An increasing number of Americans who have grown tired of their fast-paced lifestyles have taken an interest in the fine art of winemaking. From coast to coast, restaurants and other culinary centers are holding wine tastings and courses; and one of the favorite pasttimes of travelers has become winery-hopping. In the United States, there's no better place to explore winemaking than Napa County, California. Comprised of the cities of Calistoga and St. Helena, Napa County enjoys a steady, year-round tourism business. Conveniently located just 50 miles from San Francisco, Napa Valley capitalizes not only on its own spectacular wine business, but also on its close proximity to the Bay Area. Vacationers to San Francisco usually plan a day trip to Napa County and travel from winery to winery. But approximately 200 wineries (including Graeser, Sterling, Stonegate, V. Sattui, Beringer, Sutter Home and Fair Oaks) are based in Napa County, so for visitors, the biggest challenge is which wineries to tour and taste.

In addition, the city of Calistoga is home to crystal-clear natural springs. Free-spirited Californians and tourists visit the springs to bathe in their pristine waters or to try a mud bath. Calistoga has capitalized on the natural gold mine in its backyard through the bottling of mineral water (Calistoga brand mineral water is sold throughout the country) and from numerous day spas that specialize in mud-bath treatments. Also located within Calistoga are dense forests (including a petrified forest that visitors may tour) and "Old Faithful," the famous spouting geyser, which erupts approximately every 40 minutes. Only a few of these geysers exist on the planet. St. Helena is known primarily for its status as the former home of author Robert Louis Stevenson. The Silverado Museum pays tribute to Stevenson and is one of St. Helena's most popular attractions.

In addition to wine tastings, Napa County natives have an affinity for gourmet cooking. If the local wines aren't an inspiration, then the scenery most certainly is. Aspiring chefs may enroll in day classes at local bed and breakfasts, which attract visitors with their small-town charm. Many of the specialties students prepare are made with local wines. Other points of interest worth visiting are Calistoga Pottery, a ceramics/stoneware studio and shop; the Bale Grist Mill, a flour mill built in 1846 and now operated by the Park Service; the Calistoga Depot, listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, which includes some 1,800 acres of pine and redwood forests; Mount St. Helena, which contains excellent hiking trails; Calistoga's famous Petrified Forest, which were covered by hot lava and turned to stone following a volcanic eruption 6 million years ago; and Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, the land which inspired the namesake author to write "The Silverado Squatters, " the tale of his visit to Calistoga in 1880.

The majority of visitors to Napa County's wineries jump in their cars and drive the short distances between them. But for a truly unique tour of local wineries, hop aboard Excalibur Carriage Tours, which allows you to snap photographs of the gently rolling hills of California's wine country as you visit several local vineyards, sampling fine wines at each stop. To experience the quintessential wine country visit, stop at one of Napa County's numerous "mom-and-pop" markets, and grab a picnic to go. From fresh breads and salads to gourmet cheeses and, of course, wines, you'll have a feast worthy of the setting.

Locals take full advantage of the region's friendly weather year-round. Napa County's annual agenda is packed with outdoor festivals, including Southwest Art in Wine Country, Concerts in the Park and the annual Calistoga Beer and Sausage Festival. Bicycling in wine country is another favorite pasttime of locals and visitors, as is hot-air ballooning. Adventurous and perhaps a tad scary, ballooning is perhaps the best way to experience the beauty of Napa County's vineyards.

The cost of living in Napa County is high. That's not surprising considering the reputation that the state of California has for causing sticker shock in prospective homeowners; but the prices within this relatively small area are particularly high, ranging from $250,000 for modest homes all the way up to $1 million and more. If these prices are well out of your budget, condominiums, apartments and single-family home rentals are available in Napa County. On the other hand, so are large ranches and wineries. Homes that have adjacent wineries can run all the way up to $5 million or more. Plots of land are available for sale for those who have deep pockets and plan to build their dream homes in Napa. It's hard to imagine a more idyllic spot in the United States than right here in the heart of California wine country. The price may be high, but so are the resale values -- a fact that prospective homebuyers can't deny. If you can afford the initial investment, even a fixer-upper in Napa County can be a good insurance policy for your financial future. As long as the wines flow here, Napa's charm will never wear off -- which is likely to keep home prices soaring.

For more Community Profiles, Click Here