California Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Napa, California

Population: 65,000

Located in Napa County

The word Napa was probably derived from the name given to a southern Wappo Indian Village whose people shared the area with elk, deer, grizzlies and panthers for many centuries. At the time of the first recorded exploration into Napa Valley in 1823, the population consisted of hundreds of Indians. Padre Jose Altimura, founder of the mission at Sonoma, led the expedition. Spanish and Mexican control remained until the Bear Flag Revolution, and the valley became one of the first in California to be settled by American farmers, who started arriving in the 1830s.

When California was granted statehood, Napa Valley was in the Territory of California, District of Sonoma. In 1850 when counties were first organized, Napa became one of the original counties of California, and in 1851 the first courthouse was erected.

The City of Napa was laid out in 1848 by Nathan Coombs on property he had received from Nicolas Higuerra, holder of the original Spanish Grant. The first business establishment was opened in the new city in 1849.

It was the gold rush of the late fifties that really built Napa City. After the first severe winter in the gold fields, miners sought refuge in the young city from snow, cold, floods and disease. A tent city was erected along Main Street. There was plenty of work in the valley for disillusioned miners. Many cattle ranches were maintained, and the lumber industry had mushroomed. Sawmills in the valley were in operation cutting up timber that was hauled by team to Napa City, then shipped out on the river to Benicia and San Francisco.

In the Twentieth Century, the City of Napa became the primary business and economic center for the Napa Valley. As agricultural and wine interests developed north of the City boundary, much of the light industry, banking, commercial and retail activity in the county evolved within the City of Napa and in earlier times along the Napa River through the Historic Downtown. Even today the bulk of the county population lives in Napa. The active economic development program has continued to support the wine and agricultural activities of the Valley to this day.

This is the "unseen" California! The one that indeed has the "road less traveled." Homes cost less here than in almost any other part of California. Vineyards are the order of the day and large ranches are still common. New construction in the town of Napa is underway, and in sharp contrast other parts of California, homes are definitely affordable. A three bedroom ranch with a two car garage and two bathrooms costs in the region of $350,000. Larger, colonial style homes can cost up to $600,000.

Whoever said that California lacked seasonal changes has never been here! In winter, the Valley floor and surrounding hills are coaxed to green and the wild mustard is a carpet of sunshine. In spring, the grapevines and trees are budding. California wildflowers bloom as far as the eye can see. Days are mild and sunny skies are a deep blue. In summer, the terrain is golden and in contrast to the green vines getting heavy with the maturing grapes. In the autumn, the leaves turn all shades of red, orange and yellow.

For a piece of heaven here on earth, you cannot go wrong with famous Napa, and the equally famous Valley. Come and fall in love with Napa, you'll never want to live anywhere else!