How This Small Northern California Town Quietly Became The Coolest Place In The West

Calistoga, California, is a small town in NorCal, but don't let its diminutive size fool you: It's secretly the coolest town in NorCal! While many Northern Californians are familiar with this gorgeous town that's home to many a famous landmark, many out-of-towners have probably never even heard of it. Well, that's about to change! Over the years, Calistoga has quietly become one of the best small towns in NorCal.

1. Old Faithful of California

Calistoga proves you don't need to go to Yellowstone National Park to see a regularly erupting geyser. The world-famous Old Faithful is certainly a sight to behold.

2. Petrified Forest

Millions of years ago, a volcano erupted and buried a nearby forest in lava. What started as a natural disaster has become a natural phenomenon, as these million-year-old trees were preserved in a process called petrification.

3. Palisades Trail

Calistoga's rustic landscape makes the town a great destination for avid hikers. This trail will offer you spectacular views of Napa Valley.

4. Wine Country

One of Napa wine country's first moments of stardom happened when a wine from Calistoga's Chateau Montelena Winery beat out the French wines at a blind taste testing in Paris. You can bet that news broke the hearts of many a Francophile, while also putting Napa on the map.

5. Natural Hot Springs

Calistoga was first developed back in the 1880s to take advantage of the town's many natural hot springs. If you've had a long day of hiking, wine-tasting, and exploring, all you'll want to do is take a soak in a hot spring, and watch all your troubles fade away.

6. Robert Louis Stevenson State Park

This state park is one of the shining jewels of California's park system. You'll see gorgeous views of the valley below. Choose from a multitude of different route options for the one that suits your physical activity level the best.

So, do you agree that Calistoga, California, is the best town in NorCal? (Hot springs and wine country? Yes, please!) Want to visit some other areas that are just as cool as Calistoga? Why not check out some of these amazing NorCal destinations!