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Napa Downtown
At A Glance
About Napa Downtown
A visit to Napa Downtown is an essential part of any trip to the Napa
Valley. Less than 50 miles and an hour’s drive from San Francisco,
this historic wine country downtown district is a wine-tasters delight
and the unofficial ‘hometown’ of the Napa Valley. Napa Downtown is the
first stop for visitors as they travel up the Valley, which means less
time in traffic, more time for fine wine, food and fun.
History
For more than 150 years, the present-day site of the town of Napa along
the Napa River has served as a center of commerce, government, and
information for the Napa Valley. Officially founded in 1847 by Nathan
Coombs, Napa boasts more pre-1906 structures than any other Bay Area
city. They add character and charm through their Italianate,
Victorian Gothic, Spanish Colonial, Classical Revival, and Art Deco
styles.
Location
Often
referred to as "where the Napa Valley begins," Napa Downtown is located
off CA Highway 29 and Hwy 221 in Napa County. The closest Napa Valley
wine tasting experience means less time for traffic and more time for
fun.
POINTS OF INTEREST
COPIA
COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts offers visitors
wine and food tasting programs, art exhibitions, organic edible
gardens, films, concerts, fine and casual dining.
Napa Valley Opera House
The beautifully restored historic Napa Valley Opera House presents a
range of entertainment, including jazz, classical music, family
programming and comedy.
Napa Valley Wine Train
Visitors to Napa Downtown can embark on a unique and memorable ride on
the famous Wine Train, which combines a delicious culinary experience
with a relaxing journey through California's historic and scenic wine
country.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
There's something cooking year-round in Napa Downtown. Highlights include:
Chef’s Market
Summer
Every Friday evening, Memorial Day through Labor Day
This popular market combines a variety of demonstrations by local
chefs, three stages of music, tasty nibbles from various Napa
restaurants, wine tasting as well as an authentic farmer's market.
Free.
Napa Downtown Wine & Crafts Faire
September
Rated as one of the top three craft shows in Northern California, the
Wine & Crafts Faire, with its 200 vendors, is the largest one-day
outdoor event in Napa and attracts some 25,000 visitors annually.
Wine Country Cajun Festival
Coming in fall 2007!
Holiday Bed and Breakfast Tour
December
Napa Downtown gets all dressed up for the annual Holiday Bed and
Breakfast Tour and Taste event. Inn tours feature holiday decorations
and festive entertainment, and food and wine pairings from Napa's
premiere chefs and winemakers.
WINE TASTING
Napa Downtown has 20 wine-tasting rooms
, all within easy walking distance, offering tastes of thousands of
boutique, limited release and rare wines from Napa Valley and around
the globe.
THE DINING SCENE
Napa Downtown's restaurant scene
has experienced a major metamorphosis since the acclaimed Celadon restaurant
opened in 1996. Today, Napa Downtown has more than 40 restaurants, 40
percent of which are Zagat-rated.
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