Palomar Observatory

Driving back to Del Mar after my many sleep-outs in Anza-Borrego (over many years), this seemed like the most opportune time to visit the Observatory. If it were not for the motorbike/HP-automobile "blast-the-windy-corners" crowd, the drive-up would have been idyllic. It was just I, a "Father-Daughter" pair, an Odd-Couple, and a random motorbike rider (resplendent in his protective garb). I (basically) had free-reign of the entire Property :) The sequoias at the Visitors Center (planted c.1945, I believe) are 30m tall, and 230cm diameter DBH... It was a perfect day to be visiting. If it were not that the walk-able Observatory doors and the observatory Telescope Doors were not directly aligned (I measured a ~7deg offset), this experience might have smelled like Heaven ;)

Disappointed !!! Drove a few thousands kilometers to get here to see a place I've wanted to visit since i was kid. Saw it was closed on Saturday, online. Checked again for Sunday and all appeared normal hours. Drove up to only find it CLOSED. No notice on line no signs on thr road. My one chance and missed it. Disappointed.....

This is a beautiful observatory, and, at least when we went, it didn't appear to be one that is visited often. The drive up was amazing, and I can completely understand why people with high-performance sports cars might desire to visit. However, it was extremely foggy on our way up, so we couldn't test the performance of our rental...SUV. we essentially had the place to ourselves, and we made the most of it. We spent a lot of time reading through all of the exhibits. It was rather chilly as we went in March, and it was overcast, but we enjoyed the trip nonetheless.

It’s a great place to visit & enjoy the nature, science ✨ Loved it a lot! Check out our instagram @theshukans.weddings

This was such a great observatory to visit. I went here on a field trip with my school, and it was only $5 a ticket for a one hour tour. The gift shop was pretty small but had a lot of great options. I got a super cool glow-in-the-dark constellation shirt, along with some constellation deck cards, a postcard, and some stickers! The tour guide was super nice and informative, giving a great history lesson on the observatory and its contributions. I would’ve loved to be able to look through the telescope, but it is a research telescope, so I get why no one was able to. I would suggest bringing a jacket with you if you go anytime besides the summer, because the observatory itself was pretty chilly. The surrounding plants outside the observatory were also pretty cool, and overall this was a great experience! I’d definitely recommend this as a quick weekend trip.

Such a wonderful visit here! John, (the janitor), greeted us and stayed and answered numerous questions, provided tons of information and ensured our visit was absolutely perfect! Hard to imagine why John isn't working in PR or in another area. He was that good and made our visit very special! Only negative comment concerns the challenging hike up from the parking lot and stairs needed for visitors. Wheelchair-bound visitors may find it difficult or impossible to visit inside the dome, except the museum which does have a ramp and restroom facilities for ADA visitors. They set aside two times per day for elevator use, if an employee is available. Absolutely a must visit!

The biggest telescope I've ever seen. Tons of information at the visitor center, a gift shop and walk to the observatory is just 300 yards. They close at 3:30 pm.

If you are going to the tour , buy the tickets at the gift shop, before going to the dome, we have to go back to buy it and then go again to the dome, which is like 6 to 8 minutes away. Beautiful experience, lot of new information from the guides. Interesting place.

Yesterday (March 18th, 2025) we made the drive up to Mt. Palomar Observatory, something my 93-year-old father-in-law said he wanted to do. Seeing this wonder had been in the back of my mind as well, so I said, "Let's do it!" Having only recently lost his wife, through tears he explained to our amazing, friendly and knowledgeable guide Christi that he'd hoped to bring her up to the observatory someday, but she passed before he'd had the opportunity to do so. To Christi, he said, "I'd love to look through that 200" telescope and try to find my wife in Heaven." Definitely a tug on the heartstrings moment... and she responded with the sort of compassion one would expect from a family member. As other reviewers have noted, the public is not allowed to look through the scope; that privilege is reserved for nighttime astronomers. News to this 70-year-old reviewer... learn something new every day! That said, Christi explained to us the intricate construction of the telescope, the "re-mirroring" every two years, how the entire dome rotates to accommodate the different astronomers' needs, why the inside of the observatory is kept at a chilly 40°, and so much more. She told us she was "...new here..." but would answer as many questions as she could. Well, I'm a questioner, especially when seeing an incredibly complicated device such as the Hale Telescope (named after astronomer George Ellery Hale). Christi was able to answer most of my inquiries, and I have no doubt she will research the answers to any questions that stumped her. I cannot recommend this young woman highly enough to the powers that be at Mt. Palomar Observatory. Next to the gift shop is a small but very informative room for visitors thirsting for more information. The infinity of the Universe has always fascinated me, along with the mind-boggling intelligence of those who wish to explore its vastness. This tiny room is bursting with their stories. To those who posted "glass-half-empty" reviews here, I'm sorry the wonder of this landmark was lost on you. Perhaps you'll give it another look sometime. Getting a feel for how tiny our little planet Earth is when compared to the infinite puts our very existence into an entirely new perspective.

Took an incredible tour with two very informative and incredible tour guides. We were able to get close to the telescope and operate a simulation on how it works. It was very cool and we enjoyed our time here.

After being closed since 2020 due the pandemic, it's now possible to tour the Palomar Observatory either on your own or, for an exclusive backstage experience, on a guided tour (tickets $10 in the Visitor Center.) Our docent was an engineer who regaled us with many, many technical details that sailed right over my head. Nevertheless, fun to watch my fellow tour members asking super technical questions and getting great answers. I did ask one question: what happens if the Big One hits? We were told the Observatory is safe up to a 7.5 earthquake. Phew. For me, it was awe-inspiring to see such an important telescope in person. Tickets for the tours do sell out, so check the website for tour times and plan ahead. https://sites.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/homepage.html The drive up to Palomar Observatory is stunning (word to the wise, my GPS was useless on Palomar Mountain for some reason. Download a map on your phone or bring a paper map. Remember those? They're great if your phone dies!) You ascend from chaparral into pine forests, filled with wildflowers in spring. Absolutely gorgeous road; parking is free at the observatory. Entrance is also free. Check the website for hours (they close and lock the parking lot early.) Bring a sweater; it can be chilly inside the observatory. The Visitor's Center offers displays on the science behind space exploration, information regarding astronomy, and, most importantly, a great gift shop with souvenirs for all. Highly recommended!

A drive up a long and steep winding road... More of a pain when coming back down if you get caught behind bicycle riders who hog the middle of the lane (yeah, causing a 3~ backup of vehicles)... Nothing much can be seen in the museum that you cannot find better in YouTube and other media... Nothing much can be bought at the shop either... And nothing much can be done/seen at the observatory itself if you miss the public tours (times are not published in the website; only once you "check in" the museum/shop). Wasted family's time. Overrated...

Awesome place to visit. The gift shop was small but well stocked. The guided tour costs only $5.00 and is more than a bargin. The volunteers are extremely knowledgeable about the observatory and it's history. Every American should visit this iconic landmark that is still contributing to the betterment of mankind. This place makes me proud to be an American.

Guided tour is hands down the best and must do... Go behind the scenes with the experts who explain everything in detail... and answer all your questions...

Cool place but not accessible. To get inside the Observatory and see the telescope it is not accessible as there are only stairs, no ramps. In the winter it is also very cold up here, so bring your coat, a hat, and gloves. In the summer bring your sunhat as it gets hot. There are places around here where you can sit down on benches and be under trees but it does get busy during summer. Also I'm not sure if it's just me, but this place does have an eerie feel to it, not sure why. Feels haunted or like I was being watched.

GREAT FUN ! My wife and I made the drive up here a few years back soon after I bought my new Nissan 350Z Roadster. You don't see any snow where I come from..back in Queensland, Australia so it was a real thrill to see lots of snow all round on the way up here. Every now then we pulled over to take some pics of the incredible view. Not enough snow on the roads to make it dangerous so that was the good part. We stopped at the General Store and then headed over to check out the Observatory. Everything looked totally spectacular with snow on it....we even saw a Snowman that someone had built. We had a wonderful time !

I was going compare Palomar to Griffith Observatory, but they are truly two unique experiences. While Griffith is open late and has a lot of interactive activities set in several rooms like a museum, Palomar is privately owned, open just until late afternoon to the public, and the only interactive activity is a tour. I recommend getting there early on a weekend day and signing up for the tour. It's only 5$ and it sells out fast- I got there 10 minutes after the gift shop opened and the first tour was sold out already. While you wait, sit and watch the videos in the gift shop and learn a bunch of details about the creation of the site. It made the tour easy to understand since it was a lot of information packed into an hour. I don't recommend the tour for kids. While astrology is for all ages, the tour is about the history and architecture of the telescope. All the kids below the age of ten were super bored. Overall, it is a nice way to spend a bit of time. You could easily look around for 15 minutes and be done as there isn't much here. Neutral: - not kid-friendly Pros: - scenic drive - inexpensive tour - free parking - paved walkways, slight gradients (not super hilly like Griffith) - near camping and other activities - pet friendly exterior grounds Cons: - kinda boring - not much to see - not open late

We were staying at Observatory Campground and hiked here (2.2 miles one way) hoping to see the observatory. Upon arriving, there's a gift shop/museum. Many people were lined up for the tour tickets. We didn't want to do the tour because we read some reviews below and probably not for us. I guess I expected more from the observatory. I (for some reason) thought you can actually walk around/inside in the observatory. They had everything blocked off. You had one viewing window. I also stumbled upon the tour and it sounded very informative...saw a lot of bored kids. I wish they offer a tour where you can actually see how the observatory/telescope works and look through the telescope, like a real astronomer! I've never seen space, only through pictures.

If you're not into science, astronomy, engineering, architecture, physics, etc.... well, you won't appreciate the Palomar Observatory. Many astronomical discoveries have been made here thanks to ongoing research through Caltech. When the gates close to the general public, scientists hope for clear skies to record as much effective information that they can. As Robert T. alluded, this is one of most famous observatories in the U.S. due to its size. It may not be the largest in the world anymore, but for a very long time it was. The visitor's center is a nice clean facility with some information to read. Inside is the tiniest gift shop ever. It was closed when we visited (5.9.18) otherwise I would have liked to have taken a gander at their books. TIP - do some research before visiting... figure out their hours and when tours are available or it may be closed A shout out to George and Bill who both work there in maintenance. Thanks for making our day! For some extra fun, listen to The Wellwater Conspiracy's psychedelic instrumental tune "Palomar Observatory." There's also a crazy alien-like song from the Peter Thomas Sound Orchester called "Mount Palomar Observatory: Eye Into the Sky" too, but the former is much cooler. 2018 Challenge #81

Check the website and it was supposed to be open after 2 hours drive the place was closed and no one was answering. Very disappointing

One of the most famous observatories in the USA. Brief, though fascinating view of the inner workings of the observatory. Wonderful drive up the mountain, occasionally stopping to collect the huge Coulter pine cones along the roadside. Stop at Mother's Kitchen for lunch on the way back. Their posole is excellent.

Up, up, 5550 ft high, suspended in a sleepy cloud forest above all of San Diego.... Mount Palomar and the Observatory are what dreamy afternoons are made of. Take it slow & enjoy the drive. There's lots of lookout points on the climb up the mountain, so step outside your four-doors to soak in the quietness & crisp air as the elevation rises. The big white dome in all its glory eventually comes into view, and it's truly a stunning & bright fixture among the green & natural backdrop. It sits at the highest point for as far as the eye can see, which makes for magnificent views when looking down to the now-dwarfed city & mountains. With only a handful of other quiet visitors during my trip, both the drive & exploring the Observatory grounds felt so soothing. You won't be able to catch a tour on weekdays, but opt for the open road & sleepy museum ambiance only possible on days other than Saturday & Sunday. The actual exhibit is quite small, but it's loaded with enough information to fill at least an hour. The displays are better suited for adults, as I could imagine children blowing through everything very quickly. Parking is free & plentiful, but be sure not to overstay your welcome - gates lock promptly at closing time! Stay mindful of the clock if you end up wandering off along the nearby hiking trail. **TIP** No gas, no food, and no notable gift shop. Visit with a full tank, a full belly or a picnic lunch, as well as a hunger to gain knowledge rather than mementos.

A place with a very beautiful view. I was there last week and we liked it very much. I recommend it to everyone.

It's a nice drive and a quick visit but why not make a day out of it. Bring some food up for a picnic ( tables located on site), visit the observatory, then take a nice early afternoon hike through the surrounding forest. The hiking trail is called the Palomar Observatory Trail - https://www.yelp.com/biz/palomar-mountain-observatory-trail-palomar-mountain It's an out and back trail that is about 4.4 miles total. Just keep in mind when the Observatory's parking lot closes. Figure about 2.5 hours to hike and explore the trail. A Few Notes - The South Grade road is notorious for crotch rockets zooming up and down the switchbacks. They lean heavily on every turn, usually with a gopro on their helmet. Be careful. - Temper your small kids expectation as they cannot actually look through the telescope! - Mother's kitchen is good place to eat on the mountain. Many vegetarian dishes. - Take the East Grade road down to get a different perspective of the area. It's also less traveled by motorcyclists - Forgot to get gas? There is is a gas station further down the 76 on the La Jolla Reservation. It's right off the side of the road called the La Jolla Indian Trading Post. Higher gas prices but you're the one that forgot to fill up before you left.

Upon arrival, the first place you encounter is the museum/visitor center and gift shop with the huge Hale Telescope in the background. At the visitor center you'll learn a little about the observatory and it's history ~ The Palomar's telescopes, and it's discoveries. ~ George Ellery Hale, the father of astrophysics. ~ Cool photos and information about galaxies, nebulas, and the instruments used to take these photos. Very interesting! ~ A couple of interactive exhibits. ~ And I didn't mind spending money in the gift shop to help support the research. As far as the Hale Telescope and the visitor gallery, you'll get a get a direct view of the telescope from the ground floor. There's also display panels describing the telescope's components, the 200-inch primary mirror, and how light passes inside the telescope. ~ This was the first telescope to discover quasars. Something I didn't know. I enjoyed it here, but honestly, I was expecting more. Not sure exactly what, but I guess killing a few hours here is fine. Maybe because I was expecting to visit the other telescopes. No big deal. Maybe I'll try a tour group next time. Definitely a different activity! I mean, how often do you really go out to visit an observatory? It's unique, as it is truly a site to see! Tips: ~ Call before you make the drive out, and make sure they're definitely open. ~ Fill up with gas, as it's a long stretch up Palomar mountain. ~ Good luck getting a signal to check in on Yelp. ~ Respect the rules of the facility, and keep the grounds clean. We're just lucky this place allows visitors.

So it was really cool to read about the observatory and watch videos describing all kinds of things that this location has discovered and how they opened up to the public. We went with the intentions of getting to walk through the actual observatory and see the telescope but they only do it on the weekends and we went on a Friday. You have to hike a short distance from the gift shop/visitor center down to the observatory. If you are going to the big telescope, you have to walk up stairs to get to the top. They do not have an elevator so you have to make the trek up. If you have asthma like me, bring your inhaler!

If you live in San Diego County you have to come see this extraordinary spot! The drive up Mt. Palomar is full of twist and turns for those that seek an adventure on a bike, motorcycle, or car. Just remember to always do the speed limit and watch with caution! You will reach elevation of over 5,000 ft. There are a few turn outs where you can stop to take pictures or rest your legs. Once you get to the top you will come to the entrance of the Palomar Observatory! There is a Museum and Gift store located inside. The Observatory closes by 3:00 PM and the gift shop by 2:45. The views are incredible and who knew learning about stars and science could be so much fun! you are able to go inside the building to the this massive telescope! You can also purchase tours to go on the inside of the glass but taking a look is absolutely FREE!!! Pets are allowed but can not go inside the buildings. This is very unique and it was awesome learning about the stars! It's Out of this World!

I give PO 5 stars, a cool and unassuming white building with its dome roof, atop a mountain. It has a room with pictures of outerspace, planets and the sun and the opportunity to look at the telescope (through protective glass) and talk to the staff and ask about the secrets of the universe (the truth is out there, just need to ask the right questions). as a location and an attraction to go visit, it is as good as you can expect. Free parking, its an hour or so drive from central San Diego (driving up the mountain gives me a head ache, but that is on me, not PO). Also, this is for the sake of science, understanding the world and universe we live in, how do you boil it down to 5 stars? Carl Sagan would give it billions and billions of stars ( take note yelpsters). Please, nothing less then 3 stars nor comments about how some other science center or observatory is nicer, elsewhere. It took a lot of effort and raising the funds neccesary to make PO happen. Science is about discovery, not luxury, hence the all white building with no distinct style. Also, that telescope is super powerful, I am a science fan and I do not fully understand exactly what that telescope can do (how else are you going to get those amazing pictures of other celestial forms and planets?).

I took the 1 hour, 15 minute scenic drive here this past Sunday to try to catch the 130p tour. Unfortunately, when we arrived at 1p, we found out that the tour was already booked! It is such a shame & there is no way of knowing before you take the long drive because you can only buy tickets at the Palomar Observatory gift shop. The cashier informed me that they do this because the observatory can be closed due to weather conditions. Personally, I would rather take the risk of buying tickets beforehand & getting a refund due to bad weather versus driving all the way there only to find out that the tour is completely booked! :( The 1 hour observatory tour is only available on Saturdays & Sundays at 11a or 130p. The cashier informed us that both times on Saturdays & 130p on Sundays tend to book quickly so plan accordingly (maybe be there 2 hours ahead of time to buy tickets). 11a on Sundays are a better choice to come. The observatory outside is cool & you are able to see a tiny (& I mean tiny) section of the observatory.

Reach for the stars. Literally. The drive up to the observatory had my car climbing over 3000 feet into the stratosphere where the air is thin and not a sound can be heard for miles around. An unassuming fence welcomes visitors into the parking lot. The observatory parking lot tends to be filled with tour buses. The observatory had 2 buildings to visit: A visitor center and the giant telescope. Both buildings were finished in shiny white marble, very beautiful looking. The place looks like a monument to science that Cal Tech built so that if one day man was wiped off the face of the planet, there would be no doubt that ours was an intelligent species.

Great place for a day trip from SD! Make sure to check the road conditions during winter months because of snow and possible closures. It's really fun to see snow so close (about an hour drive from the city). The observatory is a really cool place if you're into science and astronomy. It's run by JPL so there's people there during work hours. Check the times before you go too and the gate from the parking lot to the trail closes. The hike up to the observatory is short w a mild grade uphill. The path is paved. There's some cool stuff to look at once you're inside. Make sure to have gas and snacks because it's a ways from most major stores. Cell service is spotty too.

Nice family day trip to the Palomar Obsevatory, grounds are well maintained to walk around and have a picnic, plenty of parking and bathrooms are kept clean. Take a little walk to see the telescope then go to the visitors center, there is lots of information to learn about astronomy, science and more, there is a little device where you learn about colors, very interesting. We also saw the little dome, but we couldn't get into that area. Beautiful scenery driving up and down the mountain with great Vista points to stop and enjoy the views.

I arrived early to visit the Palomar Observatory. Gates open at 9am. After parking, we walked to the visitors center, where there is restrooms, a gift shop, and a gallery. From there we walked to the Observatory which is a close walking distance from the parking lot and visitors center. Once inside, we took the stairs to get access the second floor, where one can see the telescope through a glass window. One is able to go inside and stand behind a chained fence to get a closer look, but at a later time than 9:30am. *There were alot of flies at the parking lot

Relaxing and beautiful setting, not an exciting trip, but a really nice half day visit. Our tour guide stretched about 30 solid minutes of science and history into a 90 minute rambling visit. Not bad, but a pretty laid back place. We enjoyed bringing a picnic lunch and having it after the tour in the picnic area near the parking lot. Please visit after you've worked your way through all the other amazing tours in San Diego! Recommend that you show up right at 9am (opening) to sign up for the first tour, wander around (museum, gift shop, and grounds) until the tour at 10:30, and have a picnic lunch (bring your own) at the site.

Beautiful location. Impressive facilities & telescope. I'm so impressed with CalTech. The staff were knowledgeable, intelligent & helpful. So proud of the university & staff.

Great place! Beautiful grounds. The trees smell amazing! A great picnic area in the shade among the trees. Concrete picnic benches. Bring wipes to clean up table. Bird poo, tree sap. Picnic area was a busy place. The museum was nice had quite a bit of information about the observatory in it and a small gift shop. They sell a self tour guide there. The walk from the parking lot is not long. Your first stop out of parking lot on trail is the museum. The trail to the observatory is paved and slightly up hill. Beautiful trees and plants to enjoy on your walk. The observatory has steps to enter the building then more steps to get up stairs to see telescope. It's a great place! Enjoy

Definitely worth the trip from San Diego if you are of a science geek bent or know someone who is. Just remember when packing that it is usually FRIGGING COLD at 5500 ft elevation. The telescope building itself is kept very cool in order to minimize distortions due to expansion and contraction, so if you want to stay in the "fishbowl" to view maintenance of the telescope, plan for meatlocker temperatures. Gents, you may want to pack gloves if you plan on taking a leak in the washrooms. The nearby museum has displays about the telescope itself and the engineering feats that allowed it to happen, e.g. the invention of Pyrex allowed the 200 inch mirror to be cast since it doesn't contract and expand very much. There are also great pictures of the universe and the usual mind blowing astronomical numerical comparisons. Most of the displays are images and text or computer touchscreen displays, so there are not many tactile exhibits for small kids. There is a small gift shop selling astronomically themed shirts etc. but there is no fudge shop to pollute the local ambiance. The telescope area is closed at 4pm and the parking lot closes at 4:45pm. P.S. If you are planning on trying the 2 mile hike which terminates outside the parking lot, it looks as if it has been bulldozed to create a fire break. The path is thus full of overturned rocks and fresh roots waiting to claim your ankles.

The scenic drive up the mountain is worth the trip. There are picnic tables near the parking lot. The small museum/gallery and gift shop are right after the gates. There's a short, slightly graded walk up to the observatory. When you get to the dome, there's stairs leading up to the observation deck. Glass separates the deck from the telescope. The facility was built prior to ADA regulations, therefore getting to the telescope will be a little difficult, but not at all impossible. I was told by a very helpful employee that there is an elevator, but it is small for a wheelchair. It will accommodate a walker with the person standing. To allow people who have difficulty to view the telescope, there's a monitor that shows live feed of the observatory. If you're expecting something like the Griffith Observatory, you will be disappointed. A trip to Palomar Observatory is a welcome break from all that concrete, most of us are used to.

I'm not going to rate the observatory but rather the drive up to there. If you have a sports car with good tires, good shocks, and a racing attitude, this drive is amazing. Not only is it an amazing mountainous road like the one up to Big Bear, but the view is beautiful. Be careful for dirt/gravel though. I almost fishtailed on the way down.

After taking a winding road up Palomar Mountain, you can find Palomar Observatory owned and operated by CalTech. Because it is an active research facility on a mountain that does get snow, you'll want to use their call-ahead number to find out if they are open before you head all the way up there. Self-guided tours of their museum and the the visitor's gallery by the Hale Telescope are available. There is a free audio available on their website to supplement your visit. Guided tours are offered April-October at 11 and 1:30 on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are first-come, first-serve and available at the Gift Shop and are reasonably priced at $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and free for children 12 and under. The guided tours allow you to go inside of the Hale dome and get a closer look at the telescope and hear more about the history and how in the world they built the scope. The interior of the dome is kept at a similar temperature as the night sky is predicted to be, so it can be cool. Being from a place that gets quite a bit colder than California during half of the year, I thought it felt quite nice in there, but those from warmer climes found it a bit chilly. The museum is small but very interesting, including informational displays, films, and some interactive exhibits, focusing on space, astronomy, and people and discoveries specific to Palomar. There are a number of volunteers who staffed the tours, and they were all really friendly and helpful. Great place to visit, especially if you're interested in astronomy.

**The hours on here refer to their winter hours (9am to 3pm). During the summer, it is 9am to 4pm. This includes the museum and the observatory building. They are open daily except for December 24 & 25 as well as weather emergencies or maintenance operations (check their website before going as they post updates). **Bring a sweater or jacket! It was really cold inside. Free admission. Inside the observatory, you can view the 200-inch Hale telescope from behind glass. There are a few posters with general information about the telescopes (there are several smaller ones on the property as well). If you want a closer look at the Hale telescope, they do tours - check their website for specific times. There is also a museum (free too). This is a small room but has a video you can watch as well as some small informational exhibits. They had one or two interactive exhibits as well. Tiny gift shop with shirts and postcards and a few other items. It's not much but it's free and educational. There is a parking area (gates close shortly after the museum closes) but another option is to hike here. This is what we did and I definitely recommend it if you like hiking. I really enjoyed having an educational destination at the end of the hike as opposed to just turning back around. The Observatory Trail begins at the Observatory Campground and ends right at the parking lot for the Observatory. At the campground, there is a small parking area by the amphitheater (a bunch of benches in actuality) and that's where the trail begins. It's about 5 miles RT but pretty easy (no climbing or long stretches of uphill walking). There was also a nice balance of shade and sun so you were never too cold (we came in November) or baking in the sun. This hike would be good in the summer too, I think, due to the sun/shade ratio. It was really peaceful and relaxing, with pines and cones on the ground. The trees allowed for occasional glimpses into picturesque vistas. Don't forget to give yourself enough time to get to the Observatory (since they close fairly early) and walk around for a bit. You can also do the hike from the Observatory but you need to start earlier and be aware that the parking gates do close at a particular time. There is more parking there than at the campground so that's an advantage. Just be cognizant of time.

I called the day before we were planning on visiting and the recording said that there were guided tours two times. I either did not hear that it was only on Saturdays and Sundays or it didn't say. So we drove up the twisty turny roads for 1 hour 45 minutes from San Diego to look around the museum and observatory. I'm sure it would've been much better with a tour. My kids thought it was boring. I'm glad there was no admission fee or parking fee. The drive up was fun because my car takes tight turns really well. I'm glad I wasn't in my suburban. That would've been a nightmare.

This is a great place to stop if you're visiting the Palomar mountain. I'm not sure if their tour schedule is the same everyday but on the weekend they have two tours a day taking you around the observatory. Unfortunately I missed the tour but there is a lot of information on the plaques on the wall. The 200 inch telescope was magnificent.

A nice experience and knowledge about how telescopes work. They have a demo scale in which you can learn the operation of it. Also they show you how the current telescope works in the observatory. A nice speech from the professor!

Awesome learning experience! All though they did not open the dome, still have a great time with the kids.

Fun and educational trek with the kiddos. Loved the visitor center and the staff in the gift shop. A must see and do for all., Bring your picnic take a little hike or stroll, something you def do at least once.

Unlike a certain touristy other place in LA, this is the real deal, a working observatory owned by Caltech that allows tours inside the dome during summer. The 200-inch diameter Hale telescope was the largest during its time before the Keck 1 & 2 and GTC took over. Tours are conducted Oct to May at 11am and 1:30pm on weekends, tour tickets are $5 and sold at the gift shop first-come first-served. Each tour has 30 people max, and the tickets tend to sell out on holiday weekends, so come early to snag a ticket and avoid disappointment. Don't expect to peer through the scope, this ain't the $50 junk you get at Toys R Us. Even the researchers don't do that, CCDs and infra-red equipment are attached at the end, not an eyepiece. If you don't manage to get on the tour, there is also a viewing gallery which you can have a view of the inside of the dome and the technicians prepping the scope. The observatory parking lot closes at 4pm in summer and 3pm in winter where they kick everyone out and preparations for observations begin. For the uninitiated, the mountainous road up and down is a slightly white-knuckle drive, especially downhill with several hairpin turns and steep grades. Lower the gear and do not ride your brakes or you will boil the brake fluid and kill the brakes and rotors. There are a couple of biker groups that practice on weekends. Move aside and let them pass. :P Definitely a place to let your inner geek escape and Initial-D drift racing dreams run havoc.

The bf decided to head this way after Julian and I'm glad we did. We were able to catch some snow and hang around for awhile. This was the first time I've been up here. It was pretty amazing! The only thing I wasn't too fond of was the drive up there. Luckily, I didn't do the driving. Make sure you go inside the observatory and check out the telescope!!

It was Sunday so the observatory was rather empty. We used the facilities and checked out the telescope which by the way was nifty, but again, it was Sunday. Nada was going on. However, there were tour groups and families that did pass through anyway. It's a beautiful campus that was a throwback to the 1950s - given the architecture that was reminiscent of government institutions - even though the telescope goes further back than the 1950s. I'll make sure to come back to fully justify that 4th star. :P

Came here on Sunday afternoon to take the guided tour. This was my first time here after living in San Diego for 30 years! The drive up is windy, but paved roads. Lots of motorcyclists zooming past. The observatory is at 5500 feet and you climb to that elevation fairly quickly. The views are spectacular. When we got to the observatory, we had a picnic lunch at the picnic area in the front. It seemed to be the thing to do with lots of people. It's so beautiful and peaceful up there. I was definitely in my happy place with the smell of the trees, sound of the birds, and the fresh crisp air (it was about 68 degrees and windy). We went into the visitor center/gift shop first to purchase our tour tickets. There is a gallery of things to look at and learn about the history of the telescope. This also has restrooms. We walked the path up to the observatory and took our guided tour. The docents were funny and passionate about the telescope. Really amazing to learn so much history about it. Made me appreciate it even more. Inside the dome it was very chilly. You definitely should bring a jacket if the weather is on the colder side. The tour lasted an hour (they needed to let the researchers get back to work) and was very informative. There are restrooms in the dome as well. They allowed photos to be taken and even encouraged it. If you are going to the observatory, I highly recommend spending the $5 for the tour. What a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon....a Sunday drive, breathtaking scenery, and learning something new. oh....and just be prepared, we didn't get cell service up there. It was nice to not be connected, but keep that in mind.

We took a trip up to the Palomar Observatory. I don't think that I have ever been here before. I just remember it from pictures. They have a nice museum that has a real 18 inch telescope that was used in the beginning of the 1900's to find asteroids. This was a scope used to take pictures only. They used a guide scope to find the area they wanted to take a picture of. Then they would hold the scope on a guide star and open up the shutter. More likely for about an hour photo. Then they would develop the film and observe it with a microscope. Because I am an amateur astronomer, I found all of this real interesting. They will let you into the observatory. However, you walk through a type of visitors area where they have lots of information about the telescope. From the visitors area, you can look through a gigantic glass window and see the whole scope. To see more, you can go on a tour. The tours this day were at 11:00am and 1:30pm. Unfortunately we missed the 11:00am tour and we had other things to do that day and could not go on the 1:30pm tour. We talked to two of the 11:00am volunteer tour guides and they told us that the tour brings you inside the telescope area and up to the upper catwalk of the telescope. One of the guides pointed out that they use various cameras to view through the scope. He told us to watch as one of the employees filled the camera chamber with liquid nitrogen. The camera is kept at a very cool temperature because electrons flow very easily at the cold temperature (think superconductivity). Because the electrons flow so easily, it makes the camera more light sensitive. This way they can see many distant nebulas and galaxies many light years away. The road going up here is very scenic. It is also windy (especially at the top). One persons car (not ours) was coming down as we were coming up and he was screeching his tires the whole way through a curve. So please be careful on these roads. The area around the scope has warning signs for rattlesnakes. Just stay on the trails and everyone will be just fine. There is also campgrounds along the way up here. We would like to try camping up here sometime. Except for the museum shop, there is really nothing else as far as places to shop. There are no food places up there. So be prepared to bring a lunch with you to eat at the picnic tables by the parking lot. It is beautiful there.

Rode in with a friend and took a walk around the property. Landscaping is clean but lacking refinement, but it's difficult not to love the surroundings. Trees, wildlife, open skies, and a giant freaking telescope! I can't say much about this observatory because it's quite small with little going on, but my goodness if the Hale telescope is not an amazing sight to see. Come up to the observatory and stretch your legs out around the grounds and don't forget to read the little tutorials in the welcome center. The view is hard to beat, even with a giant telescope in the way...though in my opinion, the Hale telescope adds to the scenery. =)

The star of the various telescopes here is the Hale 200 inch reflector. It is one of the largest of it's type in the world. You can see the telescope ( not view through it) in the gallery section of its dome. The location of the overall facility is beautiful, with small a pond where kids can fish, to large areas for walking and hiking. It is all free, no charge. We brought our own food and drinks in an cooler. The museum is very good, and the various other scopes are interesting. Docents were present. It was warm during the day, but it was getting chilly towards the evening, 42dgr.( we were here this past Sat.). At 5,500 feet, we were able to see Anza-Borrego Desert State Park way down below in the distance. Hale is one of the largest telescopes ever built. Mt. Wilson has a 100 inch and a 60 inch, and Griffith Park Observatory has a 12 inch refractor. All of the obvervatories have other various telescopes such as those devoted to the sun. You don't need astronomy as one of your hobbies to enjoy this place. Just being adventurous is enough.

The drive up here is unnerving when your husband neglects to gas up the car, and the nearest gas station is in Pala.... but other than that, I loved this place. Unfortunately for me, the inside of the dome was closed for a Friends of Palomar Observatory tour, but the two museums and the dome itself are worth the time to come out here. Also, if it's rained in San Diego, it was snowing up here... so dress warm and have a snow ball fight!

I have always really enjoyable trips here. There are trails near by in Cleveland national park. The actual observatory tour is fun and informative. The view from the observatory area is breathtaking. I recommend going soon while everything is still green and alive.

Lots of fun! I really enjoyed the tour, and I wish that it was a little bit longer. They told us that the interior of the observatory was chilled to anticipated nighttime temperatures, so it was really nice to enjoy the nice, cool temperature-controlled interior during the blistering summer heat. I wish that there was more to see in the science center/museum next to the gift shop, but it's still a nice place to check out before or after the tour. There's a cute picnic area near the visitor's parking lot, so pack a lunch (there are restaurants on the drive up if you forget, but I didn't see any places that sold food at the observatory). There's no cell reception up here, so I'd call ahead an check the website to make sure that they're still open (they're closing the observatory to the public for maintenance, but check back in a few weeks) and that the tours (when we went, there were late morning and early afternoon tours) haven't sold out for the day. I'd highly recommend this observatory to star-lovers and casual observers alike, as it's a lovely way to spend the day! P.S. I saw a sign that said that very small children (under 5) aren't allowed on tours--call ahead for age restrictions if you plan on bringing your kids.

Cool place...always wanted to see this since I was a kid but never found the time. Next time I'd actually like to see something if they have public shows... I didn't have a sports car but I WISH I had one - between the rice rockets, porsches, and a BUNCH of souped up Cadillac CTSV's...or some other FAST version of a Cadillac...I was major jealous.