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Calistoga, California is the “Hot Springs of the West”, a senior vacation and resort community.

Calistoga CA History

A volcano eruption in Napa Valley millions of years ago created geysers of heated water to form in the Calistoga area. More than 500 years ago, the Wappo Indians discovered the hot springs and natural mineral pools and settled here. Later, Spanish explorers arrived and took control of the Valley. After gaining independence from Spain, the Mexican government partitioned much of Napa Valley into ranchos in the 1830’s and 1840’s.

The first American settlers began arriving in the 1840's. In 1852, California pioneer and millionaire, Samuel Brannan, visited the Napa Valley. Fascinated by Calistoga’s natural hot springs, he decided to build a health spa here to rival Saratoga Springs in New York. Brannan purchased more than 2,000 acres of land and donated more than 80 additional plots, founding the town of Calistoga in 1859. Calistoga incorporated as a town in 1885.

Brannan's resort opened in 1862. Since then, Calistoga has been the "Hot Springs of the West.” The resort thrived until the mid-1870's, when Brannan went bankrupt after a devastating divorce. Leland Stanford took over until 1900, and at one point considered building his university here.

Calistoga California – Home to Spas, Resorts and Wineries

Calistoga, California became a transportation hub, a resort destination, and an agricultural center. The resort Brannan founded still exists, now known as Indian Springs Spa and Resort. Today, Calistoga is home to more than a dozen other spas, resorts and wineries.