To this day, Old Faithful Geyser of California remains one of the most photographed places in the state, and your dog can experience it right alongside you. The geyser sits at the top of Napa Valley, and the drive up through wine country gives you a sense of just how remote this place is compared to the tourist corridor below. Dogs are welcome on the grounds to visit the geyser itself, the museum, and the farm.

In the early days of the National Geographic Society, Old Faithful was declared one of only three “faithful” geysers in the world because of its remarkably regular eruptions. It soon became one of the most visited places in the American West, drawing people who wanted to witness that kind of natural predictability. The rainbows that form in the mist during each eruption are genuinely striking—the light hits the spray at just the right angle, and you’ll understand why photographers keep coming back.

What makes a visit here interesting beyond the geyser itself is the historical context. There’s a working farm on the property and a museum that walks you through the geology and the discovery of the geyser. Your dog can wander around the grounds while you take in both the natural phenomenon and the story behind it.

There’s also something oddly compelling about the fact that this geyser has proven itself to be a good predictor of earthquakes. When the geyser’s regular eruptions are delayed or diminished, an earthquake is likely within the next couple of weeks somewhere in the 500 miles surrounding it. It’s the kind of detail that makes you realize you’re standing at a place that’s genuinely connected to larger geological forces.

The setting is peaceful and a bit otherworldly, especially if you go early in the morning when fewer visitors are around. Bring water for your dog—the terrain is fairly open and exposed.