About Downtown Napa, California

History of Napa. Founded in 1847, as a popular starting point for enthusiastic 49ers bound for the gold rush, historic Napa, California was also a bustling center of trade, with major lumber, cattle farming and leather tanning industries forming a strong base for the city’s future development. Settlers to the area brought wine grape cuttings along with them, and started the vineyards that have grown to become Napa’s major industry and tourist attraction today. Downtown Napa is a quaint city that boasts several pre-1906 homes and buildings, adding to the city’s character and interest. Visitors will enjoy seeing several architectural styles, from Victorian Gothic mansions to Spanish Colonial and Art Deco buildings, lining the streets of the historic downtown area. [Top]

Historic Downtown Napa. Napa is home to several historic landmarks and museums, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich history of this city that is now famous for its fine wines. Visit Napa’s historic downtown area and enjoy a trip back in history to see how the city’s past shaped the Napa we know and love today.

• Tulocay Cemetery. Established in 1859, this interesting landmark is home to around 65,000 gravesites, with many famous and infamous names, including well-known pioneer leaders, judges, teachers, church officials, doctors and early businessmen can be found amongst the older headstones. www.tulocaycemetery.org
• Pfeiffer Building. As the oldest stone building in Napa, the Pfeiffer Building has a rich history, serving as a brewery, a saloon, a brothel, a Chinese laundry, and a deli. Today, this unique stone structure is home to the Vintner's Collective, a a multi-winery tasting room offering wine samples and tasting from twenty small Napa winemakers. www.vintnerscollective.com
• Historic Napa Mill. This historic building has been transformed into a popular shopping and entertainment complex. Offering a vintage backdrop to the many shops, restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues, and a view of the Napa River, this area’s interesting shops and historic atmosphere make it a true Napa favorite. www.napariverinn.com/napamill.php
• Napa Valley Opera House. Built in 1879, the Napa Valley Opera House was the area’s cultural center until it was closed in 1914 due to lack of interest. The theatre was slated for demolition in the 1970s, but locals worked to save it and an ongoing renovation project lasting15 years has brought the Napa favorite back to life. Today, the Napa Valley Opera House offers varied programming throughout the year, from live music concerts to theatre productions. www.napavalleyoperahouse.org
• Historic Napa Walking Tours. For a true taste of Napa history, Napa County Landmarks offers walking tours of historic neighborhoods in historic downtown Napa. Tours run on Saturdays starting at 9:45am and last 90 minutes. Tour destinations rotate throughout the year. Visit www.napacountylandmarks.org/index.html for tour information and fees.
• Napa Firefighters Museum. This interesting museum showcases Napa’s collection of antique firefighting artifacts, includes an 1859 hand pumper, a horse-drawn Nott Steamer engine, fire hoses, period uniforms, historical photos, and much more. Open Wed-Sat, 11am-4pm. Admission is free. www.napafirefightersmuseum.org [Top]