Lauren Marsey Nicholsen

Yountville is the most adorable little community, north of napa and south of St. Helena. With 4 stop signs and no stop lights, this town was built to enjoy walking. If the homes aren't cute enough for you, you can walk a few feet to the top restaurants in the WORLD; French Landry, Bouchon, Bottega, Redd and so much more.

There aren't any stores, there is a place called The Ranch Market where you can find a few items but really its just there to hold over the tourists. This is a huge tourist town, at any given time during the summer, the tourist out number the residence 5 to 1. Around Nov things start to slow down and the town becomes very quiet, with festival of lights (they whole town comes together and they turn on the Christmas tree and drink cider.) They have so many fun holiday celebrations like yountville days, bocce parties, Bastille Day, and more. There is a large veterans home above the yountville golf course where you can swim in the public pool or play baseball at the amazing baseball fields (amazing hotdogs and beer.)

Overall I really love Yountville, there are places to eat in this area that arent outrageously expensive, there are parks where you can play with your kids and there are always great neighbors nextdoor.

Browns Valley is a great neighborhood. Most of my clients put this on their neighborhood wishlist.

When you are in browns valley you are a far from downtown and the hustle and bustle of the community. This area is based on the foothills of the western side of the valley (we share this mountain with sonoma, but you wouldn't be able to walk to sonoma:) The mountains are so green and beautiful in the fall and spring, during the summer it is great for hiking!
There are some of the best pre-schools and elementary schools in this area, you can walk your kids to schools or coffee!

There are great parks here, a fun farm for kids and the annual pumpkin patch!! I love this area :)

This area is not what I would consider "Vintage" - that term must be associated with one of the three high schools in that neighborhood.

This is north east napa, located smack dab in the middle of the valley. While the mountains can be scene throughout the valley, this location is more about proximity to the hospital, high schools, safeways and other everyday things. The homes were built in similar fashion, except for the new subdivisions off Salvador, big ranch road and north jefferson.

Jefferson st. is the main drag through the middle of Napa, Trancas St. runs perpendicular to it and is the primary road between Silverado trail and Linda vista. I personally think that Napa Valley has so many amazing neighborhoods tucked away in it, I wouldn't want to live so close to the hustle and bustle of our community.

I attended Vintage High School, and it is right on the end of this neighborhood, the views heading west are beautiful, rolling hills of vineyards. Heading north you will run into Oak Knoll district, which is beautiful!

I must preface this by letting you know, I grew up in Alta Heights, from age 1-18 (and parents still live here).

Alta Heights is an amazing place to live. While the homes are cottage-ish they are so cute, white picket fences, perfect green lawns, flower lined walk ways and kids playing on bikes. The neighborhood was built in the beginning of the eastern hillside that makes Napa Valley so great for growing grapes. Since the hillside is steep, they built homes into them, and each home has a spectacular view. For some of the homes you can see San Francisco. Each home has its own little unique character, but with love and home depot you can have the most incredible little place. Most homes are between 1000-2000 sqft.

The best park of the area, the walking distance to downtown napa is about 15 minutes. There are private trails all over this mountain where you can take the dogs! There is an elementary school (alta heights elementary) there as well as per-schools (yellow brick road). I personally attended both :)

Overall - I cant wait to move my family back to Alta Heights. While it is a quiet little area, I wouldnt consider it boring... life is what you make of it and we are never boring :)
It is a great area, located lose to everything and have great views! Views! VIEWS!!!

Linda Vista is an area is Napa that is the last real exit off the highway before heading "upvalley." The homes were built between the 60's and 70's and have, for the most part, all been updated. The lots are reasonable, around .016 acres some with pools but most were built around "private/public pools."
There is an amazing dog park called "alston park" which is a dog park, with views of all of Napa. Its my favorite place to go in Oct when all the trees are turning yellow and red.. its magical.

Down readwood road, which is the main intersection, there are a few huge retirement homes and assisted living centers. Also, there are 3 private schools and 2 public schools in this area. This can sometimes add to traffic during the mornings and nights - but a few times in the neighborhood, you can navigate your own route home, traffic free.

There is a huge shopping center down the street (across the highway) that has target, whole foods, trader joe's, ace hardware, and a bunch of shops. There is a local grocery (store where i shop) called Vallergas. Its great!

Overall, I think Linda Vista is a great neighborhood, You are able to get to the highway, schools, stores and parks within walking distance!

Napa County is a LARGE area, within a few miles you can either be in a city or the middle of a vineyard.
Starting with the city of Napa, there is so much to do here. You have everything from great restaurants, a yacht club, golf courses, great schools, farms, the river, bike trails, movies in the park and access to targets, grocery stores and pharmacies. The homes are very similar depending on the neighborhood. Spending a little time in an area you are thinking of moving into is a great idea, especially after 5:00pm, when most people are home!

As you move outside of the city, you get into the country. No matter which direction you go, you will hit a dirt road somewhere. Majority of the county is either vineyard or farm land. Coombsville or "the avenues" (east) is an area of the valley where you can find horse ranches, 5 plus acres of non-vineyard land. Carneros is (south) predominate vineyard land, as well as the belt between Sonoma and Napa. If you are someone who travels to the city regular, this is a great place to live, it cuts a ton of time off your commute! North Napa (north) is a mixed bag of farm and vineyard land, this is a great place to find a small house surrounded by larger parcels of vineyard land and some great views. North Napa is a few miles from downtown Yountville. Browns Valley (west) is a wonderful neighborhood where you can find parks, schools, larger lots and newer homes. There is terrific walking, a dog park and views, depending on where you are located.

Overall, I think Napa is a great place to settle down, enjoy a glass of wine, great restaurants, farmers market, chef market (Thursday night, downtown), movies in the park, Friday night lights music, Film Festival, Bottle Rock and SO much more! The community takes care of each other, there is plenty of help and friendship where ever you turn.