Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Napa Valley

Napa Valley is known the world over for its wine, but what is the area really like? If you've got questions about the NV, we've got answers. Here are some Napa Valley facts to ease your curiosity.


Does the Napa Valley get as many tourists as Disneyland? 
While it might seem like a billion people are here during peak season, it is a local urban legend that the Napa Valley has as many visitors as the Happiest Place on Earth. Micky and his friends see about fifteen million people every single year while the Napa Valley gets less than a third of that; about 4.5 million. The busiest time of year is the summer and early fall when people come to experience what is known as "crush" - the time when the air throughout the valley is thick with the smell of crushed wine grapes.

How many people live in the Napa Valley?
An estimated 139,000 people live in Napa Valley, with 57% living in the city of Napa. Nearly 20% of the Valley's population live in the "unincorporated" areas.

How many wineries are in the Napa Valley? 
There are approximately 400 wineries in the Napa Valley. Not all of them have tasting rooms and some of them don't even have their own vineyards in the Napa Valley.  NapaNow.com has some great wine and grape growing statistics about the Napa Valley.


How big is the Napa Valley?The Napa Valley is actually just one of several valleys that make up Napa County, but it is the biggest. Napa Valley is about 30 miles ling and ranges between one and five miles wide.  There are five towns in the valley; from south to north is American Canyon (which calls itself the "gateway to the Napa Valley"), then the town of Napa proper, then Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga at the Northern most end. Rutherford and Oakville both have post offices and their own zip codes but are unincorporated and so aren't actual towns.

What Native American tribe used to live in the Napa Valley?
Long before the Napa Valley was planted with acres and acres of wine grapes, the Wappo people called the valley their home and their arrowheads made of obsidian can still be found today. In 1910 there were said to only be 50 Wappo left alive but in the 2000 census, the numbers had risen to 250.

What wild animals live in the Napa Valley? 
Because the Napa River runs the length of the Napa Valley, many wild animals still inhabit the area. Mountain lions occasionally roam down from the hillsides to hunt for the many black tail dear that call the valley home as well as the occasional 4-H sheep. Wild turkey and jack rabbits are plentiful as are the bobcats and coyote that hunt them. Wild boar


What is the average household income in the Napa Valley?
With the average Napa Valley house costing well over $400,000 and the average price of gas more than $4.00 a gallon, it's no surprise that the average household income in the Napa Valley is about $66,000 a year. That's $10,000 more than the average in California and and more than $13,000 above the national average! Napa Valley does seem to live up to it's reputation for being a playground for the rich and famous.

Is there anything to do besides wine tasting in the Napa Valley?
Heck, yes! For the outdoorsy types, there are some wonderful outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. If you enjoy gatherings, there is usually some sort of music or art festival going on such as C.H.E.E.R.S. There are plenty of children's activities, including rock climbing and pottery. The Napa Valley may be famous for its wines, but there is a lot more to life in the Valley than fermented grape juice!

If you have more questions about the Napa Valley, ask away and I'll be sure to answer them :)