Napa walking tour & city guide
The riverside town at the door of California's most famous wine valley.
6 videos · uploaded 2020–2024
Downtown Napa Walking Tour
Video by Traveling with Andrew · Aug 2021 · All rights belong to the creator
All rights belong to the creator.
About this video
A sunny July 2021 walk through downtown Napa. It starts on quiet side streets, passes busier storefronts and patios, and reaches the Napa River for a bridge crossing and a stroll along the riverfront promenade and the old mill area, ending by the 'Fish On' sculpture.
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City guide
Napa on foot
Napa is the town at the southern end of Napa Valley, the most famous wine region in the United States. Its walkable downtown along the Napa River has old stone and brick buildings, a riverfront promenade, tasting rooms and a food hall, and it is the starting point for the valley's string of small towns and vineyard roads to the north.
Downtown Napa and the riverfront
Downtown Napa is compact and easy on foot. First Street and Main Street are lined with tasting rooms, cafés and restaurants in late 19th-century buildings, including the old opera house, and a promenade follows the Napa River past terraces and footbridges. Just across the river, the Oxbow Public Market gathers local food producers under one roof.
Up the valley
Two roads run north through the valley: Highway 29 on the west side and the quieter Silverado Trail on the east, both lined with vineyards and wineries. Along the way are the small towns of Yountville, known for its restaurants, St. Helena with its main street of shops, and Calistoga at the top of the valley, famous for hot springs and mud baths. The Napa Valley Wine Train runs vintage carriages between Napa and St. Helena.
A classic Napa walk
Start at the Oxbow Public Market, cross the river and follow the riverfront promenade into downtown. Walk along Main Street and First Street past the opera house and the tasting rooms, then loop back along the river. The walk is about 3 kilometres and works well before an afternoon in the vineyards.
Visiting tips
Harvest season, from about August to October, is the busiest and most atmospheric time, with grapes being picked and festivals in the towns. Spring is greener and quieter. Many wineries require reservations for tastings, and if you plan to taste, arrange a driver, a tour or the wine train rather than driving yourself.
Don't miss
Top sights in Napa
- 1
Downtown Napa Riverfront
A promenade along the Napa River.
- 2
Oxbow Public Market
A food hall of local producers.
- 3
Napa Valley Wine Train
Vintage carriages through the vineyards.
- 4
Silverado Trail
A scenic road along the east side of the valley.
- 5
Yountville
A small town known for its restaurants.
- 6
Calistoga
Hot springs and mud baths at the top of the valley.
Eat
Food markets & where to eat in Napa
Oxbow Public Market
Food stalls, cheese, oysters and coffee.
Downtown Napa
Restaurants and tasting rooms on First and Main Streets.
Yountville
A small town with a big dining reputation.
Taste
Food to try in Napa
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The valley's signature red wine.
Farm-to-table cooking
Seasonal dishes from local produce.
Local cheese and olive oil
Made on farms around the valley.
On foot
Walking guides by travel writers
Hand-picked walking routes for Napa from independent travel writers. Preview the streets in the videos above, then follow their route on foot.
- Downtown Napa in a Day (opens in a new tab)
by Daniel Mangin · Daniel Mangin
A flat, roughly three-mile loop that starts and ends at the Oxbow Public Market, crossing to the Riverfront Promenade and the Main Street boat dock, then on to the Opera House murals, the 9/11 memorial garden and the Vine Trail, timed hour by hour by a long-time Napa guidebook writer.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
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Plan your trip to Napa
Here is everything you need to see Napa for real.
- Hotels in NapaCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Napa.
- eSIM for United StatesStay online from the moment you land.
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