If you’re ready to finally schedule that dream trip to Napa Valley but are overwhelmed by the options, consider Calistoga as the perfect jumping-off point. Start your Wine Country odyssey in this quaint Northern California town, which offers much of the vibes and sights the region is prized for.

Calistoga’s charming downtown houses, many boutiques, art galleries and antique shops are the stuff you’re likely imagining when you think of visiting Napa Valley, but it’s a lasting pre-colonial discovery that makes it stand out from other similar settlements. Calistoga’s natural mud baths, which the town says were discovered by members the Wappo tribe more than 500 years ago, are still managing to surprise NorCal lifers. Whether your getaway is focused on wine, wellness, the great outdoors or the pleasures of sightseeing, Calistoga makes a nice touchstone for the uninitiated.

Read on for our picks for where to stay, play, eat and drink in and around Calistoga, California.

If you’re more comfortable in a hotel than a bed-and-breakfast setting, Solage Resort & Spa is a four-star luxury hotel that’s about a 3-minute drive from downtown Calistoga. The resort features two restaurants: Solbar, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Picobar, which offers a modern twist on Mexican-inspired fare and drinks. The grounds also include a gym, spa, bocce ball courts, and a pool with a splash pad and walk-up bar.

Each of Solage’s rooms has its own outdoor patio, so you don’t have to worry about getting shorted when booking. Accommodations range in size from 515-1,900 square feet and feature high vaulted ceilings and spacious bathrooms with classy details like pebble-stone floors in the shower. Anyone looking for a romantic weekend in Napa Valley, should look into the two-bedroom estate suite, which comes with an outdoor hot tub and fire pit.

If you want a true Napa Valley B&B experience, you’ll want to make the short drive out of Calistoga to Yountville and check into Maison Fleurie. It’s situated around the midpoint between Napa and Calistoga, making it a great pick for those looking to sightsee. Built in 1873, this recommended inn contains 13 rooms, some with a fireplace and private patio area. You’ll feel like you’re staying in the French countryside as you wake to the daily breakfast buffet. And don’t forget to stop in for the complimentary wine hour before dinner.

If you like to start your day with an early hike, check out Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, which boasts 1,991 forested acres of Douglas firs, towering redwoods, and abundant wildlife including raccoons, foxes and deer. In addition to hiking trails, there’s a campground and picnic areas, along with a swimming pool that’s open in the summer.

After you wear yourself out, treat yourself to a massage, a soak in some hot springs or a mud bath at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs. This spa has four mud baths and geothermal mineral pools and offers treatments like the signature Mudslinger, an hour-long indulgence that includes time in the mud bath, salt-infused mineral whirlpool and steam room, as well as a face mask and blanket wrap. This Calistoga resort also offers accommodations if you want to spend a night or weekend on the grounds.

If wine tasting is on your to-do list, a visit to the Chateau Montelena Winery should make your itinerary. Founded in 1882 and best known for its award-winning chardonnay. Tastings here are by appointment only, but make for a memorable experience as you sip wines in a towering castle surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens.

Another Calistoga winery that’s worth a stop is Castello di Amorosa, a 121,000-square-foot Tuscan-inspired palatial estate. First opened in 2007, this 107-room fortress took a total of 15 years to complete and specializes in small-batch wines under the leadership of fourth-generation winemaker Dario Sattui, a San Francisco native.

Grab a good breakfast in Calistoga at Cafe Sarafornia, a small, unassuming diner that serves morning favorites all day, making it perfect for those who start late. This spot’s menu — which also covers lunch — includes vegetarian and gluten-free offerings that you can enjoy from a sunny table outside. If you’re looking for brunch, women-owned Lovina’s is a highlight on weekends. While there are vegan options, carnivores need not be sad as meaty options like beef short ribs and Cornish hen are on the menu, too.

In the nearby town of St. Helena, Forum at Meadowood serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, highlighting seasonal ingredients from local vendors.  

An iconic Napa Valley foodie stop is the acclaimed French Laundry in Yountville, one of the most notable fine dining spots in the entire Golden State. The restaurant, founded by chef Thomas Keller, has three Michelin stars and changes its menu daily. Book reservations ahead of time and be prepared to spend at least $400 per person for this top-tier dining experience.

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].