Napa Valley, California

Individuals come from all over the world to visit or live in the Napa Valley wine region.

A Wonderful Place to Visit and Live

Napa Valley, California, known to most as Wine Country, is located north of San Francisco and west of Sacramento. It is a place where vineyards travel as far as the eye can see and nature is right there at your doorstep. There are so many reasons why Napa Valley has become home to large numbers of individuals and a frequent vacation destination for wine lovers throughout the world.

Wine, Wine and More Wine

Perhaps one of the most widely discussed trademarks of Napa Valley is the large amount of vineyards and wineries which fill this scenic area. Many visitors come to Napa Valley each year simply to take part in wine tours and engage in wine tasting sessions. From merlot and cabernet sauvignon to sparkling wine and chardonnay, Napa Valley wineries aim to please.

Due to the large amount of vineyards within Napa Valley that offer tours to visitors and locals alike, it may be necessary to choose a few specific vineyards in which to visit as there is only so much time and so many aspirins. The best way to limit the choice of wineries is to make a list of ones which appeal the most. If an individual likes a certain brand of wine, then it is important to visit that particular winery in order to taste a glass of the favorite type. On the other hand, if the individual wishing to tour the wineries has a specific type of wine in mind that is a favorite, then perhaps asking for recommendations as to who has the best wine and vineyard for that particular variety. Frequently, the hotel or resort where an individual is staying will have staff members on hand that answer questions of this kind. It is beneficial to ask someone from the area who knows the vineyards very well.

Napa Valley Fine Dining

After a long day of wine tours and tasting, hunger starts to take hold of an individual and one may wonder where to find a good meal. The answer is simple - almost anywhere. Some of the finest chefs in the world have restaurants in the Napa Valley area. After all, with fine wine one needs fine food. If you appreciate fine dining, you will enjoy the savory cuisine that can be found at the abundant selection of world-class Napa Valley restaurants.

Many Napa Valley restaurants offer contemporary Californian wine country cuisine, including Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford and Napa Valley Grille in Yountville. At Celadon in Napa Valley, one can taste delicious meals that are a combination of Mediterranean, Asian and American influences. Of course, a vast selection of exquisite wines is available to accompany the meal. Just be sure to end the meal with a homemade dessert from their extensive after dinner selection.

Another highly recommended restaurant in Napa Valley is the Royal Oak at the Silverado Resort. This elegant steakhouse is set on a golf course and diners can enjoy wonderful views while indulging in the delicious entrees and specialty wines. The combination of excellent food and tantalizing wines make this restaurant a fine dining experience.

Napa Valley Lodging

For the visitors to the Napa Valley, the lodging facilities that one will encounter in this area are the ideal vacation spots in and of themselves. There are a large number of quaint inns and bed and breakfast accommodations that make the Napa Valley experience even that more enticing. More than just a room for the night, these accommodations provide excellent food, activities and other exciting amenities to the Napa Valley tourist.

The Vintage Inn is one such establishment which provides an atmosphere like no other. The architecture of the inn is of a French countryside style and is quite the romantic getaway for couples eager to tour the Napa Valley vineyards. Along with its beautiful accommodations, the amenities are superb as well. Each morning, guests are treated to a champagne breakfast in the reception area of the inn and upon check-in guests will receive a complimentary bottle of wine. The inn is of such a wonderful quality that it is almost difficult to leave the accommodations for the day.

Another wonderful place to stay in the Napa Valley region is the Napa Inn Bed and Breakfast. The inn is comprised of two Victorian buildings and the rooms are of a splendid décor style which feature some antique furniture and a welcoming fireplace. In the afternoon, wine and fresh baked cookies are offered to the guests of the inn who can indulge in all that this beautiful timepiece has to offer. It is a great place to come back to after a long day in the vineyards.

Napa Valley Real Estate

As for those individuals who are looking to come to Napa Valley and remain on a more permanent basis, the real estate industry in the area is booming. From large to small, old to new, Napa Valley real estate has something to offer almost everyone. For a smaller, older home, one can find something in the range of $600,000. If one is looking for a larger home which was recently built, something of this type could run in the range of $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 and even more than that if it is something that has a large acreage and wonderful vineyard views. These are just some examples of price ranges for homes currently on the market. Depending upon a number of factors, individuals can find homes that are less or more expensive in order to meet their budget.

When looking for a home in the Napa Valley region, there are a few different ways to go about doing so, such as utilizing the Internet and the help of a good realtor. If one is moving from say the East coast of the United States, the Internet is a great way to search for homes in the area. Most realtors these days have their own websites which contain current real estate listings. By perusing websites such as these, one is better able to see what is on the market. Once the individual finds a few that he/she is interested in learning more about, it is then best to retain a realtor to help in the home search if a purchase of a house in the Napa Valley region is imminent. That way, the realtor can do the legwork on the West coast while the homebuyer is still on the East coast.