Understand
At least since the 1700s, Calistoga's distinguishing characteristic has been its hot springs, used initially by the native Wappo for medicinal purposes. After the time of Spanish missions and Mexican ranchos, Samuel Brannan bought 2000 acres, founding Calistoga and starting the Indian Springs resort. The resort eventually went into the hands of Doctor John Wilkinson, the founder of the spa industry.
Due to the spa industry, the California wine boom of the 1970s which Calistoga is responsible for through Chateau Montelena Winery's surprise Chardonnay win at the 1976 French blind tasting, the ensuing tourism, and the proximity to San Francisco which in turn has fueled more tourism, Calistoga, like the rest of the Napa Valley, has maintained very high property value which has increased the cost of living and essentially the price of everything from coffee to gasoline.
