The Calistoga Inn has been a favorite of mine for years. It is known in my family as the go-to lunch and brunch spot post mud bath in Calistoga. The location is everything, the patio is everything, and now they have remodeled and it’s even more beautiful than before.  The Calistoga Inn, a turn-of-the-century era structure, is truly a landmark location in downtown Calistoga. This restaurant and event space was the first brewery in Napa County when it started that portion of it’s business in 1987. The original water tower on the property is now the brewery.  Brad Smisloff is the brewmeister who studied at UC Davis as did the Inn’s owner, Michael Dunsford… we learned that Michael is also the Vice Mayor of Calistoga, which is fitting and fun for this down-to-earth kind of guy.

The most ideal event space at the Calistoga Inn is their Back 40 Beer Garden. This space sits adjacent to the small stream that runs through the property and is directly behind the outdoor patio dining space. This garden area is set with solid wood picnic tables, bright red Adirondack chairs, and market lights strung through the trees overhead. Additional seating can be brought in and the space is ideal for 100 guests seated or slightly larger for a cocktail style event. The area offers a lot of shade from the fruitless mulberries. The Back 40 Beer Garden is the perfect setting for rehearsal dinners, anniversary parties, and other casual, fun, Napa Valley style events.

The newly remodeled indoor restaurant spaces can accommodate groups as large as 100 guests seated between the two connected spaces. The whitewashed walls of the interior immediately draw you in with the modern barn decor with details of custom wine and wood furniture. A full and lively bar is open late night so the first floor of the Calistoga Inn is designed for fun and warm gatherings.

Moving upstairs, the Calistoga Inn has 17 newly remodeled rooms and a separate 350 square foot cottage that sits behind the Inn. This shabby chic hotel offers a European flair of shared bathrooms. From the restored original wood floors, restoration hardware fixtures and accents, and blue and white striped sheets, this affordable Napa inn is the special place for you.
Whether Calistoga Inn is serving it’s guests for dinner, a private event in the Back 40 Beer Garden, or serving for the city’s Dinner In The Street (Calistoga’s annual harvest dinner featuring 45 wineries from the region, and delicious meals prepared by many chefs) you can rest assure it will be amazing!

Love all the images and the great times we enjoy with Vixen photographer, Allison of Allison Stahl Photography.

~Vixen Catrina