Some of Napa Valley's most beautiful landscapes are hidden behind gates most of us never pass through.

Protected redwood forests, waterfalls, oak woodlands and ridgelines aren't necessarily off-limits - you just need to know how to get in.

This October, the Land Trust of Napa County is offering several opportunities to explore preserves that aren't normally open for casual hiking. Even better, two upcoming orientations can qualify you to return and hike on your own.

We'll show you where you can go, what's coming up, and how to get access.

Bringing your dog along for a Napa Valley wine tasting is easier than you might think, but some wineries make the experience much more welcoming than others.

A few go beyond simply allowing dogs on the patio, with extras like water bowls, treats, shaded seating, picnic areas, and even special canine tasting experiences.

For Part 4 of our Dog-Friendly Napa Valley series, we found several wineries where your dog can join the outing without feeling like an afterthought.

See which wineries stand out for four-legged guests, and what you should know before making a reservation.

Turbo has a job at the Napa County Animal Shelter.

He's only a little over a year old, but shelter staff have discovered something about this 63-pound Great Pyrenees that makes him particularly useful when they're trying to learn more about some of the other dogs in their care.

It's also one of the reasons they think Turbo could make a pretty remarkable family companion.

Find out what makes Turbo the dog the shelter turns to when another dog needs evaluating.

You carefully separate your recycling, compost and trash every week.

But are you actually putting everything in the right cart?

And once the collection truck pulls away, what really happens to all that stuff?

On October 10, Napa residents have a rare opportunity to follow their recycling and compost beyond the curb and see the process firsthand.

You might be surprised by what happens next—and by how much difference one seemingly harmless sorting mistake can make.

Before you roll your carts out again, take a look at what happens beyond the bin.

At seven years old, Jade Cunningham was helping prepare food at her aunt's neighborhood eatery in the Philippines.

Years later, she had worked her way into a kitchen that chefs around the world dream of joining: The French Laundry.

And then she decided to leave.

Not because things had gone wrong. Quite the opposite.

Something Jade had started doing late at night was selling out—and forcing her to reconsider what she really wanted to cook.

So what could persuade a rising young chef to walk away from The French Laundry?