Tastemaker: John and Dorothy Salmon

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When you want to truly know a city you ask the locals. AVIA's Napa hotel did just that, and here are picks and tips for diving into Napa.

John and Dorothy Lind- Salmon are one of Napa’s most prominent couples.

Dorothy is a civic and business leader who served as CEO of the Napa Valley Expo, a 34-acre fairground in downtown Napa from 1988 through 2000. She it from the brink of insolvency to fiscal health in three years in the midst of a serious recession. During five months in 1997, she helped raise $500,000 for Napa Valley's flood management plan that led to the $350 million Napa River restoration. She also helped create many local civic groups including the Napa Valley Leadership Council. which addresses major social and economic challenges facing Napa Valley.

John Salmon is an accountant and lawyer by training, who has a unique background in public sector asset management coupled with significant private sector commercial development and finance experience. He co-founded and owns Upstream Investments, a Northern California based-real estate investment and development organization dedicated to identifying unique and complex real estate development opportunities requiring innovative environmental, economic and entitlement
Dorothy and John Salmon, together with Harry Price, created the Coalition to Preserve Copia, which is seeking a creative way to buy and re-open the closed Copia facility for the local community’s benefit and use.

What is your city best known for, as far as the locals are concerned?
The sense of community and ability to rise to the occasion for important issues that affect many people.
If you sought a truly "off-the-beaten-path" experience in your city, where would you go or what would you do?
A wonderful off the beaten path experience in Napa is Connolly Ranch on Browns Valley Road, a working and demonstration ranch and farm with animals and crops so kids learn where food really comes from. Skyline Park is a delight, too.
Where are some places our guests should go to taste local cuisine? Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?
Boon Fly Café and ABC are the places to go for breakfast. Angéle is great for lunch. Uva Trattoria, Ubuntu “vegetable” restaurant, Annalien Vietnamese restaurant and Cole’s Chop House are the perfect places for dinner.
Where is a great place to see and experience local architecture in your city?
Experience local architecture on First Street for historic buildings; Franklin Street is the best place for wonderful turn-of-the-century (1900) homes.
What does your city have to offer as far as unique, romantic outings?
Well, for us, Napa River Adventures or kayaking on the Napa River into the coves near Lincoln Avenue are unique, romantic adventures…
What are some sensational shopping spots in your city?
Find sensational shopping in downtown Napa, and especially at Delightedly Different on Jackson Street, an upscale consignment shop.
Where would you take your friends to experience the local music scene?
Hear the best local music at Silo’s Jazz Club, Headfeather’s concerts and of course, the Napa Valley Opera House.
Where would you go to see intriguing local art?
See fascinating local art at the di Rosa gallery and at Gordon Huether’s new Haybarn Gallery, which is also his working studio.
What types of family fun activities would you suggest to those you know?
We like to take the grandkids to Connolly Ranch, Scientopia and to the Little Gourmet and a movie at the Cinedome. Real treats are a balloon ride and Wayne Lackey’s Wine Country Helicopter tours.
Where would you find the eclectic, underground nightlife in your city?
There’s not a lot of underground nightlife in Napa, but the concerts at Headfeathers are fun, and you’ll find a lot of locals, particularly people from the hospitality business, in ZuZu late at night.
Imagine you're planning a local day trip for your friends. What would it entail?
Start in Calistoga for coffee and scones, and shopping, then stop at Sterling for the tram ride and winetasting overlooking the valley. Have lunch anywhere in downtown St. Helena and shop. Then taste wine at Cakebread and Mondavi wineries, stop in Yountville to see the town, and then go to dinner at Angèle overlooking the river with a nightcap at Silo’s.
If the weather is not cooperating, what would you do or where would you go?
If it’s raining, go to a movie at the Cameo Cinema in St. Helena, or to the Opera House for a fabulous show.
Hands down, what is your favorite local event or festival?
The downtown Christmas Parade is our favorite local event. It’s real Napa. We also like the annual Town and County Fair, concerts on the river on the 4th of July and the river festival.
If you were to do one thing that characterizes a true local experience in your city, it would be…
Locals Night at the Oxbow Public Market is a great new party that has been embraced by Napa.
Where in your city do you go to splurge or treat yourself?Dorothy says, “I like to go to the Mustard Seed Clothing in the Napa Town Center with my pal Barbara.” John adds, “For food, Cole’s Chop House.”
What are the three words you would use to describe your city?Dorothy says friendly, blossoming and unique, though John says “an opportunity” is his choice over “unique.”
Where in your city are you most likely to run into a celebrity?You’d be most likely to run into celebrities at Auction Napa Valley, in downtown Napa or as the Napa Valley Opera House.
If your city were a movie, what would be its soundtrack?
With the renewed activity along the Napa River, it has to be “Rolling on the River!”
What are some essentials that guests to your city should be sure to pack?
Good walking shoes, a shawl for the chilly nights, and an appetite for great food and wine!

GREAT CITY FOR . . .

Tastemaker: John and Dorothy Salmon

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