Calistoga, California
Encyclopedia
Calistoga is a city in Napa County
, California
, United States
. The population was 5,155 at the 2010 census.
, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²), 99.30% of it land and 0.70% of it water.
records, Calistoga has cool, wet winters with temperatures dropping to freezing on an average of 34.1 days. Summers are usually very dry, with daytime temperature regularly reaching 90 °F (32 °C) or higher on an average of 72.8 days, but nights are cool, dropping into the lower fifties. Average January temperatures range from 59.8 °F (15.4 °C) to 36.8 °F (2.7 °C). Average July temperatures range from 92.3 °F (33.5 °C) to 53.1 °F (11.7 °C). The record high temperature of 111 °F (43.9 °C) occurred on July 23, 2006. The record low temperature of 12 °F (-11.1 °C) was recorded on December 22, 1990.
Average annual rainfall is 37.79 inches (959.9 mm) with measurable precipitation falling on an average of 66 days each year. The wettest year was 1983 with 75.38 inches (1,914.7 mm) and the dryest year was 1976 with 12.43 inches (315.7 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 32.06 inches (814.3 mm) in February 1986. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 8.1 inches (205.7 mm) on February 17, 1986. Snow often falls in the nearby mountains during the winter months, but is rare in Calistoga. On January 3, 1974, 3.0 inches of snow fell in the city.
during the Spanish colonial era of the late 18th century. With abundant oak
trees providing acorn
s as a food staple and the natural hot springs as a healing ground Calistoga was the site of several villages. Following Mexican Independence
, mission properties were secularized and disposed of by the Mexican government with much of the Napa Valley being partitioned into large ranchos in the 1830s and 1840s. The first Anglo
settlers began arriving in the 1840s, with several taking up lands in the Calistoga area.
Samuel Brannan
was the leader of a settlement expedition on the ship Brooklyn landing in Yerba Buena (San Francisco) in 1846. He published San Francisco's first English language newspaper, the California Star. Following the discovery of gold
in Coloma
, Brannan pursued many business ventures, which made him California’s first millionaire and became a leader in San Francisco's Committee of Vigilance
. Fascinated by Calistoga’s natural hot springs, Brannan purchased more than 2000 acres (8 km²) with the intent to develop a spa reminiscent of Saratoga Springs in New York
. He is said to have intended to state "I'll make this place the Saratoga of California," but to have in fact uttered "the Calistoga of Sarifornia." His Hot Springs Resort surrounding Mt Lincoln with the Spa/Hotel located at what is now Indian Springs Resort, opened to California's rich and famous in 1862. In 1868 Brannan's Napa Valley Railroad Company's track was completed to Calistoga. This provided an easier travel option for ferry passengers
making the journey from San Francisco. With the addition of railroad service, Calistoga became not only a destination, but also the transportation hub for the upper valley and a gateway to Lake
and Sonoma Counties. A 6 meter diorama of this early Calistoga can be seen in the Sharpsteen Museum.
Calistoga's economy was based on mining (silver
and mercury
) agriculture (grapes, prunes and walnuts) and tourism (the hot springs). One of the early visitors was Robert Louis Stevenson
. He had yet to write his great novels, met Fanny Vandegrift
in France, followed her to San Francisco and, after she had obtained a divorce, married her in May 1880. Three days later they were on their way to honeymoon at the Calistoga Hot Springs Hotel. Desiring to stay in the area, they moved from the hotel to an abandoned cabin at the nearby Silverado Mine on Mount Saint Helena
. While working on other stories Stevenson kept a journal which became the Silverado Squatters describing many local features, residents and characters.
Calistoga made national headlines in 1881 when Anson Tichenor claimed that he had invented a way to extract gold from the waters of the hot springs. Tichenor's invention was soon proved to be a fraud.
In 1920, Giuseppe Musante, a soda fountain and candy store owner in Calistoga, was drilling for a cold water well at the Railway Exchange when he tapped into a hot water source. In 1924 he set up a bottling line and began selling Calistoga Sparkling Mineral Water. The company became a major player in the bottled water business after Elwood Sprenger bought the small bottling plant in 1970 known today as Calistoga Water Company.
Today, Calistoga retains its charm of yesteryear with a walkable downtown much as it was when spa visitors arrived by train.
At the very top of the Napa Valley, centrally located between Napa and Sonoma counties, Calistoga remains the historic hot springs resort destination of wine, water, and wellness.
Named a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
in 2001, Calistoga enables a visitor to see wine country as it was before freeways and fast food - only two-lane roads lead there and fast food franchises are banned by law.
Scenes from the Disney movie Bedtime Stories
starring Adam Sandler
were filmed in Calistoga in June, 2008.
was 1,972.4 people per square mile (761.5/km²). The racial makeup of Calistoga was 3,735 (72.5%) White, 27 (0.5%) African American, 21 (0.4%) Native American, 47 (0.9%) Asian, 10 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 968 (18.8%) from other races
, and 347 (6.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2,545 persons (49.4%).
The Census reported that 5,100 people (98.9% of the population) lived in households, 20 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 35 (0.7%) were institutionalized.
There were 2,019 households, out of which 630 (31.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 927 (45.9%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 189 (9.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 99 (4.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 141 (7.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 20 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 641 households (31.7%) were made up of individuals and 332 (16.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53. There were 1,215 families
(60.2% of all households); the average family size was 3.23.
The population was spread out with 1,167 people (22.6%) under the age of 18, 400 people (7.8%) aged 18 to 24, 1,341 people (26.0%) aged 25 to 44, 1,283 people (24.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 964 people (18.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.0 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.
There were 2,319 housing units at an average density of 887.3 per square mile (342.6/km²), of which 1,166 (57.8%) were owner-occupied, and 853 (42.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.0%. 2,545 people (49.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 2,555 people (49.6%) lived in rental housing units.
of 2000, there were 5,190 people, 2,042 households, and 1,243 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,997.4 people per square mile (770.7/km²). There were 2,249 housing units at an average density of 865.5 per square mile (334.0/km²).
There were 2,042 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples
living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.
The median income
for a household in the city was $38,454, and the median income for a family was $44,375. Males had a median income of $32,344 versus $29,844 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $21,134. About 5.2% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
Calistoga is located in the 2nd Senate
District, represented by Democrat
Noreen Evans
, and in the 7th Assembly
District, represented by Democrat Michael Allen
. Calistoga is located in California's 1st congressional district
, currently represented in the United States House of Representatives by Democrat Mike Thompson
.
, part of California
's Wine Country. Thus there are numerous wineries within a short drive. Calistoga itself, however, is noted for its hot springs
spas, a local specialty being immersion in hot volcanic ash known as a mud bath
.
Nearby attractions include a geothermal
geyser
known as the "Old Faithful
of California" or "Little Old Faithful".
industry in California. A California native, he first came to Calistoga in 1946 and leased the Pacheateau Resort now known as Indian Springs. In 1952, he and his wife Edy founded Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs. A chiropractor and physical therapist, "Doc" spent his early years in Mexico under the study of Dr. Edmound Szekely, founder of Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico to be later affiliated with The Golden Door. "Doc" served as the mayor of Calistoga, with his wife Edy and they were named "Entrepreneurs of the Year" by CALTIA in 1998. His innovation in alternative health care as a chiropractor and visionary was catalytic in the promotion of the "spa" industry and phenomenon in the U.S. of the "spa" movement. Dr. Wilkinson was instrumental in the combination of alternative therapies and was grandfathered as the first chiropractor deemed Registered Physical Therapist in a landmark California decision with respect to licensing of R.P.T. As an originator of "alternative therapy", i.e. massage, hot tubs, unique health care and preventative medicine, he consulted with luminaries such as Dr. Ornish, Dr. William Tiller, Jack La Lanne and others. His patients included many California and U.S. notables. His followers include luminaries such as Mr. and Mrs Joseph Koret, Moria Archbold, Natalia Makarova, Mrs Charles Crocker, Mrs. Caspar Weinberger, Mrs. George Romney, Dick Vermeil, Rudolf Nureyev and a host of others. "Doc" Wilkinson is considered a founder of the "spa" industry as it has become today.
Napa County, California
Napa County is a county located north of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. It is coterminous with the Napa, California, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 the population is 136,484. The county seat is Napa....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 5,155 at the 2010 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²), 99.30% of it land and 0.70% of it water.
Climate
According to National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
records, Calistoga has cool, wet winters with temperatures dropping to freezing on an average of 34.1 days. Summers are usually very dry, with daytime temperature regularly reaching 90 °F (32 °C) or higher on an average of 72.8 days, but nights are cool, dropping into the lower fifties. Average January temperatures range from 59.8 °F (15.4 °C) to 36.8 °F (2.7 °C). Average July temperatures range from 92.3 °F (33.5 °C) to 53.1 °F (11.7 °C). The record high temperature of 111 °F (43.9 °C) occurred on July 23, 2006. The record low temperature of 12 °F (-11.1 °C) was recorded on December 22, 1990.
Average annual rainfall is 37.79 inches (959.9 mm) with measurable precipitation falling on an average of 66 days each year. The wettest year was 1983 with 75.38 inches (1,914.7 mm) and the dryest year was 1976 with 12.43 inches (315.7 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 32.06 inches (814.3 mm) in February 1986. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 8.1 inches (205.7 mm) on February 17, 1986. Snow often falls in the nearby mountains during the winter months, but is rare in Calistoga. On January 3, 1974, 3.0 inches of snow fell in the city.
History
The Upper Napa Valley was once the home of a significant population of Indigenous People, called the WappoWappo
The Wappo are a group of Native Americans who traditionally lived in Northern California in the areas of Napa Valley, the south shore of Clear Lake, Alexander Valley, and Russian River. When Mexicans arrived to colonize California, Wappo villages existed near the present-day towns of Yountville,...
during the Spanish colonial era of the late 18th century. With abundant oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
trees providing acorn
Acorn
The acorn, or oak nut, is the nut of the oaks and their close relatives . It usually contains a single seed , enclosed in a tough, leathery shell, and borne in a cup-shaped cupule. Acorns vary from 1–6 cm long and 0.8–4 cm broad...
s as a food staple and the natural hot springs as a healing ground Calistoga was the site of several villages. Following Mexican Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
, mission properties were secularized and disposed of by the Mexican government with much of the Napa Valley being partitioned into large ranchos in the 1830s and 1840s. The first Anglo
Anglo
Anglo is a prefix indicating a relation to the Angles, England or the English people, as in the terms Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-American, Anglo-Celtic, Anglo-African and Anglo-Indian. It is often used alone, somewhat loosely, to refer to people of British Isles descent in The Americas, Australia and...
settlers began arriving in the 1840s, with several taking up lands in the Calistoga area.
Samuel Brannan
Samuel Brannan
Samuel Brannan was an American settler, businessman, and journalist, who founded the "California Star" newspaper in San Francisco, California...
was the leader of a settlement expedition on the ship Brooklyn landing in Yerba Buena (San Francisco) in 1846. He published San Francisco's first English language newspaper, the California Star. Following the discovery of gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
in Coloma
Coloma
Coloma may refer to:In places:*United States:** Coloma, California** Coloma, Michigan** Coloma, Wisconsin** Coloma , Wisconsin** Coloma Township, Whiteside County, Illinois** Coloma Charter Township, Michigan*Spain** Santa Coloma, Asturias...
, Brannan pursued many business ventures, which made him California’s first millionaire and became a leader in San Francisco's Committee of Vigilance
San Francisco Vigilance Movement
The San Francisco Committee of Vigilance was a popular ad hoc organization formed in 1851 and revived in 1856. Their purpose was to rein in rampant crime and government corruption. They were among the most successful organizations in the vigilante tradition of the American Old West.These militias...
. Fascinated by Calistoga’s natural hot springs, Brannan purchased more than 2000 acres (8 km²) with the intent to develop a spa reminiscent of Saratoga Springs in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He is said to have intended to state "I'll make this place the Saratoga of California," but to have in fact uttered "the Calistoga of Sarifornia." His Hot Springs Resort surrounding Mt Lincoln with the Spa/Hotel located at what is now Indian Springs Resort, opened to California's rich and famous in 1862. In 1868 Brannan's Napa Valley Railroad Company's track was completed to Calistoga. This provided an easier travel option for ferry passengers
Ferries of San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay in California has been served by ferries of all types for over 150 years. Although the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge led to the decline in the importance of most ferries, some are still in use today for both commuters and...
making the journey from San Francisco. With the addition of railroad service, Calistoga became not only a destination, but also the transportation hub for the upper valley and a gateway to Lake
Lake County, California
Lake County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of California, north of the San Francisco Bay Area. It takes its name from Clear Lake, the dominant geographic feature in the county and the largest natural lake wholly within California...
and Sonoma Counties. A 6 meter diorama of this early Calistoga can be seen in the Sharpsteen Museum.
Calistoga's economy was based on mining (silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
and mercury
Mercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
) agriculture (grapes, prunes and walnuts) and tourism (the hot springs). One of the early visitors was Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
. He had yet to write his great novels, met Fanny Vandegrift
Fanny Vandegrift
Frances Matilda Van de Grift Osbourne Stevenson was the wife of Robert Louis Stevenson and mother of Isobel and Lloyd Osbourne.-Early life:...
in France, followed her to San Francisco and, after she had obtained a divorce, married her in May 1880. Three days later they were on their way to honeymoon at the Calistoga Hot Springs Hotel. Desiring to stay in the area, they moved from the hotel to an abandoned cabin at the nearby Silverado Mine on Mount Saint Helena
Mount Saint Helena
Mount Saint Helena is a peak in the Mayacamas Mountains with flanks in Napa, Sonoma, and Lake counties of California. Composed of uplifted 2.4-million-year-old volcanic rocks from the Clear Lake Volcanic Field, it is one of the few mountains in the San Francisco Bay Area to receive any snowfall...
. While working on other stories Stevenson kept a journal which became the Silverado Squatters describing many local features, residents and characters.
Calistoga made national headlines in 1881 when Anson Tichenor claimed that he had invented a way to extract gold from the waters of the hot springs. Tichenor's invention was soon proved to be a fraud.
In 1920, Giuseppe Musante, a soda fountain and candy store owner in Calistoga, was drilling for a cold water well at the Railway Exchange when he tapped into a hot water source. In 1924 he set up a bottling line and began selling Calistoga Sparkling Mineral Water. The company became a major player in the bottled water business after Elwood Sprenger bought the small bottling plant in 1970 known today as Calistoga Water Company.
Today, Calistoga retains its charm of yesteryear with a walkable downtown much as it was when spa visitors arrived by train.
At the very top of the Napa Valley, centrally located between Napa and Sonoma counties, Calistoga remains the historic hot springs resort destination of wine, water, and wellness.
Named a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation...
in 2001, Calistoga enables a visitor to see wine country as it was before freeways and fast food - only two-lane roads lead there and fast food franchises are banned by law.
Scenes from the Disney movie Bedtime Stories
Bedtime Stories (film)
Bedtime Stories is a 2008 American family-fantasy-comedy film directed by Adam Shankman that stars Adam Sandler in his first appearance in a family-oriented film...
starring Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
were filmed in Calistoga in June, 2008.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Calistoga had a population of 5,155. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,972.4 people per square mile (761.5/km²). The racial makeup of Calistoga was 3,735 (72.5%) White, 27 (0.5%) African American, 21 (0.4%) Native American, 47 (0.9%) Asian, 10 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 968 (18.8%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 347 (6.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2,545 persons (49.4%).
The Census reported that 5,100 people (98.9% of the population) lived in households, 20 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 35 (0.7%) were institutionalized.
There were 2,019 households, out of which 630 (31.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 927 (45.9%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 189 (9.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 99 (4.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 141 (7.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 20 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 641 households (31.7%) were made up of individuals and 332 (16.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53. There were 1,215 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(60.2% of all households); the average family size was 3.23.
The population was spread out with 1,167 people (22.6%) under the age of 18, 400 people (7.8%) aged 18 to 24, 1,341 people (26.0%) aged 25 to 44, 1,283 people (24.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 964 people (18.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.0 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.
There were 2,319 housing units at an average density of 887.3 per square mile (342.6/km²), of which 1,166 (57.8%) were owner-occupied, and 853 (42.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.0%. 2,545 people (49.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 2,555 people (49.6%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,190 people, 2,042 households, and 1,243 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,997.4 people per square mile (770.7/km²). There were 2,249 housing units at an average density of 865.5 per square mile (334.0/km²).
There were 2,042 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.
The median income
Income
Income is the consumption and savings opportunity gained by an entity within a specified time frame, which is generally expressed in monetary terms. However, for households and individuals, "income is the sum of all the wages, salaries, profits, interests payments, rents and other forms of earnings...
for a household in the city was $38,454, and the median income for a family was $44,375. Males had a median income of $32,344 versus $29,844 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $21,134. About 5.2% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
In the state legislatureCalifornia State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
Calistoga is located in the 2nd Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District, represented by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Noreen Evans
Noreen Evans
Noreen Evans is an American politician in the California State Senate. She is a Democrat representing the 2nd district, encompassing Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, and Napa counties, as well as parts of Sonoma and Solano counties....
, and in the 7th Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Democrat Michael Allen
Michael Allen (California politician)
Michael Allen is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 7th district, encompassing Napa County and parts of Solano and Sonoma counties...
. Calistoga is located in California's 1st congressional district
California's 1st congressional district
California's 1st congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California and presently consists of the northern coastline and includes Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino and Napa counties and parts of Sonoma and Yolo counties.The district is currently...
, currently represented in the United States House of Representatives by Democrat Mike Thompson
Mike Thompson
Michael C. Thompson , is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1999. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes Napa, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties as well as parts of Yolo and Sonoma Counties....
.
Tourist attractions
Calistoga is at the north end of the Napa Valley Calistoga AVACalistoga AVA
The Calistoga AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in the northern portion of California's Napa Valley AVA. The appellation is distinguished by its volcanic soil, high temperatures up to during the day, and cool nights during the growing season due to breezes from the Russian River,...
, part of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
's Wine Country. Thus there are numerous wineries within a short drive. Calistoga itself, however, is noted for its hot springs
Hot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...
spas, a local specialty being immersion in hot volcanic ash known as a mud bath
Mud bath
A mud bath is a bath of mud, commonly from areas where hot spring water can combine with volcanic ash. Mud baths have existed for thousands of years, and can be found now in high-end spas in many countries of the world....
.
Nearby attractions include a geothermal
Geothermal
Geothermal is related to energy and may refer to:* The geothermal gradient and associated heat flows from within the Earth- Renewable technology :...
geyser
Geyser
A geyser is a spring characterized by intermittent discharge of water ejected turbulently and accompanied by a vapour phase . The word geyser comes from Geysir, the name of an erupting spring at Haukadalur, Iceland; that name, in turn, comes from the Icelandic verb geysa, "to gush", the verb...
known as the "Old Faithful
Old Faithful Geyser
Old Faithful is a cone geyser located in Wyoming, in Yellowstone National Park in the United States. Old Faithful was named in 1870 during the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition and was the first geyser in the park to receive a name...
of California" or "Little Old Faithful".
Notable people
- Dick VermeilDick VermeilRichard Albert "Dick" Vermeil is a former American head coach for the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles , St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs...
, former head coach of the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, St. Louis RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
, & Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
was born in Calistoga - In 1880 Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
spent his honeymoon with Fanny Vandegrift a few miles north of Calistoga, living in the bunk house of the abandoned Silverado Mine. The Silverado SquattersThe Silverado SquattersThe Silverado Squatters is Robert Louis Stevenson's travel memoir of his two-month honeymoon trip with Fanny Vandegrift to Napa Valley, California in the late spring and early summer of 1880....
is his story of this adventure. - Former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player Tom SeaverTom SeaverGeorge Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
and his wife Nancy live just south of Calistoga where they have a 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) vineyard
John Wilkinson
Dr John Wilkinson, 1914-2004 was a creator of the current spaSpa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
industry in California. A California native, he first came to Calistoga in 1946 and leased the Pacheateau Resort now known as Indian Springs. In 1952, he and his wife Edy founded Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs. A chiropractor and physical therapist, "Doc" spent his early years in Mexico under the study of Dr. Edmound Szekely, founder of Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico to be later affiliated with The Golden Door. "Doc" served as the mayor of Calistoga, with his wife Edy and they were named "Entrepreneurs of the Year" by CALTIA in 1998. His innovation in alternative health care as a chiropractor and visionary was catalytic in the promotion of the "spa" industry and phenomenon in the U.S. of the "spa" movement. Dr. Wilkinson was instrumental in the combination of alternative therapies and was grandfathered as the first chiropractor deemed Registered Physical Therapist in a landmark California decision with respect to licensing of R.P.T. As an originator of "alternative therapy", i.e. massage, hot tubs, unique health care and preventative medicine, he consulted with luminaries such as Dr. Ornish, Dr. William Tiller, Jack La Lanne and others. His patients included many California and U.S. notables. His followers include luminaries such as Mr. and Mrs Joseph Koret, Moria Archbold, Natalia Makarova, Mrs Charles Crocker, Mrs. Caspar Weinberger, Mrs. George Romney, Dick Vermeil, Rudolf Nureyev and a host of others. "Doc" Wilkinson is considered a founder of the "spa" industry as it has become today.
External links
- City of Calistoga web site
- The Calistoga Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
- Calistoga Tribune (one of two local newspapers)
- The Silverado Squatters by Robert Louis Stevenson
- The Weekly Calistogan (one of two local newspapers)
- Warming Up in the Vineyard, Tom Terrific Article from New York Times 2005-12-28
- Calistoga entry on Wikitravel