Almanac note · History and culture
The Geysers turn mountain steam into power
The Geysers near the Lake and Sonoma county line turned a long-known thermal area into one of California's most important geothermal power stories.
The Geysers is one of those California names that needs a little explaining. The area is famous for geothermal steam, but the name stuck even though it is not a place with showy geysers like Yellowstone.
Long before power plants, Native people knew the thermal area. Later it became a strange tourist draw, with hot ground, mineral water, and a reputation that sounded half science and half tall tale.
The power story came later. The Geysers history traces early electricity work in the 1920s, including a small plant in 1923. In 1960, PG&E completed Unit 1, and federal energy history marks The Geysers as an early commercial-scale geothermal power development in California.
What makes the place interesting is the simple idea behind a complicated system. Heat deep underground makes steam. Wells bring that steam up. Power plants turn it into electricity. Then water management matters, because the steam field has to be cared for if it is going to keep working.
This is not a normal park stop, and most industrial areas should be treated as off limits unless a tour or visitor program is clearly open. Still, it gives the Lake-Sonoma county line a powerful story: California energy includes dams, oil fields, solar farms, wind, and mountain steam.
Where to see it
The Geysers geothermal area near Cobb and the Mayacamas Mountains. Most power areas are not casual public access.
Official sources
Official source trail
Reviewed July 1, 2026
California Porch explains the path. The official source is still the place to confirm the current rule, fee, form, map, deadline, or office decision.
Use the official page before you spend money, file paperwork, rely on a deadline, or change a property.
Connected places
Where it fits on the map
Open a place page for the county layer, nearby places, and other California entries tied to that local page.
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