Old Faithful Geyser of California is located in the upper Napa Valley near Calistoga. Napa Valley’s geyser is only one of three “old faithful” worldwide.
This geyser shoots a stream of scalding steam up to 75 feet into the air every thirty minutes. If you visit Napa Valley with kids in tow, then a stop at Old Faithful Geyser is almost mandatory.
Along with the geyser, there is the small herd of fainting goats, a breed that faints when startled. With so many visitors, the goats have become used to noise and are not easily scared. Still, this is a fun place to visit, and children will enjoy the old faithful.
Old Faithful Geyser is an exciting side trip in Napa Valley. The geyser erupts about every fifteen minutes to up to 30 minutes. Each time we visit, the admission seems to increase. They have added a new lavender garden, but there is little to see besides the Old Faithful.
On weekends and during summer vacation, highway 29 can be very congested with traffic; we suggest you use the Silverado Trail instead. The best time to visit is during the week or late fall and winter. Head to the geyser first and then, on the return trip, wine tasting.
If you stop by a few wineries on the way up the valley, chances are you will never make it to Calistoga to see Old Faithful Geyser.
About Calistoga California
Fascinated by natural hot springs, Samuel Brannan purchased more than 2,000 acres of the upper Napa Valley to develop a spa reminiscent of Saratoga Springs in New York. His vision was to make this place the Saratoga of California.
His Hot Springs Resort surrounding Mt Lincoln with the Spa located at what is now Indian Springs Resort opened to California’s rich and famous in 1862. In 1868, Brannan’s Napa Valley Railroad Company’s track was completed to Calistoga. This provided an easier travel option for ferry passengers making the journey from San Francisco.
With the addition of railroad service, Calistoga became a destination and the transportation hub for the upper valley and a gateway to Lake and Sonoma Counties. A 6-meter diorama of this early Calistoga can be seen in the Sharpsteen Museum.
Calistoga’s economy was based on mining, agriculture, and tourism to the hot springs. One of the early visitors was Robert Louis Stevenson. He had yet to write his fantastic novels, met Fanny Vandegrift in France, followed her to San Francisco, and, after she had obtained a divorce, married her in May 1880.
Three days later, they were on their way to their honeymoon at Calistoga Hot Springs Hotel. Desiring to stay in the area, they moved from the hotel to an abandoned cabin at the nearby Silverado Mine on Mount Saint Helena.
While working on other stories, Stevenson kept a journal that became the Silverado Squatters describing many local features, residents, and characters.
Where is Old Faithful Geyser
Highway 29 can be congested with traffic; we suggest you use the Silverado Trail instead. The best time to visit is during the week or late fall and winter. Head to the geyser first, and then enjoy Napa Valley wine tasting on the return trip.
Old Faithful Geyser Calistoga California Address: 1299 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, California.
Not too many “Road Side Attractions” left these days. This one is defiantly worth checking out when you are day-tripping through the Napa Valley. Sign says the geyser goes off every 45 minutes but the day we visited it was closer to every 20 minutes.