Napa is the seat of Napa County and is also the principal city of the County. As of a 2000 census, the city has a total population of 72,585 and has a population density of 4,077 per square mile. Nathan Coombs founded the city in 1847 and it was later incorporated as a US city in 1872 and again 1874. The California silver rush in the 1850s was instrumental in expanding Napa tow what it is today. Napa is home to a thriving community of Native Americans. Most of them reside in and around Alexander Valley and also on the reservations granted to them by the US government.

Weather in Napa is dry in summer and is cool and wet in the winter. Snowfall, however, is rare and the last recorded occurrence was on March 22, 1987. The city is served by the Oakland International Airport and is serviced by bus lines as well. Napa's sister cities include Iwanuma (Japan), Telavi (Georgia), and Launceston (Australia).

A number of famous people have their origins or are currently residing in Napa, these include Phil Bonifield of NASCAR, photographer Peter Menzel, actor Robert Redford, and Robin Williams to name a few. It has also been the setting of several movies including the film 'The Silverado Squatters'.