tmagyari

We're coming to Napa Valley for a wedding at V. Sattui and have rented a house in St. Helena. We're interested in seeing some scenery and possibly doing a short hike--we're not planning on doing wineries on this trip, and we'll only have 3-4 hours. Any suggestions for a loop drive we could do in a few hours within the valley with a recommended place to hike/picnic? Thanks so much for your thoughts and suggestions.

dbdurand

Interesting question. This is the first answer that Google brings up regarding the drive.
http://www.napanow.com/scenic.html

Kailani

The Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park is close by, and it's a nice hike as well as interesting historically. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=482

tmagyari

I've been up the valley on Rt 29 and was wondering about the Silverado Trail, so thanks for the link, dbdurand. Thanks, Kailani for the tip on BGSHP--looks like a nice hike and not too far to drive.

We're hoping to get to Calistoga on Sat afternoon--which might be a zoo, but that's when we have, so we could easily stop off at the BGMSP on the way there or back to stretch our legs.

This is a bit off topic, but does anyone know of a place they could recommend in Calistoga where you can come in just for a swim in the mineral water pools? I stayed at a motel there in the mid-80s with pools but don't know if you can use them without staying there. I don't think we'll have time for other spa services, though the mud bath was pretty awesome 30 years ago.

montereybob

At the Indian Springs resort in Calistoga you can get a day pass to use the mineral pool for $20.

tmagyari

Thanks, montereybob. Has anyone been to pools at the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs? how does this compare to Indian Springs pools? pros/cons? we might get a mud-bath too, time permitting.