Pueblo - Napa, CA

In 1847, Nathan Coombs founded the city of Napa, which soon experienced a population boom with miners flocking in from all over for gold. Banking and commercial interests developed in Napa during the early 20th century, when a deep interest in agriculture and wine grew north.

Napa showcases a bounty of museums, galleries and cultural institutions, from quirky to status quo. The Napa Firefighters Museum on Main Street houses an impressive collection of fire-related treasures from the 19th and 20th centuries, including trucks, hydrants, newspaper clippings and hand pumps. In an idyllic landscape of vineyards and ponds, the Hess Collection features work from emerging and lesser-known artists.

The Annual Napa Valley Art Festival showcases a juried exhibit of work for sale by some of the West Coast’s finest. Food, wine, live music and arts demonstrations accompany this beloved event in nearby Yountville.

Restaurants and nightlife abound in this destination city famous for a devotion to fresh, local ingredients, California cuisine and innovative cooking rooted in global traditions. Pueblo residents head east of Highway 29 for cheap eats and inexpensive groceries, and south for downtown sophistication on a Saturday night.

Grace’s Table focuses on global comfort foods, such as Argentinian empanadas or steak frites, with an emphasis on the cuisines of France, Italy, and North and South America. Locals rave over the brunch in this bright, cheery space, perfect for a slow-paced Saturday or Sunday morning. Standouts include the house buttermilk pancakes with griddled banana and candied pecans, and the skillet cornbread with lavender honey butter. For something light, try the pear, persimmon and arugula salad with goat cheese.

Napa residents (and Californians in general) love great Mexican food. The Union area’s La Taquiza specializes in fish tacos, grilled or fried, while also serving a variety of fresh Mexican staples, such as tacos, burritos and ceviche. Regulars love the shrimp and grilled octopus tacos with cabbage, pico de gallo, crema and salsa.

Spanish-inspired, tapas bar ZuZu seduces visitors and locals alike with its warm, lively atmosphere, creative small plates and wood-fired paella. Savor the unforgettable braised pork cheeks served with a black radish salad or the gambas al aljillo—shrimp with garlic, piquin chili and smoky pimento. Water it all down with ZuZu’s house sangria or one of the fine selections of Spanish and Californian wines.

Locals looking to chill in an unpretentious, t-shirt and jeans kind of place go to Stone’s Sports Bar and Lounge on Imola Avenue, with its dark, proudly dive bar ambiance, pool tables and big screen TVs. Get away from swirling all that local wine, and stop in for a cold beer at this friendly bar.

For something a bit more highbrow and historic, the Napa Valley Opera House features movies and live music in an intimate, Italianate space. Napa residents enjoy Hitchcock films, Broadway medleys and Puccini on different nights in this small, 500-foot space.

The iconic Uptown Theatre in the heart of downtown Napa showcases some of the best in music, from Willie Nelson to Snoop Dogg, all under one stunning art deco roof. Get there a little early, grab a beer or glass of wine in the Courtyard Café and Bar, and take it with you to sip while enjoying the show.

Pueblo residents take public transportation by bus and bike or walk to get around, but when it comes to going to work or running errands, they most often drive; the city’s infrastructure revolves around car ownership. Residents who don’t want to drive can take advantage of local Uber and Yellow Cab Napa services.

Public parking can be found easily on the quiet streets of Pueblo. Drivers enjoy Pueblo’s proximity to Highway 29.

Pueblo locals enjoy their days off in one of Napa’s many beautiful and well-maintained parks. Just outside of Pueblo, Westwood Hills Park has spacious trails plus stunning views. Bring your water bottle for a steep, yet rewarding hike.

The perfect playground for your pooch, Canine Commons Dog Park features two fenced, off-leash areas for shy/small and large dogs with plenty of pick-up bags to keep things clean and tidy.

Launch canoes on the Napa River at Trancas Crossing Park, a hidden gem with clean, paved trails.

Outdoor festivals abound in Napa with its mild, Mediterranean climate, perfect for listening to live music and sipping a glass of wine. The Robert Mondavi Summer Music Festival features top musical acts, such as Colbie Caillat and Brian McKnight, with proceeds going to several Napa Valley-based organizations, such as the Napa Valley Symphony and the Napa Valley Opera House.

With Pueblo’s median one-bedroom rental rate of $1,350, the cost of living in Napa in general is 4.8 percent greater than the California average and 39.8 percent greater than the national average. A bus ride downtown costs $2. A typical price for beer at a local pub runs around $5 to $6. Locals pay 9.3 percent above the national average cost for gas.

Pueblo residents head downtown for shopping at specialty boutiques offering everything from Voluspa candles to used books.

Locals looking for a little retail therapy without breaking the bank head to Miyamo on First Street, which features cute, contemporary and affordable clothing, shoes and accessories for women. Conquer your shopping demons by walking out with an adorable faux fur vest and a perfect-for-wine-tasting dress at guilt-free prices.

A good book is hard to find, but not at Napa Bookmine, an independent new and used bookstore on Pearl Street that features everything from classic fiction to self-help to sci-fi. Locals adore the bevy of community-boosting events, such as story time for children, game night with boards and cards, and poetry readings.

In addition to shopping at large, chain supermarkets, Pueblo locals hit up small, family-owned grocery stores for convenience and for that hometown feel. Grab a deli sandwich at Ranch Market on Solano Avenue, or a torta from La Morenita Market, and take it outside to enjoy in one of Napa’s beautiful parks.

The Napa Farmers Market runs from May through October on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, providing fresh, local produce in a lively setting with food demonstrations, music and story time for kids.