Summary
Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley is the region’s namesake city, Napa. Home to 80,000 residents, Napa is a dynamic city that beckons exploration. With its rich and diverse culture, there is a multitude of experiences to discover in Napa. Serving as the gateway to the world-renowned wine region of Napa Valley, the city attracts visitors from across the globe.
It is evident that Napa’s culinary and beverage culture is flourishing, with no indication of slowing down. As global demand for Napa Valley’s wines continues to rise annually, it is reasonable to believe that Napa will grow as a favored destination for travelers of various backgrounds.
From downtown to the university, Napa offers an enjoyable experience for exploration. It is worth noting that Napa serves as an excellent base for travelers eager to venture into Napa Valley for day trips to wineries and scenic estates.
Whether you are visiting Napa for a wine-centered retreat or simply passing through en route to San Francisco, your experience will undoubtedly be rewarding.
Let us examine the accommodations available in Napa.
Downtown
The most sought-after area to stay in Napa is the Downtown district, where there is a wealth of history to uncover. Located along the riverfront, Downtown Napa is recognized for its late 1800s architecture. The ambiance of Downtown Napa distinguishes it from the more conventional downtown atmospheres found in numerous other cities.
The riverfront promenade is stunning and one of the most picturesque locales in the city. The promenade is adorned with boutique shops showcasing high-fashion items from emerging designers. Dining options abound along the Downtown promenade.
Culinary enthusiasts will feel right at home in Napa. Characterized by international influences and a cadre of creative chefs competing for excellence, Napa is a stimulating destination. La Taberna, a Spanish pintxos establishment, is a local favorite, while Kitchen Door on 1st Street is another highly recommended bistro in Downtown Napa.
Good For: Active Travelers, Art Enthusiasts, History Buffs, Urban Explorers, Couples, Culture Seekers, First-Time Visitors, Families, Food Lovers, Sightseers, Shoppers, Brief Travelers
Neighborhood Highlights: Napa Riverfront Promenade, Napa Riverfront Green, Fuller Park, Napa Valley Wine Train, Oxbow Public Market, Bingo Emporium, St Clair Brown Winery & Brewery, Downtown Joe’s Microbrewery, Jax White Mule Diner, Blue Note Napa Music Venue, Napa 9/11 Memorial Garden, Napa Valley Opera House, Oxbow Preserve, Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant
Hotel Recommendations:
Hotel Napa Valley – A premier choice in Downtown Napa, Hotel Napa Valley offers a delightful breakfast as part of the room rate. The spacious rooms feature a boutique ambiance, complete with open fireplaces and elegant ensuite bathrooms, many of which include deep soaking tubs.
Beazley House Bed and Breakfast Inn – Located on 1st Street in Napa City, Beazley House is a distinguished hotel. Its exceptional breakfast and comfortable accommodations make it a standout choice. This hotel provides a welcoming atmosphere with an added touch of luxury. Complimentary parking is available.
Cabernet House an Old World Inn – This charming hotel in Napa features flat-screen TVs in each room along with complimentary luxury teas. A homemade breakfast is included in the room rate, as well as complimentary breakfast room service. The rooms showcase a heritage aesthetic with wooden furnishings.
Imola
Imola is the prime location for those wishing to immerse themselves in local life. It is particularly suitable for budget-conscious travelers, as this neighborhood hosts numerous chain motels and affordable hotels.
Imola fosters a strong sense of community and is equipped with the amenities necessary for long-term visitors. Offering a more lived-in atmosphere than Downtown Napa, it features supermarkets, clothing stores, and pharmacies in abundance.
The presence of Napa Valley College contributes to the vibrancy of Imola, making it an engaging neighborhood. NapaSport Steakhouse and Sports Lounge is a popular gathering spot for both locals and visitors.
For those who enjoy sports, Imola provides excellent options. Located within the expansive Kennedy Park, Napa Skatepark boasts flawless facilities with numerous ramps and bowls for skaters. Additionally, Napa Golf Course is situated adjacent to the park.
Good For: Active Travelers, Budget Backpackers, Urban Explorers, Couples, Culture Seekers, First-Time Visitors, Families, Food Lovers, Sightseers, Shoppers, Sports Enthusiasts, Long-Term Visitors
Neighborhood Highlights: Kennedy Park, Napa Skatepark, Napa Golf Course, Fairview Napa, Napa Valley Memorial Park, Mi Sueno Winery, Napa Valley College Estate Winery, Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, South Napa Market Place, Shurtleff Park, Century Napa Valley and XD Cinema, Cayetano Juarez Adobe, Skyline Wilderness Park, Martha Walker Native Habitat Garden
Hotel Recommendations:
Best Western Plus Inn at the Vine – This well-regarded hotel in Imola features rooms equipped with desirable amenities, including ample ensuite bathrooms. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool and fitness center, and family rooms are available. A Denny’s restaurant is conveniently located next door.
Hampton Inn & Suites – Napa CA – A wonderful hotel at the heart of the Imola neighborhood, it provides a swimming pool and hot tub for guests. Family-friendly suites offer ample space for relaxation.
Wine Valley Lodge – Situated in Imola, this hotel grants guests access to an outdoor swimming pool and a BBQ terrace. Each room includes kitchenette facilities with a microwave and refrigerator. A continental breakfast, WiFi access, and free parking are included in the room rate.
Union
Located to the north of central Napa, the Union community offers an excellent balance for travelers looking to explore Napa City while maintaining easy access to Napa Valley. This area is characterized by ample green spaces and a friendly community atmosphere.
Just a 6-minute drive from Downtown Napa and a 13-minute drive from Yountville, Union serves as an exceptional choice for road-trippers on a brief journey to Napa.
Union also boasts various dining options, including popular favorites like Starbucks and Whole Foods Market, in addition to smaller, locally-owned establishments. Heritage Eats, known for its gourmet wraps and fresh tacos, is a must-visit, while Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse is highly recommended for an authentic all-you-can-eat Brazilian dining experience, complemented by a happy hour.
Good For: Active Travelers, Budget Backpackers, Urban Explorers, Couples, Culture Seekers, First-Time Visitors, Families, Food Lovers, Sightseers, Shoppers, Sports Enthusiasts, Long-Term Visitors
Neighborhood Highlights: Heritage Eats, Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, St Apollinaris Catholic Church, Grace Church of Napa Valley, Klamath Park, Las Flores Park, Fume Restaurant, Dry Creek Park, Trancas Crossing Park, Napa Valley Visitor Center, Napa Premium Outlets, Downtown Napa, Yountville, Trefethen Family Vineyards
Hotel Recommendations:
Hilton Garden Inn Napa – Widely recognized as a top choice in Napa, the Hilton Garden Inn features a well-equipped fitness center, including a free weights section. The spacious rooms offer city views, and family rooms are available. Complimentary parking is also provided.
Chablis Inn – A well-appointed hotel in Union, Chablis Inn offers contemporary accommodations with just the right size rooms. Each ensuite bathroom features a bathtub and shower. Coffee makers are standard in every room, while some rooms also include refrigerators. WiFi access is complimentary.
Marriott Napa Valley Hotel & Spa – One of the most sought-after hotels in Napa, this establishment features two on-site restaurants and a delightful spa complex. Each room provides access to on-demand movies and cable channels, with attentive and friendly staff available to assist guests.
Yountville
Yountville is perfect for those eager to experience the essence of Napa Valley alongside Napa City. This small town thrives on tourism and greets hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
With a population of just 2,900, the community of Yountville exudes a vibrant and lively atmosphere that is best appreciated through firsthand experience.
Yountville serves as an ideal introduction to the wineries of Napa Valley. From Cliff Lede Vineyards to Jessup Cellars, there are numerous venues to explore. When it comes to dining, travelers have an abundance of choices, including two Michelin-starred establishments: The French Laundry and Bouchon Bistro. Reservations should be made well in advance to avoid disappointment.
In addition, Yountville offers excellent shopping opportunities. After indulging in fine wines, visitors can leisurely wander through V Marketplace.
Good For: Active Travelers, Art Enthusiasts, History Buffs, Urban Explorers, Couples, Culture Seekers, First-Time Visitors, Families, Food Lovers, Sightseers, Shoppers, Quick Travelers, Luxury Travelers
Neighborhood Highlights: The French Laundry, Bouchon Bistro, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Jessup Cellars, V Marketplace, Napa Valley Museum, The Alameda, Yountville Park, Domaine Chandon Winery, Hopper Creek Winery, Bell Wine Cellars, Silverado Vineyards, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, The Caves At Soda Canyon
Hotel Recommendations:
Bardessono Hotel and Spa – This 5-star hotel in Yountville provides unparalleled luxury. The outdoor patio features exquisite furniture, and the staff is highly attentive. Each room is equipped with a 40-inch flat-screen TV, including luxurious amenities such as bathrobes and slippers.
Napa Valley Lodge – A popular choice in Yountville, this hotel offers luxurious amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. Spacious rooms provide complimentary WiFi and minibars, with an exceptional breakfast service.
Vintage House – Set on a serene 22-acre estate, Vintage House features elegant French colonial-style architecture that is extremely photogenic. All rooms include oversized hot tubs and luxury bathrobes, while the property boasts a well-equipped fitness center and expansive gardens.
Calistoga
Small in size yet classified as a city, Calistoga represents a wonderful place to stay in Napa. Located just outside the city limits, it serves as an excellent option for urban explorers seeking a taste of the countryside during their visit to Napa.
Surrounded by hot springs, wineries, and picturesque woodlands, Calistoga is an appealing destination. Although Napa and Calistoga offer family-friendly vacation options, the nature of attractions—primarily wineries—often appeal more to couples.
During your stay in Calistoga, ensure to visit The Old Faithful Geyser of California, which regularly erupts, offering a reliable spectacle for visitors. Don’t forget your camera!
The Sharpsteen Museum showcases an impressive collection of artifacts and exhibitions representing all things Calistoga. Features include stagecoaches and a working model train, making it a delightful outing.
Good For: Active Travelers, Art Lovers, Budding Historians, Urban Explorers, Couples, Culture Seekers, First-Time Visitors, Families, Food Lovers, Sightseers, Shoppers, Quick Travelers, Luxury Travelers
Neighborhood Highlights: Old Faithful Geyser of California, Sharpsteen Museum, Castello di Amorosa, Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, Ca’toga Galleria D’Arte, Napa Valley AVA, Oat Hill Mine Trailhead, Kenefick Ranch Winery, Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, Freemark Abbey Winery.
Hotel Recommendations:
Cottage Grove Inn – An exceptional hotel in Calistoga, Cottage Grove Inn features friendly staff, an excellent location, and a variety of amenities. Set within lush gardens and dense foliage, it offers a tranquil retreat for a perfect stay.
Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa – A family-friendly hotel in Calistoga, Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa features modern, bright rooms with excellent facilities. Each room includes an iHome alarm clock and mini bar, while gourmet coffee is provided at no additional cost.
The Bergson – This unique hotel in Calistoga has received rave reviews over time. Each room has a homely atmosphere, featuring an open fireplace. An impressive breakfast is included in the room rate, and the dedicated staff go above and beyond to ensure guest satisfaction.
