Driving into the Napa Valley — more specifically the city of Napa — for my first day at the Register, I was blown away by the scenic beauty of the rolling hills and vineyards all around me. Commuting from Sacramento for over a year and growing up in nearby Vallejo, this was not the landscape I was accustomed to. But it was the landscape I expected. After all, Napa Valley is world renowned for its wine. But as time rolled on and I later moved to the city of Napa, I wondered what other scenery the region had to offer beyond the vineyards.
This issue explores the parks and other open spaces the public can embrace when visiting the Napa Valley. In it, our writers and photographer Nick Otto showcase various spaces such as Napa’s downtown Fuller Park, where Riley Palmer gathered information on how to build the perfect picnic. Katie DeBenedetti, after talking to leaders of local hiking groups, put together a Napa Valley hiking guide. The guide features several trails, including those under the Napa County Regional Park & Open Space District umbrella. Columnist Sean McCawley provides a list of tips for the health-conscious hiker out there.
Learn about Mead Ranch on Atlas Peak, a new area donated to the Land Trust of Napa County. Barry Eberling explains the history behind the ranch. He also talks with students who participated in the Watershed Explorers program in American Canyon, learning about the environment around them.
Our hope is that this magazine will inspire readers to explore the environment outside Napa Valley. Please enjoy our Summer/Fall 2024 issue.
