Napa Among Top 10 U.S. 'Zoom Towns' For People Who Love The Outdoors

NAPA, CA — The pandemic has opened up the chance for people to work remotely from wherever they like. Many workers no longer have to prioritize proximity to the office when deciding where to live. Instead, they can consider other factors that would improve their quality of life — one of which is access to the outdoors.

That's according to Ownerly, which recently analyzed 445 cities across the nation to see which ones are the best for remote workers who love the outdoors. The study's authors weighted their evaluations primarily on factors such as access to greenspace, number of gyms, the prevalence of leisure time activities, and levels of local or state fitness.

Napa was ranked No. 6 and got a total weighted score of 67.22. With a population of 78,924, Napa received 81 points for its broadband and 88 points for its leisure activities.

Here is what the study's authors had to say: "When people hear Napa, wine is almost definitely the first thing that comes to mind. Located in the heart of the Napa Valley wine region, the city is surrounded by some of the country’s best and most scenic vineyards and wineries. The city itself is characterized by its late-1800s and early-1900s architecture, a riverfront promenade and a vibrant arts scene. For remote workers who love the outdoors, Napa offers more than 52 parks that cover 800 acres of land. Golf lovers will rejoice in having access to the Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park, an 18-hole full-service championship course."

Here are the top 10 "Zoom Towns" for people who love the outdoors:

1. Santa Cruz, California (Score of 72.92)
2. Auburn, WA (Score of 69.14)
3. Beaverton, OR (Score of 68.90)
4. Bellingham, WA (Score of 68.25)
5. Portland, ME (Score of 68.19)
6. Napa, CA (Score of 67.22)
7. Fort Collins, CO (Score of 66.97)
8. Hillsboro, OR (Score of 66.72)
9. Lancaster, PA (Score of 66.24)
10. Thornton, CO (Score of 66.10)

To view the full study click here.