Introduction to Napa Valley

Just 55 miles north of San Francisco, the city of Napa and its neighboring towns have an overall tourist-centric feel. You'll see plenty of rolling hills, flora and fauna, and vast stretches of vineyards, but they come hand-in-hand with upscale restaurants (which are shockingly increasing by the day despite the down economy), designer discount outlets, rows of hotels, and, in summer, traffic clustered more tightly than grapes on the vines. Even with hordes of visitors during the high season (think Mar-Oct), Napa is still pretty sleepy, focusing on daytime attractions (wine, outdoor activities, and spas) and, of course, food. Nightlife is very limited, but after indulging all day, most visitors are ready to turn in early anyway.

Although the name "Napa Valley" is larger than life, the actual area is relatively condensed and a mere 35 miles long. When the traffic cooperates, you can venture from the town of Napa all the way to Calistoga in a half-hour.