California's wine country is now famous the world over and comprises both the Napa Valley and the Sonoma Valley. Each year, almost five millions tourists now come to the Napa Valley to enjoy a vacation of vineyard hopping and wine tasting, making this one of the most popular tourism destinations in California and the United States.Most vineyards and wineries around Napa Valley actively welcome tourists, offering guided tours, information about their wines, and plenty of opportunity to sample the produce. Some 300 individual wineries are spread around this part of California, being located within the towns of Calistoga, Napa, Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena, and spread along the Silverado Trail.
Napa Valley Tourist Information and Tourism: Top SightsApart from the 300 or so wineries and vineyards spread around the valleys of Napa and Sonama, tourists will find plenty more attractions of interest. For something a little different to wine, the Bear Republic Brewing Company provides regular tours and a chance to taste its award-winning stout and pale ale, while families may well prefer to allure of the beaches around the Sonoma coast, or alternatively, the roller coasters and exotic creatures at the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. If you are simply wishing to spend time sightseeing, then consider cruising along the Napa River, or even a hot-air balloon flight high above the valley itself. More information about Napa Valley Tourist Attractions and Napa Valley Vineyards.
A number of old and rather significant landmarks are located all around the Napa Valley and tourists should try to leave at least a day or two to check out some of the most historic and impressive, which are especially plentiful around the Old Town neighborhood of Napa. The fully-restored Bale Grist Mill is worth a look, as is the Domaine Carneros, which is thought to be one of North America's most beautiful palatial mansions and home to its very own vineyard. If you are staying near Calistoga, then a visit to the Old Faithful Geyser of California is a must, where hot steaming water is spurted high into the sky roughly ever half hour. More information about Napa Valley Landmarks and Monuments.
Whilst you wouldn't necessarily be spending a vacation in the Napa Valley to check out the museums and culture, there are some very good museums on offer, particularly at Healdsburg, Santa Rose and Helena. Apart from information about the valley's winemaking, museums concentrate on subject matters such as native wildlife, local history, natural science, photography and even poetry. Of note is the Hess Collection Winery in Napa, which not only contains a huge quantity of Californian wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays, but also a staggering collection of thought-provoking contemporary art works. More information about Napa Valley Museums and Napa Valley Art Galleries.
Various nearby attractions present themselves, depending on how far you want to travel during your vacation. If you are prepared for a little driving, Napa Valley is surprisingly close to some major Californian cities, such as Berkeley, Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose and even San Francisco. Also within reach and not to be overlooked is Lake Tahoe, a vast expanse of beautiful blue water, straddling the California and Nevada border. More information about Napa Valley Attractions Nearby.More Napa Valley Information / Fast Facts and Orientation
- Country: USA
- Location: California / Napa County
- Status: region / wine country
- Area: approximately 68 square miles / 175 square kilometers
- Language: American English
- Currency: US Dollar (USD)
- Time zone: GMT - 5 hours Eastern Standard Time (daylight saving time is observed)
- Country dialing code: +1
- Telephone area code: 433 / 707
- Average daily Napa Valley January temperature: 12°C / 54°F
- Average daily Napa Valley July temperature: 34°C / 93°F
