Set at the southern end of the Napa Valley, Napa is the gateway to what's known as California's Wine Country. The dry summers and mild winters create a Mediterranean climate ideal for growing grapes, and wine seeps into all parts of life here. “Instead of being offered a cup of coffee when you arrive at someone’s house, you’re offered a glass of wine. It’s a natural part of things,” says Heli Sairanen, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley who’s sold homes in Napa for 48 years. Millions come to the city each year to sample the area’s wines, and many of the around 80,000 residents work in the city’s service industry or in wine manufacturing. Napa State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital off Imola Avenue, is another big employer. “The town of Napa relies so much on wine tourism that it really is part of the culture,” says Dean Castelli, a Realtor with Winderemere Napa Valley Properties who’s lived here for 27 years. “Everywhere you go, you run into winemakers and winery owners. There’s prestige in being in one of the premier wine regions in the world.”
Silverado Resort is full of happy bicyclists at sunset.
So the wind in your hair while on the boat at Napa Valley Vine Trail in Sheveland Ranch.
Downtown Napa's First Street Bridge provides a great view down First Street and over the water.
Riverpark is nestled in the world famous Napa County.
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Tasting rooms and Michelin restaurants in downtown Napa
Downtown Napa is the city’s restaurant hub, filled with several walkable blocks of tasting rooms, boutiques and renowned restaurants like the Michelin-starred Kenzo and La Toque. Just over the river, Oxbow Public Market is full of local eateries and food vendors, as well as homewares and wine. “Any time of day, I can walk through downtown, and I always run into people I know,” Castelli says. “The businesses in Napa understand that it’s the locals that keep them alive and thriving.”
Events also draw the community downtown. January and February bring the annual Napa Lighted Art Festival, and each May, the Napa Valley Expo hosts BottleRock, a three-day music festival that highlights a range of genres, as well as the area’s food and wine scene.
North Napa has several longstanding restaurants where residents can dine without the crowds. Big-box retailers are concentrated along Trancas Street and on Soscol Avenue, and the Napa Premium Outlets offer deals on national brands near Route 29.
Springwood Estates is one of the best places to go wine tasting in Napa County.
The Napa Valley Community Market is hosted in the backyard of Oxbow Gardens in Downtown Napa.
Tourists to Downtown Napa can stop by the Napa Valley Welcome Center to learn more about Napa.
Wine Girl Downtown Napa has a chic and modern atmosphere.
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From Queen Anne houses to gated resort homes
The median home sale price in Napa is around $940,000, higher than the national median of $407,000 but lower than Sonoma's $985,0000 and Calistoga's roughly $1.3 million. “Over the long term, we see about a 7% growth in property values,” Castelli says. “Even over the past few years, where we've seen interest rates climb, property values have held in Napa. But we’ve seen a decline in inventory and motivated sellers.”
The city’s oldest homes are within walking distance of downtown in the Fuller Park and Napa Abajo neighborhoods, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places for their turn-of-the-20th-century Queen Anne, Craftsman and Folk Victorian housing; prices range from around $900,000 to $2.3 million. Midcentury “Devita homes,” which are character-rich ranch-style houses designed by a local builder, are common in southwest and central neighborhoods like Westwood; prices typically range from $540,000 to $1.1 million. Suburban neighborhoods like Brown’s Valley have three-to-five-bedroom ranch-style and split-level homes built after 1960, ranging from $726,000 to $2.5 million. On the city’s outskirts, gated resort communities like Silverado Resort and Stanly Ranch have the most expensive housing, with prices ranging from $1.2 million to $5.2 million. New homes are being constructed in Soscol Gateway South.
Silverado Resort is full of beautiful condos right by the golf course in Napa.
Silverado Resort has a variety of housing options, from condos to large three bedroom homes.
Silverado Resort has homes nestled in the middle of vineyards in Napa.
Silverado Resort has stunning condos with great landscaping in Napa.
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Mountain views and the Napa River
Napa has over 800 acres of parks that range from landscaped green spaces like Fuller Park to rugged hiking trails at Westwood Hills Park. The city’s tree-lined streets earned it the title of "Tree City USA" from the National Arbor Day Foundation for 33 years in a row, 1990 to 2023. Homes can sometimes back up to scenic vineyards, the Vaca Mountains and Mayacamas Mountains rise gently over the rooftops, and the Napa River flows through the city enroute to San Pablo Bay. Nearby, the 850-acre Skyline Wilderness Park is a local favorite for its 25 miles of hiking trails and 18-hole disc golf course.
Silverado Resort is near the Napa River.
A custom-built residence combining luxury and style.
Oxbow Preserve offers a serene escape with natural beauty in Alta Heights.
Valley Views Breathtaking landscapes as seen from the picturesque Alta Heights.
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Reduced flooding risk from the Napa River/Creek Flood Protection Project
Areas near the Napa River are in a Special Flood Hazard Area and are at increased risk for flooding. Homeowners here may have to purchase flood insurance and receive special permits for construction projects. However, the ongoing Napa River/Creek Flood Protection Project has significantly reduced the flooding throughout the city by building levees and restoring wetlands; the last phase of the project is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Like much of California, Napa is also at risk for wildfires. The Napa Communities Firewise Foundation educates the community about fire prevention strategies, like creating defensible space by clearing brush around the home. The city can also experience earthquakes; it sits on the West Napa Fault, which is considered less active than others nearby.
Wine education at Napa Valley College
Local kids can attend schools in the Napa Valley Unified School District, which earns an A-minus from Niche. The private Justin-Siena High earns an A-plus and is ranked by Niche as the top private high school in the county. At Napa Valley College, a public community college enrolling around 6,500 students, future winemakers can get hands-on experience in the Viticulture and Winery Technology Program, offering classes like winery operations and wine chemistry.
McPherson wouldn't be a Napa neighborhood without some beautiful wine grapes.
Silverado Middle School is located in Napa, California.
Vintage High School is home of the Crushers.
Vichy Elementary School provides safe and quality education to students in Napa.
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Routes up-valley on Route 29 and the Napa Valley Vine Trail
Route 29 and the Silverado Trail (Route 121) connect Napa to up-valley destinations like Yountville and St. Helena, and with Highway 12, which leads about 15 miles west to the city of Sonoma. U.S. 101 (locally known as the 101) can be picked up 25 miles west in Petaluma or 30 miles southwest in Novato. Interstate 80 is 13 miles away, leading roughly 49 miles to San Francisco. “We’re 45 minutes from San Francisco, and less than an hour from Sacramento,” Castelli says. “You can be at a beach in just over an hour or in the Sierras skiing in two hours. It’s one of those places where everything is within a two-hour drive.”
The Vine bus provides public transportation throughout the city, and bike lanes and sidewalks make it friendly for cyclists and pedestrians. Upon completion in 2028, the paved Napa Valley Vine Trail will run the entire length of the Napa Valley, providing a cycling route between Calistoga and Vallejo. Napa County Airport, a public airport with no commercial flights, is just south of the city; most locals head the roughly 60 miles to San Francisco International Airport for travel. Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center, the city’s only hospital, is on Trancas Street in the Vintage neighborhood.
A lower crime rate than most of California
According to data from the California Department of Justice, Napa’s rates of violent and property crime increased in 2023; most crimes are concentrated around downtown. However, according to FBI statistics, the rates remain below state and national figures. The police department has around 76 officers who connect with the community through the Sheriff’s Activities League, a program where officers lead local youth fitness activities.
Erin Lail is a 5th generation Napa Valley Vintner and local who brings extensive resources, connections, and knowledge about the land, people, and lifestyle of Napa Valley. With 20 years in the real estate industry, a background in the wine business, and full-service estate management, she offers her clients an unparalleled insider approach to real estate transactions. She has joined Coldwell Banker as an exciting new chapter of her career while continuing to run Honeydew (Estate Management) and as a partner in Lail Vineyards. "It is something I've wanted to do for a long time to complement what I can offer. I'm excited about creating a more well-rounded, start-to-finish experience for clients from the onset until well after they have settled into their new homes. Homes can be your sense of peace and enjoyment; finding what speaks to each individual is essential to me.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
