Established in 1952, Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs is an iconic property located in Calistoga, Napa Valley wine country’s most northern town.
Set on Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga’s main street, the property is hard to miss thanks to a neon sign that’s served as a landmark for decades. Well-known for its geothermal mineral springs and healing mud baths, the roadside-style motel and spa was originally opened by John “Doc” and Edy Wilkinson. Their children carried on the family tradition until 2019 when the property was sold and underwent a multi-million dollar renovation.
The bones of the property remain the same, but its 50 guestrooms now boast the modern comforts today’s travelers expect when visiting Northern California wine country. I stayed in a Deluxe Courtyard King room on the second floor. (There are no elevators, so if stairs are a concern, be sure to book a room on the ground level.)
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The room had a fun retro vibe; brick walls, painted bright white made it easy for the pair of pinkish bathrobes, and teal blue Galanz refrigerator to catch my eye. Above the king bed, a black and white photo of a trio of ladies relaxing in mud baths paid tribute to the property’s history, but easy to reach USB ports, a bedside Google Nest loaded with property information, and an essential oil diffuser clearly showed the property is keeping up with the times and understands how to make today’s travelers happy. (Complimentary essential oils are provided to guests at check-in.)
Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort offers a variety of room categories and styles. Some rooms have clawfoot tubs, while others have Peloton bikes. Guests can also book a 1924 Victorian with five bedrooms that’s located on the edge of the property.
But the point of staying at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort isn’t to spend time hanging out in a guestroom, it’s to spend as much time as you can soaking in the pair of spring-fed mineral pools. Cabanas, lounge chairs, and colorful murals combine to make doing nothing, a memorable wine country experience.
If you’re truly looking to pamper yourself, check out the spa. In addition to mud bath and mineral bath treatments, sound therapy and a variety of massages can be reserved. Spa guests also get access to a third, covered mineral pool.
Onsite counter-service restaurant, House of Better, offers an all-day dining menu that includes everything from roasted nut and seed granola, to red chile huevos rancheros, grilled fish tacos, and seasonal homemade pie. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
Located in the thick of downtown Calistoga, it’s an easy walk from Dr. Wilkinson’s to an assortment of restaurants, shops and wine tasting rooms. Dozens of Napa Valley wineries are located within a 15-minute drive. If you want to include Sonoma County wine country in your itinerary, you’re only about a half-hour away.
Rates start at $289 a night, plus a $30 resort fee. Parking is free and electric car chargers are available. You can book directly with the hotel online, or compare rates and go through a booking site instead if you find a better deal. Check Hotels.com or Expedia.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
