DISCOVER NAPA CALIFORNIA

It can't lay claim to the first premium winery in California (that honor belongs to Sonoma), but Napa California is world famous as a premium wine region!

NAPA - OR - NAPA VALLEY?

Actually - Napa really includes three different, but related identities!

Confused? It's simple, really! There's Napa, the town; Napa Valley, the wine region; and Napa County, where the other two are located.

And there are Napa CA attractions galore, so come along - let's explore all three Napas!

NAPA CALIFORNIA - THE TOWN

The town of Napa is in transition - It doesn't have the same charm and personality that you'll find in Sonoma and around Sonoma Plaza, but it's definitely working on it!

Historic buildings have been restored -

• The Hat Building

• The Napa River Inn

• The Napa Opera House

• The Winship building - just to name a few!

The downtown is being renovated with stylishly designed hotels, shops, restaurants, cafes, and galleries, all well-devised to blend with the historic look Napans wish to preserve.

The Napa California Town Center area on First Street between Franklin & Main is one shining example, as is the area around First Squeeze. Not to be outdone is the Napa River Front District, which includes the Napa Mill.

So have a walk around the town - visit the historic buildings, shop in and around the Town Center & the River Front District, take a walking history tour, have a lovely meal with wonderful wine, and walk the river front! You'll enjoy it, I promise!

NAPA VALLEY - THE WINE REGION

Napa Valley's history is every bit as venerable as Sonoma's - the Wappo Indians contributed the name; Padre Jose Altimura wrote about it in 1823; and the population began exploding during the California Gold Rush.

Napa Valley has been known for quicksilver mines, lumber mills, its natural beauty, its water ways, its healing springs & geysers, and a wide variety of agricultural crops.

Today this 35 mile long valley nestled between the rolling hills is known as a premier premium wine region - the place to come for exquisite wines that rival those from anywhere in the world, gourmet food, beautiful scenery, leisurely bike rides through the countryside, healing springs & geysers (still), hot air ballooning, and the Napa Valley Wine Train!

You can't go wrong with a visit to Napa Valley!

NAPA COUNTY - WHERE NAPA & NAPA VALLEY RESIDE

What's left to talk about? you might be wondering. The answer is, Lots! Napa California & Napa Valley get all the attention, but the rest of Napa County has plenty to offer also!

It's home to the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge; several lakes, including Lakes Berryessa & Hennessey, offer recreational opportunities; you'll find fishing, and boating, and camping, and white water; take a drive in the country and up into the foothills; visit a petrified forest or Old Faithful Geyser of California.

Spend some time at Skyline Wilderness Park for the hiking, biking, and horse trails; or the Carolyn Parr Nature Museum near Westwood Hills Park; and, of course the Robert Louis Stevenson State Park where the famous man spent his 1880 honeymoon - you'll enjoy the wild terrain and evergreen forests! If you're very brave & fit, make the climb to the top of Mount St. Helena.

But, I have to admit, most people come to Napa California for the wineries, the fine food, the luxurious spas, and - did I mention? - the wine tasting (check here for some Wine Tasting Tips!)

Whatever your reason for coming you're sure to have a wonderful time, whether you come for the day, the week, or for a month!

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