The city of Napa is the county seat of Napa County, California, United States. It is the principal city of the Napa County Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses Napa County. The City of Napa was founded by Nathan Coombs in 1847. Its downtown is known for late-1800s and early-1900s architecture, a riverfront promenade with shops and restaurants, and an arts scene anchored by the Napa Valley Opera House.