What is Napa like?

[CMKM-Miller]

Elle, I'm curious what your surprised about, the gang problem or the lack of things for teens to do. I think tourists could easily see the problem happen right infront of them. Take the Friday night market - well now it's on Thursday nights. All that was was kids hanging around the area of Mervyns being bored out of their minds looking to start things. I remember numerous instances involving youth ocurring around the downtown area.

As for the Wine Train, Copia, or any of the other restaurants, well, I'll just say the companies don't do very good background checks on employees, if at all. Unless things have changed in the last year since I've been in Napa. It's naive to think that nothing can happen to tourists.

[ElleBebe]

Originally Posted by CMKM-Miller

Elle, I'm curious what your surprised about, the gang problem or the lack of things for teens to do. I think tourists could easily see the problem happen right infront of them. Take the Friday night market - well now it's on Thursday nights. All that was was kids hanging around the area of Mervyns being bored out of their minds looking to start things. I remember numerous instances involving youth ocurring around the downtown area.

As for the Wine Train, Copia, or any of the other restaurants, well, I'll just say the companies don't do very good background checks on employees, if at all. Unless things have changed in the last year since I've been in Napa. It's naive to think that nothing can happen to tourists.

I have seen kids hanging out in shopping areas (in fact at the Mervyn's you're talking about) but it didn't occur to me that it was anything besides kids just hanging out with nothing else to do. They weren't bothering anyone or being particularly noisy. And I'll stick to my original feeling: it shouldn't be a problem for the OP, unless they are "looking for trouble." Nothing's ever happened to me, nor anyone I've known who has visited Napa.

[guyatwork37]

Napa is AWESOME. Go to the Sattui winery and Sterling. I love those places.

[bjh]

Thank you all for your feedback. I was worried about this thread. Now I have some good information to work with. There's nothing like an insider's point of view. Thanks again.

[ConeyIsBabe]

I'm also planning to visit Napa and the surrounding areas during the first week of December..... with a small Rat Terrier named "Jack". Does anyone know of any dog-friendly hotel/motel within around 30 miles from the City of Napa - that is "reasonable" in cost ? So far, I'm considering the Best Western Inn & Suites at Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo...... anyone have any other feedback?

Thanks for any responses

[ElleBebe]

Ooh, thought of some more.

There are a couple companies that offer bike tours; Welcome to Napa Valley Bike Tours! has several different kinds, I think. There's one that takes you to different wineries for wine tasting (I don't think the tasting fee is included in the tour price) and for lunch at a restaurant. Napa is so gorgeous, I think it would be wonderful to do a bike tour (I went on one in Paris but haven't done one in Napa).

And if you have some free time to just wander, Yountville is a really cute little town to walk around in for an hour or two; that's where The French Laundry is (The French Laundry and they're really popular so if you want to visit I'd highly recommend calling beforehand to make a reservation), and there are some vineyards you can wander in, and a nice little main street. It's just off 29, so you can just turn off the road, walk around, then get back on the road and keep driving.

A lot of the higher end wineries are further north, in Calistoga and St. Helena but if you just drive on 29 you'll find tons of places to go tasting starting in Rutherford. If you go alone the Silverado Trail instead (it parallels 29) it's off the beaten track but also has several wineries, so you might get more attention in those wineries if you're interested in really learning about the winery and its wines. NapaValley.com has a map with winery information (Napa Valley Clickable Map), but I don't think all wineries are listed. If you're a AAA member, you can get a free winery map at AAA offices in California (and possibly everywhere, but I haven't tried outside the state); if you're not a member you can buy one for around $5 - again, it doesn't list all the wineries, just some of them.

[ElleBebe]

Originally Posted by ConeyIsBabe

I'm also planning to visit Napa and the surrounding areas during the first week of December..... with a small Rat Terrier named "Jack". Does anyone know of any dog-friendly hotel/motel within around 30 miles from the City of Napa - that is "reasonable" in cost ? So far, I'm considering the Best Western Inn & Suites at Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo...... anyone have any other feedback?

If you're really looking for the Napa experience, I'd highly recommend staying in a hotel in Napa Valley for at least a night; Vallejo is really more in the Bay Area, on the other side of hills from Napa and it has a completely different feel to it.

I Googled "dog friendly hotels near Napa" and this was the first result DogFriendly.com's City Guide: Napa Valley, California

[mamh]

There really aren't any..The one I use to stay at with my cocker was barely ok..A step below a motel 6...Now he stays home in oregon when i go down...Don't stay in Vallejo, it isn't the nicest place and Fairfield is to far...
good luck