It's no wonder that Napa County has some of the most sought after real estate in the country. Not only is this region of the United States staggeringly beautiful and incredibly temperate, it is also well-protected. This is because Napa County residents and landowners in this region remain overwhelmingly committed to the natural preservation and management of the land entrusted to them. The beautiful communities of the Napa Valley will be preserved for years to come because of the zoning laws put in place in 1968 and again in 1990. These laws are extremely beneficial for home buyers who can be confident that not only will their real estate retain its value, but that the family-friendly integrity of these small towns will never be compromised by over-development. This is a great real estate strategy for a county lovingly know as a place that "you will always return."

It may be famous for its wineries and tourism, but Napa County has an amazing array of available real estate. This includes every kind of property you can imagine, from cozy bungalows to magnificent estates that are connected to commercial farms, ranches, and wineries. Other commercial property is available for development as well, but is limited to light industry. Traditionally sized lots for private homes are located within the city limits of the Various Napa Valley towns, but once you get out into the country most homes sit on lots of multiple acreage. These lots are zoned to keep local real estate focused on farming and ranching as opposed to housing developments.

Individual home prices start at approximately $400,000 for a two bedroom bungalow on a standard lot and go up from there. Architecturally, houses range from 40's style to newly custom-built homes, with historical properties available from time to time. Many homes are built or restored to be "green", which means that the materials used to build are more environmentally friendly and also save on heating and cooling costs. For newer homes, this includes steel framing which saves on lumber, lasts longer, and can't grow mold.

The towns are small, with the City of Napa being the largest at 75,000. The median income for a household is over $60,000 and the average household size is 2.62. Napa County has limited public transportation. However, most towns are centered around a walkable and historic downtown area featuring a "Main Street" atmosphere with many local restaurants, shops, and businesses. The public schools in the area are considered to be above average and extracurricular activities are vast. The local economy is fueled by tourism, wine, agriculture production, and light industry. The population is evenly distributed among families, single professionals, seasonal residents, and retirees.

Even with its tourism, Napa County residents describe their home as a remote, private and peaceful place that is close to everything. Its relaxing, small town atmosphere and relative proximity to larger cities like San Francisco and Sacramento give real estate owners the best of both worlds. Combined with strict zoning ordinances and temperate weather, Napa County is truly an area that earns the description "blissful".