Most people think of spending the day at the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs in northern Napa, however it turns out that the pools really heat up in the evening. Locals know the best time to visit is after 7pm, when the crowds disperse a little, the pool fees are ten dollars cheaper, and people uncork bottles of wine at the picnic tables nearby. while it's not exactly late night, it's a way to unwind, in that casual, convivial Napa style.
There are four pools at the resort, filled by rain that has been filtered through Napa Valley's alluvial soil, resulting in mineral rich water containing essential elements. The water is then heated by geothermal forces, which can bring temperatures up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit at the source. The pools at Calistoga Spa Hot Springs range from the jacuzzi pool at 104 degrees to 80 degrees, and they advise that the restorative benefits are best experienced moving in a progression from hot to cold.
There's no rule, however, that says you can't settle into that jacuzzi pool, pop open a bottle of newly acquired cab from a day of tasting and luxuriously sip into the night (at least until 9pm) with a great group of friends.
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