Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
284
Balloon Company
(
&
800/FLY-NAPA
(359-6272) or 707/944-2822; www.bonaventura
balloons.com) offers a balloon excursion and complimentary champagne celebration for
$2,350 per person and $145 to $175 for kids 12 and under; packages and discounts ar e
often available.
If you do want to visit a winer y, I recommend two in Calistoga when trav eling with
kids.
Clos P egase
(1060 D unaweal Lane;
&
707/942-4981;
www .clospegase.com),
located close to Old Faithful Geyser, has a delightful picnic facility under an old oak tree.
You can bring y our own lunch or pur chase one fr om the visitor center , which is open
daily from 10:30am to 5pm, ex cept some holidays. After r unning around outside, the
kids will probably be amenable to one of the free guided tours, offered daily at 11:30am
or 2pm. Clos Pegase also offers tastings (for a fee) if you can get the kids to hang around
while y ou contemplate the bouquet of y our merlot. A t
Sterling Vineyar ds
(1111
Dunaweal Lane;
&
800/726-6136
or 707/942-3345; www .sterlingvineyards.com) the
children will appr eciate the aerial tram that takes y ou from the par king lot to the dra-
matic hilltop winery. You'll have to pay for the ride, though. F ees to visit Sterling, open
daily from 10am to 4:30pm, ar e $20 for adults and $10 for any one under 21 (under 3
free). Once there, however, you can take a free self-guided tour and enjoy a complimen-
tary tasting of five wines.
WHERE TO STAY
Calistoga has lots of hotels and motels with swimming pools and
spa facilities, both of which ar e very important to make this r etreat work for the entir e
family. If you plan far in advance, the ideal resort is
Indian Springs
(1712 Lincoln Ave.,
Calistoga;
&
707/942-4913;
www.indianspringscalistoga.com) The 24-unit pr operty,
consisting of charming wooden bungalo ws with furnished kitchens, was entir ely reno-
vated in 2006. P icnic tables and barbecues ar e placed on the lawn outside for guest use
along with surr eys (bikes with bench seats and awnings) and P ing-Pong tables. A fine
1913 bathhouse is no w a spa with a full range of ser vices including mud baths, facials,
and massage. The topper is an O lympic-size heated mineral pool surr ounded by lounge
chairs and a mountain vie w that will mesmeriz e you. Pick up something to barbecue, a
little fruit, and some drinks, and there will be no reason to leave the premises. Lodge rates
are $185 to $225 for a double on w eekdays and $235 to $290 on w eekends, with the
highest prices in summer . Cottage prices range fr om $195 to $825, depending on siz e
(the largest one sleeps 6) and season.
If Indian Springs is completely booked (phone 48 hr. before you'd like to come to get
in on cancellations), check availability at the
Best Western Stevenson Manor Inn
(1830
Lincoln A ve., Calistoga;
&
707/942-1112;
$120-$269 double). I t doesn't hav e the
charm or amenities of Indian Springs, but the spacious motel rooms are nicely equipped,
with fridges, coffeemakers, fireplaces, or whirlpool tubs available, and there's an enclosed
pool with a hot tub, sauna, and steam room.
WHERE TO DINE
One benefit of staying in Calistoga is that the 4-block town and its
restaurants and shops ar e walking distance fr om the lodgings. There are a lot of r estau-
rants for a town this size, most somewhat expensive given that they cater to tourists.
All
Season's Bistro
in the Mount View Hotel (1400 Lincoln A ve., Calistoga;
&
707/942-
9111
) serves dinner Tuesday to Sunday (and lunch F ri-Sun), combining old-fashioned
down-home dining charm with sophisticated, seasonally inspired dishes. There's no kids'
menu, but the kitchen is always happy to whip up some buttered pasta for the little ones.
The
Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery
(1250 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga;
&
707/942-
4101
) has appealing, seasonal offerings like a r oasted pork quesadillas or braised lamb
shank with buttermilk mashed potatoes, ser ved indoors or on the patio.
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