Looking for best values, and places the locals would choose

I live in the Napa valley and I don’t know exactly which winerys have Syrah, but the big winerys like Mondavi, Krug,Beringer, Beaulieu, and Martini would be your best bet to get a variety of different wines. Just do not go to Opus one as they have only cab and besides are over priced. Most people that come here do want to taste a variety of wines. Have fun

Napa County has an incredible amount of attractions for both visitors and locals alike. This includes state parks, natural wonders, museums, theaters, shops, ranches, wineries, golf courses, rivers, and lakes. There are also festivals throughout the year and many ongoing organized activities that are appealing to all ages. Napa County is also only a few hours away from the hundreds of attractions located in the surrounding areas of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Northern California Coast. The shear variety of attractions in and around Napa County make it a great place to spend time for anyone who loves the combination of the arts, food, and the beautiful Northern California outdoors.
Napa County is most famous for its wineries, but if you are pressed for time or unfamiliar with the area, a tour is the best way to go. There are many limousine and other private tours, but perhaps the most interesting is the Napa Valley Wine Train. This circa 1915 -1947 fully restored collection of vintage Pullman train cars takes a relaxing and scenic journey through heart of Napa Valley’s picturesque vineyards right past the historic wineries. Stops are included and dinner and special events are also available. There are many other ways to see the Napa Valley as well. There are hot air balloon rides, hiking trails, and bicycling tours that will give any visitor a unique perspective on one of the most beautiful regions of Northern California.
There are museums situated throughout the county that feature history, agriculture, and art, but perhaps the most prestigious museum is the di Rosa Preserve. Situated on an estate that is surrounded by vineyards, olive trees, and a thirty five acre lake, this 130 year old stone winery houses over 2,000 works collected from the bay area over the past forty years. This makes the di Rosa Preserve home to the largest collection of regional art in the country. Another interesting museum of note is the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Founded by his friends and family, this museum is a tribute to the man who created the loveable Peanuts characters, including Charlie Brown and Snoopy.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Napa County offers a multitude of natural attractions including state parks, ranches, mountains, and other natural wonders. The Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is the most famous and named so because Robert Louis Stevenson spent some time here after he married. This park is the gateway to Mt. St. Helena, the county’s only mountain. There is a monument to author Stevenson, who used the mountain as a backdrop for several of his books, and there is also a rustic hiking trail that goes to the top of the mountain. Here, you can see the geyser country of Calistoga, where the California version of “Old Faithful” is located. “Old Faithful” is natural geyser that erupts about every thirty minutes for a spectacular show of water that extends up over sixty feet into the air. There is also a petrified forest and the incredibly huge redwood trees to admire, along with the many other fascinating and entertaining attractions in Napa County.

I will be going in 1 month and don’t know where to start planning. Any ideas on where to stay and places to eat would be helpful too!

I have been trying for several years, without success

Depends on many things. Everyone approaches this process differently, so use the tips that work best for you. More information, tips and help athttp://moreaboutsalary.blogspot.com/

Just wanted to know if the last few years are good for wine?

The cities and towns of Napa County are small, friendly and diverse. If you have the good fortune to live here, you might start your morning off with a “hello” to a neighbor riding a horse, stop in at the local produce stand to pick up something for dinner, or even have an iced coffee and a slice of freshly made raisin bread at the locally owned bakery on Main Street.
You might be retired, work in light industry or tourism, or be raising a family. On any given day, you might enjoy the multitude of festivals, performing arts, and outdoor activities or other entertainment that the towns of Napa County offer. Conversely, you might want to take advantage of being close to major U.S. cities like San Francisco and Sacramento, which are just a short drive away. So you might just say that when you live in the cities and towns of Napa County, you have the best combination of nature and civilized living that you can possibly imagine here on earth.
Napa County has quite a few charming cities, with the city of Napa itself being the largest. At a population of about 75,000, the city of Napa is the business and economic center of the valley, and as such, is also the county seat. The city of Napa is also the oldest city in the county. It was founded in 1847 and has quite a history, including playing a major part in the great California Silver Rush of 1858. Today, it is a flourishing city with many local businesses, shops, restaurants, several art galleries, and is home to the Napa Valley Opera House and Lincoln Theater. The City of Napa is a key participant in the continuing development of the wineries, agriculture, and tourism that continue to make the region flourish.
Further north from the City of Napa is the town of Calistoga, whose name comes from combining the names of California and Saratoga. While its economy was originally based on silver mining, Calistoga is now more famous for the hot springs and volcanic ash that supply the local spas with highly sought after therapeutic treatments. Calistoga is also the gateway for several natural wonders like the “Old Faithful” geyser of California, the petrified forest, and the Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. Calistoga retains much of its charm of yesteryear thanks to being an official desination of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Other cities of Napa County include American Canyon, St. Helena, Yountville, Milliken Creek, and Putah Creek. These are all smaller towns that center around a walkable and usually historic downtown area featuring a “Main Street” atmosphere with many local eateries, shops, and businesses. There are many famous residents that own property in the valley and while there is quite a bit of tourism in the area, most towns are zoned to protect the privacy of local residents. So, if you like the sophistication of a metropolitan area combined with a small town atmosphere, Napa County is the perfect place to be.

With 5 million tourists visiting every year, the only bigger travel destination in California than Napa County is Disneyland. These amazing numbers of people come here mainly to tour the vineyards, but there are many other reasons to spend time in this area. There are an incredible amount of attractions, festivals, restaurants, museums, entertainment, and outdoor activities to enjoy that make Napa County a top U.S. vacation spot. As well, Napa County has many kinds of accommodations including world class resorts, rejuvenating spas, ranches, bed and breakfasts, and time shares for those who want to make Napa County a more frequent place to stay.
Probably the most therapeutic place to visit in Napa County is the City of Calistoga, where you can find various spas that feature hot spring pools and volcanic ash mud baths. Calistoga Spa Hot springs, which is located just off of Main Street, is open to the public and provides four naturally heated mineral pools, along with volcanic ash mud baths, mineral and steam baths, blanket wraps, and massage. Visitors have been coming to Calistoga for spa treatments since the early nineteen hundreds, and many swear that the therapeutic combination of volcanic ash, Canadian peat, and mineral spring submersion is an incredible healing experience.
On a grander scale, Napa county also offers several world class resorts. Settled on a private estate, Meadowood is the center of social and viticultural life for both frequent visitors and residents alike. The luxury of this 250 acre resort is unparalleled in the valley and features championship croquet lawns, seven tennis courts, a nine-hole walking golf course, hiking trails, swimming, a full-service health spa, a wine educator, and many more amenities along with wonderful wine county cuisine. The Silverado Resort, set among the rolling hills of Napa County, offers everything that you would expect from a first class resort including championship golf, spa, fine dining, and a conference center. While both resorts are private and secluded, they are only minutes away from all major attractions and many of the wineries.
Since Napa is also famous for its agriculture, those who want to enjoy it closer up will love the Mountain Home Ranch Resort. This is a bed and breakfast group retreat that offers a different kind of adventure. There aren’t any phones or televisions here at the ranch. What you will find is 300 acres of hiking trails, two swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, croquet, lake fishing, barbeque pit, and the peace and quiet of the Napa Valley.
For visitors who prefer a more intimate setting when they vacation, Napa County has many high-end bed and breakfasts. The Bel Abri, a fifteen room French Country Inn located in the City of Napa, is designed to make you feel like you are staying in a real chateau. French tapestries, hand crafted furniture, slate floors, and stately wrought iron accents create an ambience that is both warm and luxurious.
As you can imagine, Napa County has many accommodations for every type of traveler that are as diverse as the valley itself. Just remember to book ahead when you are traveling to the Napa Valley, because space is definitely at a premium.

we’re visiting in Dec & want the shortest route to wineries &
my husband does’nt like high mountain roads. is it feasable?