At the mention of “Old Faithful,” most people don’t think of California. But perhaps they should, because the Napa Valley is home to one of the world’s few Old Faithful geysers. To merit the name, this geyser exhibits consistent and predictable eruptions. Today, there are three Old Faithful geysers in the world, one in Yellowstone National Park, another in New Zealand, and the third in Calistoga, California.
Getting to Calistoga’s geyser is easy if you’re already on a tour of wine country, as the town is located just 30 miles north of Napa. From Napa’s main thoroughfare, Highway 29, road signs guide you to Foothill Boulevard/Highway 128. The geyser sight, with its ample parking, is just off of the highway on Tubbs Lane.
Standing outside the attraction’s entrance, high fences make it impossible to get a look at what might be inside, which means there’s no way around the entrance fee. On-site fainting goats might signal a tourist trap for some visitors, but don’t let them deter you from seeing the geyser itself. Admission for adults is $8.
Visitors enter through the gift shop to arrive at the outdoor grounds. Even when the geyser isn’t erupting, this sight is picturesque. Given Calistoga’s wine country location, the backdrop is complete with views of palm trees, mountaintops, and hillside vineyards. The thirty minute break between eruptions gives visitors a chance to examine the steaming rocks and surrounding pool of mineral water at the geyser’s base. And, of course, there are always those fainting goats.
Just as visitors start to grow impatient, the water at the base of the geyser begins to gurgle, like a small fountain. The stream grows slowly but steadily, eventually shooting sixty feet into the air, a height it sustains for several minutes. All the while, onlookers standing downwind are treated to a warm mineral water shower.
Seeing the geyser erupt is well worth the price of admission. Adding to the experience are on-site displays that explain the unique conditions required for geysers to exist. While Calistoga’s Old Faithful may not have the reputation enjoyed by its cousin in Wyoming, travelers to Napa Valley shouldn’t miss out on a chance to see one of the world’s rarest natural wonders.
For most visitors, this sight can be viewed in less than an hour. For those who want to view the geyser eruption more than once, picnic tables are on-site. Visitors are allowed to bring in their own food and stay as long as they like. The site is open from 9am – 5pm in the winter and 9am – 6pm in the summer. For more information, check out the Old Faithful Geyser of California website (http://www.oldfaithfulgeyser.com/home.htm).
