Things To Do in Napa

Sports and recreational opportunities

The City of Napa offers lots of sports and recreational opportunties through the Parks and Recreation Services Department. It's easy to get involved in youth and adult activities. The catalog of opportunities can be viewed online and you can sign up online, too. The catalog is also available in a hard copy version, which is mailed to all residents three times a year.

In addition to the many sports and recreational opportunities the City provides, there are numerous sports and recreation offerings from Napa Valley College and the Napa Valley Adult School .

Leagues and Clubs for youth and adult sports are also plentiful in Napa. This list offers links to some of the opportunities available. 

Parks, trails and open space

With some 50 parks of all types and sizes, the City of Napa presents plentiful choices for those looking for outdoor enjoyment.  City parks run the gamut from  the simple turf spaces found in most every neighborhood, to the stately and historic Fuller Park, the wide-open and undeveloped space of Alston Park, and the multiple uses possible in Kennedy Park along the Napa River.

See the Parks and Recreation Facilities Map for locations and more park information. 

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Senior services and opportunities

The City of Napa's senior population is active and growing. In addition to enjoying the nearly-perfect climate, beautiful views and relaxed Napa lifestyle, seniors have the opportunity to take part in many volunteer organizations and recreational activities.

The City's Senior Activity Center at 1500 Jefferson is home to an ongoing agenda of classes, activities and social opportunities. 

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Transit, transportation and getting around

Like most places in California, most Napans get around by using cars. But alternatives to the personal motor vehicle are available.

For travel within the City of Napa, transit services are coordinated by the Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency, and the primary transit offering is The Vine, the fixed route bus service.

Bicyclists will find that bike lanes are increasing as space is created and defined on major routes around town. The Commuter Bike Path provides an off-street route that runs parallel to the tracks of the Napa Valley Railroad and provides a quick and safe north-south connection. In the future, the Napa River Trail created by the Napa River Flood Project will offer six miles of continuous bicycle and pedestrian path from Kennedy Park to Trancas Street. Napa Valley Car Free provides ways you can get to and around Napa Valley without a car. 

Arts and Culture

The City of Napa enjoys a blossoming arts and culture environment, with sensational venues for the performing arts and contemporary galleries, all in a place where the three-hour dinner is considered an art form in itself. See the comprehensive Arts Council Calendar below for events. 

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Library Services

Citizens of Napa are served by the Napa City-County Library, located at 580 Coombs Street on the south side of the Downtown area. The Library features a full modern collection, reference desk, and a popular community meeting room. The Library is open from 10am to 9pm Monday through Thursday, 10am to 5:30pm on Friday, 10am to 5pm on Saturday, and 2pm to 9pm on Sunday. The main phone number is 707-253-4241. All the details on the Library can be found by following this link. 

Downtown Events Calendar

Both locals and vistors alike find plenty to do in Downtown Napa. With unique shops, dozens of top-quality restaurants and about 20 tasting rooms and wine bars, there's something to look forward to on every block.

Special events take place Downtown all throughout the year. Here are the Napa Downtown Association 's big events for 2010.

Admission for all these events is free

Chefs’ Market

May 20 through August 5 - Thursday Evenings, 5 to 9 PM
Now in its sixteenth year, Napa’s most popular outdoor event combines food, wine and entertainment to make this one a signature Napa event.  Chef’s demonstrations from some of the best chefs in the Valley – and you are invited to enjoy and taste.  Three musical stages & kid’s entertainment.

Main Street Reunion Car Show

August 21 – Saturday, 10 AM to 3 PM
Over 400 pre-1976 cars on display, plus entertainment.

Blues, Brews & BBQ

August 28 – Saturday, Noon to 6
Featuring Blues from some of the Bay Area’s best blues musicians, twenty hard to find micro-brewed beers and BBQ extraordinaire.  It doesn’t get much better!

Napa Wine and Crafts Faire

September 11 – Saturday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM
For more than 30 years this event is a big draw and now has added music in a big way.  200 artists display unique, original handcrafted art.  Napa Valley wines make strolling down the street a summer delight.

Wine Country Cajun

October 2 – Saturday, Noon to 6 PM
It’s a Zydeco fest, with musical entertainment, marching bands, and crawfish & gumbo everywhere.  Chefs show off their Cajun side, and everybody wins.

Hometown Halloween

October 30 – Saturday, 1 PM  to 3 PM
Join the Flinstones, the cast from the Wizard of OZ and more.  Thousands of costumed goblins (of all ages) will march and trick or treat.  Pet costume contest at 1 PM, parade at 2.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 24 – Wednesday, 6 PM
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, cookies and entertainment as Napa’s Mayor lights the Christmas tree in Veterans Park.

Christmas Parade

November 27 – Saturday, 5 PM
Since becoming an evening parade, Napans have figured out how to add lights to any entry – cars, horses, even children.  The floats get a little better every year!  Santa wraps this one up and leads everyone to the Oxbow Public Market, for free cookies & hot chocolate.

For more info visit www.napadowntown.com or call 707-257-0322

Here are some other events calendars for specific locations:

Downtown Events Calendar (Veteran's Park Music and Movie Series and Other Special Events)

Downtown Joe's
Jarvis Conservatory
Headfeathers Music in the Courtyard
Napa Valley Arts Council comprehensive arts calendar
Napa Valley Opera House
Oxbow Public Market
Silo's Club
Uva Trattoria

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