly what you want after a full day in wine country. And of course, we could never resist Brussels sprouts, so we ordered the fried Brussels sprouts with crispy rice, Fresno chile, and fish sauce vinaigrette – salty, crispy, and slightly addictive in that way you keep going back for “just one more bite.” And just when you think it couldn’t get better, the baked Alaska arrives, literally on fire. It’s dramatic, delicious, and the perfect ending to a long, wine-filled day.
Dinner at Eight North
Where To Sip
One of the best parts about Calistoga? You don’t need a car service or a packed itinerary to experience incredible wine. Everything is walkable, including LOLA Wines, a standout tasting experience that feels intimate, thoughtful, and refreshingly unpretentious. Set in the historic LOLA House – originally built in 1892 – with a charming garden patio, it’s the kind of place that immediately feels personal. The tasting includes five beautiful seasonal wines guided by an incredibly knowledgeable host, and the story behind it makes it even better—the owner fell in love with wine at just 12 years old, and that passion shows in every pour, crafted from minimal-intervention, old-world winemaking.
Interior Shop of LOLA Wines
We definitely recommend pairing the tasting with small bites like fresh baguette, whipped burrata, and bottarga. Fun fact: LOLA is also one of the largest producers of bottarga in the world, tied to its sister company Cortez Conservas, which focuses on sustainably sourced, intentionally preserved seafood. Chances are you’ve had their bottarga before without even realizing it. It’s those little insider details that make the experience feel especially memorable.
What To Do
Step outside, and Calistoga immediately reveals its charm. The downtown feels like a throwback – in the best way. Picture friendly streets, locally owned cafés, intimate tasting rooms, and a pace that invites you to wander without a plan. No frantic reservations, no packed sidewalks, just a genuinely relaxed energy that makes everything feel easy. In Calistoga, doing less is kind of the point. And of course, no trip is complete without a little retail therapy: downtown is lined with the cutest under-the-radar boutiques, the kind you wander into “just to look” and somehow leave with a full bag. Rove Boutique is a must-visit for cute jewelry, chic sunglasses, and the perfect summer wear.
Shopping at Rove Boutique
Spend your mornings easing into the day with coffee and a stroll through town, pop into a few shops along the way, then ease into afternoons hopping between tasting rooms or biking through scenic Napa Valley routes (yes, Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort has bikes you can rent), before settling into long, wine-filled dinners that stretch into the evening. If you’re craving a little movement, there are nearby hiking trails that offer sweeping vineyard views without the crowds.
But honestly? The real luxury here is not having a packed schedule. No pressure to see and be seen, no endless list of “must-hit” spots. Just geothermal waters, incredible food and wine, and a setting that encourages you to actually relax. Calistoga is for those who have done the hectic scene and want something softer, slower, and more meaningful. It’s wine country without the performance, and that’s exactly what makes it so good.
