Hotel at a Glance: Brannan Cottage Inn

There are just a half-dozen guest rooms tucked away within the Victorian-era gingerbread walls of Brannan Cottage Inn. It helps ensure you’ll have a peaceful stay when you’re visiting Northern Napa Valley. The intimate inn—which started out as a luxury retreat in 1860—is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was recently revamped to add modern amenities to its elegant period decor. 

• Additional perks of this deal: a bottle of wine and wine-tasting passes for two
• Complimentary shuttle takes you throughout Calistoga’s idyllic countryside to local attractions and nearby wineries.
• Extra! Extra!: San Francisco Chronicle praised Brannan Cottage Inn for a “Victorian feel and a modern twist”.
• Make yourself at home in guest rooms with over-sized flat-screen TVs and espresso machines. The deluxe king rooms have a private terrace and a fireplace, so you have places to cozy up that are warm and quiet.
• Relaxing bike ride: Rent a bike from the local bikeshop to pedal down Calistoga’s hilly lanes and into some of the area’s quaint little neighborhoods. 

Calistoga, California: Down-to-Earth Hamlet in Northern Napa Valley

The story goes like this: 19th-century developer Samuel Brannan wanted to create a West Coast version of Saratoga Springs (renowned at the time for its mineral spas), but he had been drinking when he made the announcement and so the name came out garbled as the “Calistoga of Sarafornia.” This origin myth sounds a little fishy, but nevertheless, Brannan’s vision of creating a relaxing and therapeutic Napa Valley getaway was eventually realized. Thanks to the area’s natural hot springs, a slew of spas sprang up, offering restorative mineral soaks and mud baths. You can still find many such businesses peppered among the restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries lining Calistoga’s quaint, quiet main street, which is set against a backdrop of rolling hills.

Those hills are home to some of Napa Valley’s more than 400 wineries, many of which lie within a short drive of downtown Calistoga. The curious wine lover can choose from a wide array of vineyard experiences, ranging from tours to tastings at wineries modeled on English castles and Tuscan villas. One word of warning: many of these places require reservations, so be sure to book in advance.

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