San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm, located on the eastern slope of the San Gorgonio Pass
San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm is a large wind energy installation in Riverside County featuring hundreds of turbines spread across a mountainous valley. The location between two mountain ranges creates a natural wind corridor that drives consistent power generation for homes and businesses across the region.
An early wind turbine was built here in 1926 using salvaged roller coaster parts, marking the region's pioneering experiments with wind energy. The modern commercial wind farm began development in the 1980s as one of California's first large-scale wind power projects alongside facilities at Altamont and Tehachapi.
The wind farm has shaped the landscape since the 1980s and is now part of daily life for people who live and work in the region. The turbines scattered across the area represent California's commitment to clean energy and renewable power sources.
The wind farm is visible from Interstate 10 and several viewpoints in the region, with excellent views from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The site is privately operated, so access to the turbine area is restricted, but the installation can be easily observed from public roads and scenic overlooks.
The site pioneered wind energy experimentation in 1926 when a turbine was built using salvaged parts from an old roller coaster, decades before modern wind farms were established. This forgotten early innovation makes the location a genuine birthplace of American wind power development.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
