Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs
- From $90
- 85–104°F
- 1 hr 34 min from San Francisco
- Walk-in OK
Calistoga's resort and spa running since 1952 on Lincoln Avenue, with three geothermal mineral pools, one indoor and two outdoor, set at about 85, 95 and 104°F. The 104°F Hot Spring is adults only. Day visitors can buy pool passes, daybeds and cabanas through ResortPass, and the spa still offers its original mud bath, The Works.
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✓ Verified November 2026
- Price
- From $90
- Water
- 85–104°F
- Nearest town
- Calistoga
- From San Francisco
- 1 hr 34 min
- Reservations
- Walk-in OK
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Hours | Pools daily 9am-10pm (per ResortPass) |
|---|---|
| Season | Open year-round |
Tickets & booking
| Price |
|
|---|---|
| Access | Day pass, walk-ins welcome |
| Booking |
|
Rules
| Ages |
|
|---|
On site
| Pools | 3 |
|---|---|
| Lodging | Yes |
Not stated by the venue: swimwear, dogs.
Water temperature
Soaking-pool temperatures as published by the venue or land agency; they vary with season and flow.
Mineral profile
Total dissolved minerals
676 mg/L
Moderately mineralized · Sodium–chloride (salty, brine-like water)
- pH
- 7.6
- Temp at source
- 145°F
- Lithium
- 1.5 mg/L
- Fluoride
- 9.3 mg/L
- Boron
- 10.5 mg/L
- Iron
- 0.02 mg/L
Lab analysis of the source water at a USGS sampling site (0.1 mi from Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs), sampled 2004–2007 by the USGS and partners (data). Pool water may be cooled, mixed or treated, and spring chemistry is generally stable over decades. We report measurements only; we don't make health claims.
The pools
| Pool | Temp |
|---|---|
| The Spring | 85°F |
| The Warm Spring | 95°F |
| Hot SpringAdults only. One of the three pools is indoor; the venue does not say which. | 104°F |
As published by the venue. Temperatures shift with the seasons and the weather.
Facilities
- Showers: yes
- Towels included: yes
- Food on site: yes
- Drinks / bar: yes
- Massage: yes
| Good to know |
|
|---|
What's here
- three geothermal mineral pools (one indoor)
- adults-only 104F Hot Spring
- The Works volcanic ash mud bath
- mineral whirlpool baths
- geothermal steam room
- poolside daybeds and cabanas
- House of Better restaurant
- operating since 1952
Getting there
- From San Francisco1 hr 34 min75 mi
- From Santa Rosa30 min17 mi
- From Santa Rosa (STS)34 min19 mi
Typical driving time without traffic or snow.
| Elevation | 358 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
|
| Parking | Free on-site parking with Tesla and standard EV chargers |
Things to do near Calistoga
Old Faithful Geyser of California
Privately run geyser that erupts at regular intervals, about 2 miles north of downtown Calistoga.
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Mount St. Helena trails north of Calistoga, including the summit route.
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Redwood and oak trails plus a campground between Calistoga and St. Helena.
Nearby springs
Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa
A retro-styled motor lodge at the north end of Lincoln Avenue, now part of JdV by Hyatt, with outdoor pools and a hot tub filled with mineral water from Calistoga's geothermal springs. MoonAcre Spa on site offers mud baths and massage. Day passes are sold through ResortPass.
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs
A downtown Calistoga resort built around four outdoor pools filled with geothermal mineral water from a well beneath the property, ranging from about 80 to 104°F. The covered, jetted octagonal Jet Pool is adults only. Pools are for room guests and people booking spa treatments, which include traditional volcanic ash mud baths.
Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa and Resort
A family-owned spa and lodge on a residential street near downtown Calistoga, using mineral water from a geothermal aquifer beneath the property. Its gated, partly covered pool runs about 85-88°F, with two adjoining hot spas at 98-100°F and 102-104°F. There is no day use; the pool comes with a stay or any spa treatment, including shared couples mud baths.
Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa: 0 mi · Calistoga Spa Hot Springs: 0 mi · Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa and Resort: 0 mi
Sources (6)
· checked November 2026
Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.