The settlement pattern in Napa County from its earliest days mirrored that of other rural, agricultural counties, with small settlements widely separated. This pattern continued, and modern Napa County remains sparsely settled outside of the incorporated cities/town and a small number of urbanized areas in the unincorporated county. Vineyards are located throughout the unincorporated areas, especially along State Route (SR) 128/29 and Silverado Trail, and are a major draw for tourists from all over the globe. While the county has traditionally had mainly rural and agricultural uses, in recent years, Napa County’s tourism and overall population has grown, placing increased demands on its transportation system, especially on SR 128/29, Silverado Trail and within the incorporated areas. SR 128/29 and Silverado Trail are the primary north-south routes within the county; both routes are high speed, high traffic corridors. Within the unincorporated areas, most roads are narrow with low traffic volumes. Some roads provide bicycle facilities in the form of wide shoulders, such as Silverado Trail which is a primary north/south bicycle route.
Relationship to Existing Plans This 2019 Bicycle Plan is an update to the 2012 Napa County Bicycle Plan and builds upon the recommendations on bikeways, policies, programs, and design standards detailed in the 2012 Plan. This 2019 Plan also dovetails with the 2008 Napa County General Plan and the 2016 Napa Countywide Pedestrian Plan which establishes an implementation plan to encourage more walking trips throughout Napa County and improve safety for all users. As of the writing of this 2019 Plan, Napa County is currently updating the Circulation Element of the County General Plan to revise the 2008 Circulation Element and incorporate current trends and best practices in countywide transportation planning. For more information about these plans, see Appendix D of the 2019 Napa Countywide Bicycle Plan.
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