Old Faithful Geyser Calistoga California

Old Faithful Geyser is located in the upper Napa Valley near the town of Calistoga. The Calistoga geyser is only one of three "old faithful's" in the world. Every thirty minutes or so this geyser shoots a stream of scalding steam up to 75 feet into the air.

Another attraction 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 the kids will really enjoy old faithful.

Old Faithful Geyser is an interesting day trip from San Francisco. Nearby is the town of Calistoga which has a selection of places to eat along the main street. Calistoga is 75 miles north of San Francisco Take U. S. Highway 101 north across the Golden Gate Bridge and exit at CA 37 East (exit 460A). Go north on CA 29.

During the summer months highway 29 can be very congested with traffic. Best time to visit is during the week or in late fall and winter. Head to the geyser first and then on the return trip stop off for a wine tasting.

If you enjoy wine tasting first chances are you will never make it all the way to Calistoga and the geyser.

About Calistoga: Fascinated by Calistoga’s natural hot springs, Samuel Brannan purchased more than 2,000 acres of the upper Napa Valley with the intent 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/Hotel 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 not only a destination, but also 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 great 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 honeymoon at the 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 which became the Silverado Squatters describing many local features, residents and characters.

Old Faithful Geyser Calistoga California Address: 1299 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515 Phone: 707-942-6463

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