While small in both size and population, Calistoga is still one of northern California’s top tourists destinations thanks to its famous mineral hot springs, an assortment of world-class wineries, and a relaxed small town feel that’s hard to overlook when deciding on a new place to call home. In fact, the National Trust for Historic Preservation just recently recognized the city of Calistoga as a “Distinctive Destination,” which are places described as diverse historic sites all across the U.S. that help illustrate the different and various layers of the American story, both past and present. Today, more than 5,000 people call Calistoga, CA home, while the town’s total area stretches just 2.5 square miles, or about 1,620 acres.
Many homes in the Calistoga community are just as quaint and charming as the town itself, which keeps housing demand here high. The Napa River runs almost directly through the middle of town, so riverfront houses tend to be some of the more sought-after properties in Calistoga—but that’s only if you’re lucky enough to find something available on the open market. Country estates, farmhouses, and impressive Victorians just blocks of the main downtown drag all help fill out Calistoga’s impressive housing landscape, and compared to many other parts of Northern California, home prices here can actually be somewhat reasonable.
When it comes to local amenities and attractions in Calistoga, it’s really all about what the downtown area provides. From countless restaurants and cafes to all sorts of eclectic boutiques and low-key wine bars, Calistoga truly features an almost storybook-like downtown that makes for the perfect place to live and enjoy being a part of the Napa County family as a whole. Of course outside of town sits any number of different wineries, and Calistoga is also home to the Mount St. Helena Golf Course, which is a short 9-hole golf course that’s great for golfers at any level.
As you might expect from reading a little bit about the town’s roots, historic homes are especially prevalent in the Calistoga community, with large Victorian houses often touted as being some of the area’s most coveted properties on the local real estate market. Newly built homes are also common on the outskirts of town, as are luxury homes that also include plenty of open land, privacy, and countryside views that are nothing short of breathtaking. In terms of something a bit more affordable, mobile homes also play a fairly significant role on the Calistoga real estate market, while traditional single-family homes here usually start somewhere in the mid-$600,000s and go up from there.
Much like other nearby Napa County communities, a number of vineyards and wineries lie just outside of the Calistoga area, including Kenefick Ranch Winery, Castello di Amorosa, and Schramsberg Vineyards. Outside of wine culture, Bothe-Napa Valley State Park sits just south of town, and the Mt. St. Helena Golf Course also lies just blocks from downtown Calistoga on the Napa County Fairgrounds. And as a casual, 9-hole golf course, it’s undoubtedly a great place for anyone to get outside and enjoy a day out on the course, regardless of skill level or experience.
Over the past year, home prices have been a widely debated topic. Some have said we’ll see a massive drop in prices and that this could be a repeat of 2008 – which hasn’t happened. Others have forecasted a real estate market ...
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