http://www.legendarynapavalley.com Content from Napa Valley. en-us Copyright 2012 Napa Valley Destination Council Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:30:09 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=282 Welcome to The Napa Valley—North America’s legendary wine and food capital, where the art of living well is defined and each season holds a story waiting to be discovered! Life feels slower here, lived at a pace where tables are set with care, fine wine and food are created from the bounty of our own vineyards and gardens, and relationships with friends and family gathered around the table are somehow sweeter.When visiting The Napa Valley we invite you to stop by Napa County’s official Visitor Information Center, located in downtown Napa where our friendly and knowledgeable community ambassadors can assist you in creating your own legendary Napa Valley experiences. The Visitor Information Center is located at 1310 Napa Town Center, Napa, and is open from 9am to 5pm, 7days a week, 360 days a year.Your invitation to experience The Napa Valley beckons...take a deep breath, lose yourself in our quiet green and golden hills, renew your body and spirit, taste our legendary wines and cuisine, and experience the people who make this Valley like no other in the world!Charles HenningChairman,Board of Directors Napa Valley Destination Council http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=282 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:40:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=290                         LEFT: A tool of the vineyard management trade gets a rest. CENTER: Stags Leap District is a feature of the east side of the Valley. RIGHT: Aerial view looking toward Oakville, with Mt. St. Helena on the northern horizon. The Napa Valley is a name derived from the language of the area's native Wappo Indians, and has come to mean "land of plenty.” "Napa" has meant a place of natural abundance for centuries—our rivers full of fish, our forests, rolling hills, wildlife, climate, and fertile land for planting crops all combine to make The Napa Valley a place of singular beauty and productivity. The first written description of the land dates to 1823 and was penned by Padre Jose Altimura who estimated that several thousand Wappo Indians inhabited the area. Word quickly spread about the abundance and temperate climate of The Napa Valley and by the late 1840s the area was teeming with quicksilver mines and lumber mills. The region's popularity grew when steamships began traveling from San Francisco to the city of Napa via the Napa River a trip they could make in about three hours. Soon afterwards, the railroad line became available from the ferry terminal at Vallejo on the shores of San Pablo Bay to the city of Calistoga, creating new access to the healing waters of Calistoga's famed hot springs. The Napa Valley has weathered some tough times in its relatively short history. The Valley's once-famed Silverado Mine was exhausted in 1875 after just three years of operation. In 1893 an outbreak of phylloxera, a serious grapevine disease, crippled many of the valley's 140 wineries. Prohibition, enacted in 1920, dealt the final blow to the early wine industry. Only a handful of wineries survived the thirteen years of Prohibition by selling sacramental wines and by selling grapes to home winemakers. Today, however, with vision and perseverance, the industry has greatly surpassed its earlier "golden age," and now boasts nearly 400 wineries producing some of the world's finest wines. The Napa Valley continues to be a thriving agricultural area, a characteristic not typical of communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is thanks to a group of concerned citizens who in 1968 had the foresight to create the first Agricultural Preserve in the State, indeed in the entire nation. A  land zoning ordinance voted on by a majority of the county’s citizens established agriculture and open space as the “best use” for the land within Napa County. The "Ag Preserve," as it is called by locals, has been a model for other areas to follow.  In combination with the Napa County Land Trust, more than 438,000 acres within Napa County have been designated as agricultural preserve or watershed protection lands.  2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Ag Preserve.The Napa Valley offers new discoveries with each return visit. Enjoy the unique character of each town that dots this 30-mile long Valley, and take time to explore and cherish this “land of plenty.” http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=290 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 13:35:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=301 We invite you to explore the vibrant communities of American Canyon, Napa, Lake Berryessa, Yountville, Oakville/Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga.  Stay, relax, and "live like a local" as you discover each community's unique character and charm. http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=301 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:47:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=453 W h e r e  Y o u r  N a p a  V a l l e y  E x p e r i e n c e  B e g i n s                           LEFT: A serene view of the Wetland Preserve. CENTER: The Jack & Bernice Newell Open Space Preserve.RIGHT: A black-shouldered kite on his perch at the Wetland Preserve. While most of the towns in The Napa Valley have a history that dates back to the 1800s, American Canyon is the “new kid on the block.” American Canyon was incorporated in 1992 and is located at the southern end of Napa County.  American Canyon is just beginning to reach full stride with exciting new retail, restaurant, and venues being developed to serve both locals and guests.   Although American Canyon is developing at a rapid pace, it shares in The Napa Valley's commitment to preserving natural, open space. Bordering the west side of this town is the Wetland Preserve, a haven for “birders.” A scenic walkway makes the Wetland Preserve perfect for a stroll as well as unobstructed views of Mt. Tamalpais further to the west. Bring your camera as you will find numerous species of birds living in this favored habitat.   The east side of town is framed by 640 acres known as the Newell Open Space. Public access to these lands is planned for the near future with beautiful hiking areas and wonderful views of San Pablo Bay. Three golf courses are located in the south of the Valley, making American Canyon a great location for the golf enthusiast. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is also conveniently located nearby.   For more information about planning your trip to American Canyon, visit the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce Tourism site at http://www.amcanchamber.org or call directly (707) 552-3650. http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=453 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:55:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=454 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=454 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:28:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=455 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=455 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:28:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=456 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=456 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:10:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=457 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=457 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:29:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=458 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=458 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:29:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=614 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=614 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:07:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=452 W a t e r,  W i l d l i f e,  a n d   W i n e                           LEFT: Lake Berryessa at sunset. CENTER: Smittle Creek Trail wanders through stands of oak and grasslands.RIGHT: Oak Shores Park is a popular picnic area. Nestled in eastern Napa County just a few miles from the legendary Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa and the surrounding area - our Napa Back Roads - offer year-round fun and recreation for all ages. • Spectacular vistas • Great fishing • Award-winning wineries • Miles of nature trails • Quiet coves for kayaks and picnics • Food and fun • Warm summer water for swimming, boating, jet skiing and wakeboarding • Gathering places for group activities The Bureau of Reclamation maintains three free public day use facilities: Smittle Creek Park, Oak Shores Park, and Capell Cove Public Launch Ramp. The parks include picnic sites with BBQ grills, water fountains, restrooms, and miles of shoreline to enjoy. Lake Berryessa is one of the largest bodies of fresh water in California. It's approximately 26 miles long, 3 miles wide, with 165 miles of shoreline. The best way to appreciate the lake is from the water which is 75 degrees warm in the summer. The scenery is spectacular all year. You'll find many quiet coves to enjoy swimming, kayaking, and relaxing. Or take to the water for wakeboarding, tubing, or skiing. No matter how you access Lake Berryessa, you'll drive through beautiful valleys. A “must see” is Glory Hole and the Monticello Dam. The Monticello History Exhibit in the Spanish Flat Village Center will show you what life was like before the dam flooded the Berryessa Valley and covered the old Town of Monticello. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the area. Stay for a while at a lake front resort. Rent a houseboat. Taste award-winning wines. Enjoy dining at one of the local haunts. Enjoy all of what Lake Berryessa has to offer!   http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=452 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:17:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=459 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=459 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:29:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=460 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=460 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:29:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=461 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=461 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:11:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=462 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=462 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:29:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=463 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=463 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:29:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=424 I m a g i n e   t h e   P a s t   a n d   D i s c o v e r   t h e   F u t u r e                             LEFT: The restored Napa Valley Opera House in downtown Napa. CENTER: Mustard grows in the rows of a Carneros hillside vineyard. RIGHT: Churchill Manor is a magnificent example of the wonderful Victorian homes found in Napa. The City of Napa is on the move with a new riverwalk, the Oxbow district, and a vibrant, walkable downtown filled with restaurants, specialty retail shops, and wine tasting rooms. The origins of the City of Napa as a busy wharf city and "silver lode” town in the 1850s and the energy of this rich history are felt today in the carefully planned redevelopment of the city's core. The Napa Mill and Napa Riverfront Projects are the largest redevelopment projects in Napa's history. What was once a grain mill with 99-foot-tall silos and docks along the historic Napa River has become a specialty mecca. Exciting restaurants, gift shops, clothing stores, an art gallery, a spa, an evening jazz club, and a boutique hotel combine to create an attractive,  bustling atmosphere along the river.  Stroll along the riverfront, enjoy the Napa River ARTwalk, and feel the energy of a city that is embracing its future.The Napa Valley Opera House is the cultural heart of The Napa Valley. The "Grand Old Lady" of 1879 houses the intimate Margrit Biever Mondavi Theatre and  provides an ideal venue for a variety of professional performances. Adding to the warm kaleidoscope of Napa's history and culture is the new Oxbow Public Market.  Here you can enjoy a glass of wine while sitting on the patio overlooking the Napa River's oxbow, browse specialty food and retail shops, pick up some fresh produce, or grab a delectable bite to eat. This is a stop not to be missed. Check out the vibrant "West End" where new restaurants, tasting rooms and galleries blend with the city's newest live music venue, the beautifully refurbished Uptown Theatre. The City of Napa now opens its arms to the river that made it the center of commerce for The Napa Valley and today blends urban cool with an authentic small town charm that is simply captivating! For more information about planning your trip to Napa, visit http://www.DoNapa.com  http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=424 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:52:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=425 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=425 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:30:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=426 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=426 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:30:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=427 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=427 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:11:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=428 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=428 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:51:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=429 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=429 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:31:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=612 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=612 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:01:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=613 http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=613 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:06:00 CST http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=412 D i s c o v e r   T h e   M a g i c   T h a t   I s   Y o u n t v i l l e                           LEFT: An aerial view of Peju Province. CENTER: Blue skies and hot air ballooning in Yountville.RIGHT: A great fireside dining experience at 25° Brix Restaurant. The Town of Yountville, renowned for its world-class restaurants and award-winning chefs, has earned the unofficial title of "Culinary Capital of The Napa Valley." From French, Italian, Pacific Rim, Bistro and California cuisines to down-home comfort food, fine dining and unmatched ambiance are yours to discover in Yountville. Located within walking distance of the Town's well-appointed hotels and small luxury inns are premium wineries, spas and exciting shopping options. In Yountville, one can indulge in a quiet romantic dinner for two, casual patio dining, a leisurely lunch overlooking a vineyard or a cappuccino and croissant curbside. It's your choice as you discover the culinary magic in this very special community. The first settler in The Napa Valley, George Calvert Yount, saw the area as a paradise, and gave it his name. To be sure, Yountville is filled with many treasures waiting to be discovered. One such treasure is the restaurant known as The French Laundry. Originally constructed as a residence in 1900, the building that houses the restaurant was at one time also a popular saloon.  Today The French Laundry is widely recognized as “the place to dine” in America and is well-known around the world—reservations are accepted two months in advance. Yountville has been known as a relaxing and special destination for generations. Today’s guests come back again and again for the ambiance of the fine accommodations, restaurants and shopping areas that are all knitted together into a town that is walkable and relaxed.   For more information about planning your trip to Yountville, visit the Yountville Chamber of Commerce Tourism site at http://www.yountville.com or call directly (707) 944-0904. http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/sitelink/index.cfm?contentid=412 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:00:00 CST