Transportation
The most popular means of transportation in the City of Napa is by car. Two major thoroughfares run through the city, providing easy access to the rest of the region. CA-29 connects the city to Vallejo and the East Bay Area to the south and to the Napa Wine Country to the north. CA-12 connects Napa to I-80 to the east and to Sonoma and US-101 to the west. The city is also served by Vine Transit or the Valley Intercity Neighborhood Express, a bus service that serves the entire Napa County and connects the various communities in Napa Valley. Bicycling is also a great way to get around the city, as more bike lanes are being created on major routes. Cyclers can also take the Commuter Bike Path, an off-street route running parallel to the Napa Valley Railroad tracks, connecting the northern and southern parts of the city. The planned Napa River Trail will provide six miles of walking and riding paths from Kennedy Street to Trancas Street.
Parks and recreational activities
The city of Napa operates more than 54 parks, playgrounds, sports fields, a golf course, and more. Within these parks are miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails and acres of open space, including the natural areas along the Napa River. The Napa Valley Vine Trail, a planned 47-mile hiking and biking trail that takes visitors through the famous vineyards and towns of Napa Valley, traverses the City of Napa. As of 2020, 12.5 miles have been completed, connecting Kennedy Park in South Napa to the city of Yountville. The most popular parks and outdoor recreation facilities in Napa include:
- Alston Park: This 157-acre facility is bordered on one side by Redwood Creek, a Napa River tributary, and features three miles of hiking, biking, and riding trails going through grasslands, an old plum orchard, meadows, and madrone groves. From the banks of Redwood Creek, the trail leads to picnic areas and overlooks providing stunning views of Napa Valley.
- Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park: Featuring an authentic 1846 mill that once served Napa Valley settlers, the park is a great place to learn about the lives of the earliest settlers in California. The park leads to the History Trail, a moderate, 2.4 mile round trip trail that leads to the Bothe Napa Valley State Park and features Pioneer Cemetery, where some of the valley’s earliest pioneers were interred, and White Church, the first church in the valley named after its founder Minister Asa White.
- Skyline Wilderness Park: Skyline Wilderness Park features nine trails covering 2.5 miles, some of which lead to the picturesque Lake Marie or pass through a nine-hole disc golf course or other scenic trails. The park is also home to the Martha Walker Garden, a 2.5-acre site that features numerous plant varieties found in California.
- Kennedy Park: Running along the Napa River, Kennedy Park has five picnic areas, softball, soccer, and volleyball fields, a children’s playground, and the 18-hole Napa Golf Course.
Attractions
Napa’s top attractions center around the valley’s wine-producing culture. The city is home to vineyards and wine tasting rooms where you can sample Napa Valley’s best products, as well as food pairings and even live entertainment. More than that, Napa also boasts fantastic outdoor adventures, unique shopping experiences, and other attractions that have nothing to do with wine.
Wine bars and wine tasting rooms
The City of Napa is home to about 23 wine bars and wine tasting rooms, and more are expected to come. Most of the valley’s wineries are located outside the city, but not all of them have the capacity to host visitors, so they look to Napa to establish their wine tasting rooms. Some of the top wine destinations in the city include:
Hot air balloon rides
Get a bird’s eye view of the lush and beautiful Napa Valley below through these exciting balloon rides. Several operators in Napa and neighboring cities offer these safe and magical rides all year round, as long as conditions permit.
They include:
Downtown Napa
Located along the Napa River, Downtown Napa perfectly captures what the city is all about. You’ll find historic wineries, homes, and buildings that now host five-star restaurants, charming shops, and wine bars and tasting rooms. It also features a host of other attractions, such as the River Promenade, a scenic walking path along the river that will take you down Napa’s history. Downtown Napa is the city’s cultural center where you’ll find a historic theater that stages live performances, a jazz performance venue, and the Napa Art Walk, a rotating exhibit of public installation art. In addition, Downtown is a take-off point for outdoor adventures, such as kayaking and paddleboarding on the river, and hiking or biking along the Napa Valley Vine Trail. Downtown Napa’s must-explore attractions include Napa Valley Wine Train, a historic 36-mile round trip train ride that will take you around Wine Country while you enjoy gourmet food and wine on board. Other not-to-be-missed attractions include:
