Across from Calistoga's picturesque 1902 City Hall (originally an opera house), this museum was founded by Oscar-winning Disney animator Ben Sharpsteen to showcase local history and fantastic dioramas of Calistoga in the 1860s, capturing noodle shops in Calistoga's Chinatown and cowboys bathing in Calistoga mud baths. Highlights of the collection include a Victorian dollhouse, portable bookcases lugged overland by Donner Party pioneers, and well-worn antique fire-fighting equipment. Next door, walk through a lovingly restored two-room gingerbread cottage from Sam Brannan’s original spa resort.
The plaza in front of Sharpsteen Museum hosts Calistoga's year-round farmers market (9am to 1pm Saturday). Stop by for freshly baked pies, local olive oil, smoked California salmon, flowers, jams and handcrafted gifts.
