Cruising down Lincoln Avenue, it’s easy to mistake RiverPointe Napa Valley for just another neighborhood. The grounds are mostly obscured by towering sycamore trees, which buffer the rumble of traffic and give you the sense that you’ve left everything behind.
This feeling only grows as you wind through the resort. The vermillion, mustard, and azure buildings pop against a leafy background, and each cottage offers the comforts of home in a petite package that’s perfect for romantic getaways or friends traveling together.
In reality, the resort is located only a few minutes from some of Napa’s most popular attractions, including its famous vineyards. It’s not uncommon to see owners and guests enjoying bottles on their shared decks in the evening.
Rolling Back the Years
Some guests are surprised to learn that the resort’s 113 cottages are actually on wheels. In fact, the resort owns several trucks and stores all but 34 units at the nearby fairgrounds each winter, returning them on April 1 for the spring and summer season.
The story behind Napa’s semipermanent resort goes back to the 1970s, when the city adopted a slow-growth policy to prevent its rural resources from being gobbled up by developers. This was around the same time as the “Judgment of Paris,” a wine competition that put Napa on the map.
It was practically impossible to convince the city to issue new hotel permits. However, one creative entrepreneur found a loophole that allowed him to turn a former RV park into a resort—provided that the units consisted of manufactured homes with wheels. In addition, only 34 units could remain on property year round.
Napa Uncorked
RiverPointe Napa Valley is located just over the river from the Silverado Trail. It’s an easy drive to hundreds of wineries, downtown Napa, and the Oxbow District. Guests love that they can access the best of California Wine Country within minutes.
But you don’t even need to leave the resort to get a taste of Napa. Several wineries host tastings at the resort’s clubhouse. These tasting give guests the opportunity to discover lesser-known wineries and hear directly from the vintners about what goes into their craft.
Resort concierge Marilynn Caldwell also hosts weekly gatherings. One of the most popular is aptly named “Dinner with Marilynn” and typically takes place on Thursday evenings. Guests are invited to a carefully selected restaurant, which offers a special prix fixe menu just for the event. The only thing better than the food is the conversation—many attendees have become lifelong friends!
The river walk is another favorite activity. The foot path runs right by the resort and offers unparalleled views of the river, which is home to beavers, otters, egrets, and more than sixteen native fish species. Many guests walk, jog, and bike the scenic trail in the early morning before the fog lifts for a tranquil beginning to the day.
Investing in the Community
RiverPointe Napa Valley has a strong commitment to social responsibility. The resort sponsors multiple youth sports teams in Napa and Solano Counties. It also donates meeting space to the Napa Valley Unity League and supports Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County.
Sound like your kind of place? We invite to you experience this favorite destination for yourself. Napa is lovely year round, but you’ll find fewer crowds at the wineries from November through May.
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