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Napa, California is a favorite senior vacation destination for seniors interested in wineries, wine tasting tours and beautiful scenery.

Napa CA History

Padre Jose Altimura led the first recorded exploration into Napa Valley in 1823. At that time, hundreds of native Indians lived in the area. Spain, then Mexico controlled the area until the Bear Flag Revolution. American farmers started arriving to settle the valley in the 1830’s.

The City of Napa was laid out in 1848 by Nathan Coombs on property he received from Nicolas Higuerra, holder of the original Spanish Grant. The first business was opened in Napa in 1849. California was granted statehood in 1850 and Napa was one of the original counties of California. By 1870, most of the Indians who inhabited the valley had died from smallpox and other diseases brought by the white man. The few that survived were taken into Alexander Valley where a few descendants now live on government reservations.

The gold rush of the late 1850’s helped build Napa City. After the first severe winter in the gold fields, miners sought refuge from snow, cold, floods and disease in the young city. A tent city was erected along Main Street. There was plenty of work in the valley for disillusioned miners. There were many cattle ranches and the lumber industry boomed.

Napa California – Site of Thriving Wine & Agricultural Industry

Today, Napa California has a thriving wine and agricultural industry that attracts visitors from all over the world. It is especially popular with seniors who appreciate the beauty of the area.