Napa

 

Napa is the second-largest city in California’s Wine Country, following Santa Rosa. It is also the county seat of Napa County and one of five exclusive communities within Napa Valley, including American Canyon, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Founded in 1847, Napa is an older and historic town that started as a jumping-off point for many gold rush-bound 49ers. Today, Napa is a neighbor to some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world. This world-famous wine-growing region is home to more acclaimed wineries than any other single region in the United States.

 

Given its reputation as a legendary wine-drinking destination, it should come as no surprise that Napa is rife with lush, diverse scenery and birthplace to many of the finest winemakers. It’s an idyllic place to live that boasts a near-perfect year-round climate, a vibrant art scene, luxury spas, stylish tasting rooms, and fantastic nightlife. Experience the art of living well in Napa and among spectacular scenery, exquisite wines, and incredible cuisine.

Living in Napa is an unparalleled experience that puts one in one of the most hospitable climates in the world, surrounded by natural beauty and mere steps away from some of the world’s finest food and wine. Real estate is steep here, as this affluent region has a higher than average cost of living, but most believe the pay-off is worth it.

 

Napa is home to some of the best-preserved historic neighborhoods in Northern California. There is also plenty to do in the city, particularly for gourmands and wine aficionados. But even outdoorsy types will find no shortage of recreation available with great golf accommodations and the nearby scenic Napa River. Napa also features more than 60 city parks and numerous hiking trails throughout the city, many of which weave through the lush vineyard scenery.

There are many exciting dining and shopping destinations to explore in Napa. First Street Napa is a wine and culinary collective with excellent retail and lifestyle options at the heart of the valley. The Oxbow Public Market in the Oxbow District is a community gathering place for live music, cooking demos, and epicurean delights. This pet-friendly area attracts people from all over to shop artisanal ingredients used by the best Napa restaurants alongside collectibles, unique gifts, gourmet food, and more. There are also beer and wine tastings to sample, specialty stores to browse, and a farmers market to shop.

 

Witness Napa Valley at its finest with a visit to the century-old wine estate Stags Leap Winery. This castle-like manor sits on 240 acres at the end of a long, private road and offers an exquisite experience unlike any other.

 

Located in Napa’s historic downtown, Cole’s Chop House is a classic American steakhouse recognized as one of the country’s top 100. Owned by a husband-and-wife team, Cole’s specializes in prime dry-aged meats, boasting a sophisticated exterior featuring a mahogany bar and exposed stone walls.

 

Escape to Napa Valley at Carneros Resort, a luxury Napa spa resort nestled on 28 acres surrounded by rolling vineyards. The on-site culinary garden furnishes ingredients for FARM at Carneros, a stylish restaurant providing farm-to-fork dining and an authentic wine country experience.

Napa hosts many celebratory festivals that bring together the very best of the wine country lifestyle, wine, food, music, and performing arts. BottleRock is an annual 3-day event with music, wine, culinary delights, and brews, while the Festival Napa Valley is considered the “10 best days of summer” for its extraordinary line-up of innovative programming and world-class performances.

 

Also, during the summer, the Robert Mondavi Winery hosts an annual Margrit Mondavi concert series, fun, family-friendly addition to any seasonal plans. You can also explore the valley by train anytime with a visit to The Napa Wine Train. Take a 36-mile round trip to St. Helena and back, stopping at many wineries along the way during this scenic, full-day winery tour.

The Napa Valley Unified School District serves American Canyon, Napa, and Yountville, including elementary, middle, high, magnet, and charter schools. Also in Napa is the Justin-Siena High School, a Roman Catholic preparatory day and boarding school in the Lasallian tradition. Napa Valley College is a public community college in Napa.