Napa Car Rental

Guide to Napa

Geography

Napa is the center of Napa Valley, a region recognized as an American Viticulture Area. The area’s terrain is mostly flat, but there are some gentle hills to the south. The Napa River, which cuts through the town, is both iconic as well as infamous for its flooding.

Climate in Napa

Being close to the Californian coast, Napa experiences Mediterranean weather – rainy, cold winters and hot, dry summers. Most tourists visit in the wine harvest season, between August and October, but if the point is to avoid crowds, travel here in spring (March-May).

Culture

Napa is all about wine, wine and more wine! Napa’s first winery was opened in 1859, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that it gained an international reputation for making excellent wines. Life in the town remains secluded, though the onset of the tourist season each summer brings a buzz to its streets

Things to do in Napa

Savor fine wine

Napa has more reputed wineries than you can count on both hands but if you must start your tasting tour somewhere, try either Mayacamas or Matthiasson Wines. Mayacamas, which was first set up in the 19th century, uses a unique oak aging process on all its wines. Mathhaison, on the other hand, was set up in 2003 and it focuses on keeping its wine ingredients as organic as possible.

Once you’ve had a few sips, you may want to visit a spa or take a stroll in one of the city’s vineyards.

Appreciate local art

Every year, the organizers of the Napa Art Walk showcase art installations created by local artists to showcase Napa’s histo-cultural and aesthetic values to tourists. The goal is to not only enrich Napa’s cultural fabric but also enhance the visibility of local artisans’ talents. If you’d like to hear each artist describe their work, download the OtoCast app while taking the walk.

Explore the grand outdoors

Napa has a number of parks, most of which are pet-friendly. Visit the Skyline Wilderness Park for hiking or camping as it offers over 25 miles of trails. While exploring the park, make sure to visit Martha Walker Gardens for its incredible display of plants from across California.

Eating out in Napa

While in Napa, make sure to check out the Oxbow District, where you’ll find some of the town’s most popular restaurants. Oxbow Cheese and Wine Merchant, a part of the Oxbow Market, is a great place in which to get a quick snack. Do try the Reserve Cheese Board here. Mondays are rarely fun, but Monday Bakery tries to make them a little less dreary with its Lazy Croissants and blueberry muffins. The live music and views of the Napa River only make the creamy Cajun Penne Pasta at Downtown Joe’s even better. For the best Chinese food in town, head to Jade Garden and order the Mongolian beef.

Napa Transport

Airport

Napa doesn’t have a commercial airport of its own. To get to the town, you’ll need to fly to Oakland, San Francisco, or Sacramento, then take a bus or cab.

Internal transport

You can tour the entire valley via the Napa Valley Wine Train. Alternatively, if you want the flexibility to stop at vineyards of your choosing along the way, you should hire a taxi or rent a car instead. Some of the most reputable car rental agencies serving Napa are Avis, Enterprise, and Hertz.