Palomar Observatory
Palomar Observatory
4.5
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
About
Palomar Observatory, located atop Palomar Mountain in north San Diego County, California, is a center of astronomical research owned and operated by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Conceived of almost a hundred years ago, Palomar Observatory has been at the forefront of astronomical research since mid-century. The Observatory is a popular destination in Southern California and receives tens of thousands of visitors a year from all over the world. Whether you are an astronomy, history, or engineering enthusiast, or simply curious about the Observatory, you will enjoy visiting our museum and taking one of our guided tours of the facility. All are welcome at the Palomar Observatory, but we ask that all visitors respect our rules and procedures. Public, guided tours of the 200-inch (5.1-meter) Hale Telescope are available to visitors on the weekends, (at 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 2:00pm) typically from the first weekend in April to the last weekend October.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
157 reviews
Excellent
79
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61
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13
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stevel0923
San Diego, CA27 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
After seeing the PBS special "Journey to Palomar", I had to bring my family for a visit. The road up here was quite an experience with a number of bikers and bicyclist zooming up and down the switchbacks on the "Road to the Stars" (now called South Grade Rd.) Once we made it to the top at 6000 ft elevation, the scenary was quite beautiful with the dense forest and winding roads. We were also greeted by Mother's Kitchen on the top which is a hang out for all the bikers and bicyclist coming up here. At the Observatory itself, there was a nice picnic area near the parking area with plenty of shaded trees. There are basically two tours on weekend as well as special tours for pre-arranged groups. The docents were quite knowledeable about the history of the observatory and general astronomy. They were extremely friendly and love to share stories about the telescope. Most of them are members of the local astronomy club in the San Diego area.
My young children enjoyed seeing the enormous telescope in person having seen it first on PBS. All in all, it was a very enlightenting and educational tour for the family and I hope it will make a positive impression for my children when they study astronomy. A few recommendations I would make to enhance the trip up here. One, watch the PBS special to learn the history of the telescope. Two, don't come with expectations of this being a professionally run tourist sight like Griffith Park Observatory. This facility is operated by Cal Tech on a regular basis so it's a working laboratory without all the frills. It's science first, PR second. Third, bring a picnic lunch or prepare to eat at Mother's Kitchen nearby as it a long trip up here. Fourth, checkout Observatory campground nearby with lots of amatuer astronomer types who have set up their telescopes adjacent to their RVs. And fifth, don't use GPS directions to come up here as it may direct you come on a non-graded truck road. Use Palomar Observatory website for information on this. Enjoy!
My young children enjoyed seeing the enormous telescope in person having seen it first on PBS. All in all, it was a very enlightenting and educational tour for the family and I hope it will make a positive impression for my children when they study astronomy. A few recommendations I would make to enhance the trip up here. One, watch the PBS special to learn the history of the telescope. Two, don't come with expectations of this being a professionally run tourist sight like Griffith Park Observatory. This facility is operated by Cal Tech on a regular basis so it's a working laboratory without all the frills. It's science first, PR second. Third, bring a picnic lunch or prepare to eat at Mother's Kitchen nearby as it a long trip up here. Fourth, checkout Observatory campground nearby with lots of amatuer astronomer types who have set up their telescopes adjacent to their RVs. And fifth, don't use GPS directions to come up here as it may direct you come on a non-graded truck road. Use Palomar Observatory website for information on this. Enjoy!
Written July 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
etweeden
London, UK757 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
Palomar is 'above all' a research facility and is privately owned. It is also at about 5,600 feet altitude, so if you are affected by high altitude, be warned. And it is also in the middle of a National Forest, surrounded by wilderness and wild animals. Rattlesnakes in particular are present in this wilderness. Cellphones / mobile phones may not receive service on the mountain. Finally, there are significant challenges to accessibility, and in particular the 200-inch Hale telescope does not accommodate wheelchair bound visitors, who should contact the Gift Shop for tour details. This is home to what was the most powerful telescope in the world for decades, until more modern technology surpassed it. Still, at 200 inches in diameter, it is a significant astronomical research tool. The dome of the telescope has become iconic. Open from 9 am to 3 pm (standard) or 9 am to 4 pm (daylight savings time). Most tour this facility on their own, but there guided tours available on weekends (see below). This facility is temperature controlled to remain - night and day - at a level of 5,600 feet. Dress accordingly, in layers. It is about 100 steps from the parking lot to the Visitor Center/Gift Shop along the access ramp to the telescope dome. It is about 1000 feet further up the paved ramp to the dome itself. You will see signs very close to this ramp warning you to stay on the path! This will keep you away from 'rattlesnake territory'! Once inside the dome, be aware that there is a staircase up to the Visitor Gallery (70 steps). The 1-hour guided tours are on weekends at specific times (11 and 1:30) and available from early April through late October. Tickets are $5 (maximum 6 tickets per buyer), available at the Gift Shop (open at 10:15). Tickets are on a strictly first-come, first served basis. Getting here is not complicated. Take I-15 South or North to California 76 East. Pass through Pala, Pauma Valley and Rincon (around 23 miles) to Oak Knoll Campground, take California Road S-6 - South Grade Road - north, up Palomar Mountain. On the way up this road, there is a hard left turn as you go up, follow the signs. If you make the turn successfully, you will go by Mothers Kitchen Cafe and the Palomar Post Office on your left. If you pass the Palomar Volunteer Fire Department on your left you are going wrong, turn around and correct your direction. Take snacks and drinks, and make a picnic out of your visit. And please, please remember to clean up so as not to encourage wildlife to approach other visitors! Enjoy!
Written September 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimmyJackk
San Marcos, CA5,172 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Really cool and educational. Had entire observatory to ourselves. Got there about 10am on a Sunday and basically no one around. Well done and worth the trip.
Written March 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Born_Old
Washington DC, DC40 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
I am a physics teacher and decided to visit this famous telescope for my own sense of history and get photos for my students. However, the experience was so poorly designed that I really would not even advise my students to visit.
The good parts are that visits are free, they are open every day and there is a small exhibit showing some of the uses and breakthroughs achieved with the telescopes at Palomar.
The bad part is that it is difficult to see the telescope and impossible to take decent photos. The ironic part is that there is a section at the exhibit that explains light pollution and how it affects viewing from the telescope when trying to view a dark object with light in the background. However, that is exactly the way the visitor gallery is set up. The telesope is poorly lit but it is viewed from a well lit visitor gallery with glass in between. In a place where so much care is taken to ensure good observations it is a joke that they show such little care in setting up the visitor experience.
The good parts are that visits are free, they are open every day and there is a small exhibit showing some of the uses and breakthroughs achieved with the telescopes at Palomar.
The bad part is that it is difficult to see the telescope and impossible to take decent photos. The ironic part is that there is a section at the exhibit that explains light pollution and how it affects viewing from the telescope when trying to view a dark object with light in the background. However, that is exactly the way the visitor gallery is set up. The telesope is poorly lit but it is viewed from a well lit visitor gallery with glass in between. In a place where so much care is taken to ensure good observations it is a joke that they show such little care in setting up the visitor experience.
Written August 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I_of_Texas
Manvel, TX308 contributions
This was our first stop during our vacation trip to San Diego and was well worth it. We were going to be in the area for one Saturday. Check the observatory website for the Saturdays when docents offer tours of the telescope. You get to go inside with docents who are passionate about the observatory. Plan to get there early. There are only 25 spots for each of the two tours and they were both sold out before our tour group went in. There's a little museum and gift shop (which is also where you buy your tour tickets) that you can explore while waiting for the tour to go in. You can also walk around the grounds themselves. Inside, the docent shows how the telescope moves using a small model inside. They choose some of the kids in the group to be "junior telescope operators" to help demonstrate. My 7yr old daughter got picked and she loved it.
If you have any interest in space or are looking to expose your kids to science and the universe, you would do well to spend a half day and venture up the mountain to take a tour.
If you have any interest in space or are looking to expose your kids to science and the universe, you would do well to spend a half day and venture up the mountain to take a tour.
Written May 11, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thekansasgirl1
San Diego, CA84 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
Having never been there before, and my husband hadn't been there in over 20 years, we decided to add it to our Palomar Mountain getaway weekend. Very interesting place to visit. Once you park in the parking lot - which is free - its not a bad walk to the actual observatory. Stay on the path though and beware of rattle snakes that could be around. Signs state that. However there are lots of steps up into the actual observatory once you reach it. There is a separate entrance area for those needing mobility assistance.
Once you reach the top of the stairs you can view the actual telescope - of a massive size. A 200 inch Hale Telescope! Once the largest in the world. You can tour this 2 different ways. You can do a free self guided tour where you can view the telescope and surrounding area through a glass wall, read the various information signs, view some pictures, etc...or you can pay for a guided tour which actually allows you inside the floor area where the telescope is. A docent gives you the history of the telescope, etc.
Stop in the museum/gift store on the way out. The museum has a replica of the Hale Telescope and various galaxy pictures taken with the 200 Hale Telescope. Those were cool. There is a visitor book you can sign and also restrooms.
Once you reach the top of the stairs you can view the actual telescope - of a massive size. A 200 inch Hale Telescope! Once the largest in the world. You can tour this 2 different ways. You can do a free self guided tour where you can view the telescope and surrounding area through a glass wall, read the various information signs, view some pictures, etc...or you can pay for a guided tour which actually allows you inside the floor area where the telescope is. A docent gives you the history of the telescope, etc.
Stop in the museum/gift store on the way out. The museum has a replica of the Hale Telescope and various galaxy pictures taken with the 200 Hale Telescope. Those were cool. There is a visitor book you can sign and also restrooms.
Written September 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
N0str0m0
Jacksonville, FL100 contributions
Sep 2015 • Family
Two things make a visit to the Palomar Mountain Observatory neat: 1. The drive up the mountain is stunning, as you ascend from sunny, beachy San Diego to alpine Palomar replete with towering pine trees and spectacular vistas, 2. The observatory is amazing to behold and is mammoth in person. Inside you can see the telescope from behind a glass wall. There is a quaint and informative museum on the grounds. I have been twice and both times there were several other small groups there. It can be significantly colder atop this mointain, so bring a sweat shirt or jacket. Of note, no food in the area, so plan to go well before or arrive after lunch.
Written September 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip G
Solihull, UK7 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
You really need to ring the telephone number and check the recorded message if they are opening! We just looked at a local webcam - beautiful clear day, checked that there were no road closures and turned up to find they were 'closed due to bad weather'. OK there had been a flurry of snow and it was only 38f, but if our little rental car could get there with no problems I fail to see why the facility was closed.
Disappointing after travelling 8000 miles for a chance to see the telescope!!
Disappointing after travelling 8000 miles for a chance to see the telescope!!
Written January 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa B
San Diego, CA17 contributions
Go! First of all, the drive through the mountains is wonderful and the building itself is a work of art-deco beauty. We went on a Friday morning and it was quiet and mysterious, in a way. It's amazing to see such a machine and to realize that it was built in the 1930s and is still so important to the science. The grounds and the building are lovingly cared for - imaculate! My only disappointment was that several of the touch-screens were out of order or outdated. The museum in general needs an overhaul. Palomar is missing out on a great opportunity to educate the public about space exploration and its importance - this seems like a great way for the universities involved with the observatory to partner with the observatory to create a powerful museum and educational experience. But what the museum lacks in "wow-factor" is more than compensated or by the building, the telescopes, the machine itself and the wilderness around it.
Written June 12, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
413tim513
San Diego, CA123 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We visited on a Saturday morning and arrived right away. I don't believe our 11am tour sold out, but we bought our tickets right away and there were 26 people on our tour. While we were on the tour, the guides got a radio call at 11:55 call telling them the 1:30 tour had sold out. . . . so it sounds like if you want to visit on a weekend, it's best to arrive early.
I agree that you don't NEED the tour, because most of the information is printed on wall displays and admission is completely free and you can wander the museum and the outer area in the observatory. But you really SHOULD do the tour if you can. The docents did a great job explaining the history, explaining the science in digestible terms, and offering a lot of humor and perspective along the way.
The observatory is such a wonder and makes us appreciate the world and the amazing things that were done before our modern age of just throwing electronics at everything to solve problems.
The tour was great for our son (12 years old). I'm glad we went. There is also a nice picnic area nearby where we had a quick lunch, and then we headed over to see the Boucher fire lookout before heading home.
Phone coverage was minimal, and we rarely had a signal up there. . .
I agree that you don't NEED the tour, because most of the information is printed on wall displays and admission is completely free and you can wander the museum and the outer area in the observatory. But you really SHOULD do the tour if you can. The docents did a great job explaining the history, explaining the science in digestible terms, and offering a lot of humor and perspective along the way.
The observatory is such a wonder and makes us appreciate the world and the amazing things that were done before our modern age of just throwing electronics at everything to solve problems.
The tour was great for our son (12 years old). I'm glad we went. There is also a nice picnic area nearby where we had a quick lunch, and then we headed over to see the Boucher fire lookout before heading home.
Phone coverage was minimal, and we rarely had a signal up there. . .
Written August 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can the public view the cosmos at the observatory's telescope?
Palomar O
1 contribution
Unfortunately no. Our telescopes are for scientific research purposes and for decades have no longer had eyepieces. To look through telescopes we recommend visiting Griffith Observatory in LA.
Hi, is there a fee to go into the observatory?
sdmadeco
Region of Waterloo, Canada11 contributions
I did not pay to enter the observatory
Cindy & Jav
1 contribution
Will we be able to see what the telescope is looking at in real time? If so, how much time can we spend doing that?
Susan K
Lamy, NM23 contributions
The answer above is correct.There is no real-time viewing through telescope.
I might note that you can read about the research that is being done that month, and I found that information fascinating, just learning about how many countries sent research teams and what they were exploring.
miriamdklausner
Boston, MA
Are there docent led tours on weekdays in June?
If so, what time?
Hugh K
Silver Spring, MD390 contributions
I believe that, year-round, they offer their tours on weekends only. They do two of them per day and each tour is restricted to 20 or 30 people (30 according to our docents, but 20 according to the person who took the money for the tickets).
Irene H
Austin, TX6 contributions
Hello Gary G. I am interesting in visiting the Palomar Observatory, and would like to look through the telescope. I would love to see space close up, and though I have visited observatories before, I have never got to peek at the sky.
What day/time or occasion can I actually love through the telescope?
Thanks, So much
Irene
Palomar O
1 contribution
Hi Irene. I'm afraid you cannot. In fact, no one can look through it anymore since all eyepieces were removed decades ago. Hardly any research telescope allows anyone look through it (astronomers work behind computers since the invention of the CCDs). However, there are amateur groups in just about every city that will have star parties and allow the public to look through their telescopes.
tomladuke
Los Angeles, CA
My wife is 8 months pregnant . We would like to visit the observatory as a day trip from LA. Are there unusual risks that we can avoid? ie., Can palomar's altitude be a problem for your pregnant guests?
296pat
San Diego, CA21 contributions
I don't think so the only think that may be difficult is to climb up the observatory theres a lot of stairs to climb. But it is a nice area for walking around maybe check out the shop there.
Virginia R
Fort Collins, CO
Will the observatory have any planned closures this summer or fall? Don't want to miss that again.
Palomar O
1 contribution
To our knowledge, there are no major closures scheduled by the observatory (when we do, we post those on our website). However, the state is planning to begin roadwork on route 76 and Valley Center Road, which may affect travel to the observatory site.
Virginia R
Fort Collins, CO
We are planning a visit this summer , June or July. Palomar was closed when we arrived Sept. 2014 for painting/maintenance. Don't want to miss visiting again. Are there any planned closures this Summer or Fall ?
Palomar O
1 contribution
To our knowledge, there are no major closures scheduled by the observatory. However, the state is planning to begin roadwork on route 76 and Valley Center Road, which may affect travel to the observatory site.
irishneils
Temecula, CA
hours of operation in July 2016 and cost
Palomar O
1 contribution
With certain exceptions, Palomar Observatory is open to the public daily. These exceptions are for December 24 and 25 and for possible weather emergencies. While standard time is in effect, the Observatory is open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. During the months when daylight savings time is in effect, the Observatory is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please be aware that the visitor gates will be closed promptly at the times indicated.
Public, guided tours of the 200-inch (5.1-meter) Hale Telescope are available to visitors on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) spring through fall—typically from the first weekend in April to the last weekend October. The tours are roughly one hour long, and limited-availalbility tickets (sold exclusively on a day-of and first-come, first served basis) are required. Please plan accordingly.
Time and Location
Public Tour start times are 11:00 am and 1:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Please follow the signs from the Visitor Center to the tour meeting point. Tours start on the northwest side of the Hale Telescope dome (immediately to the left of the large service doors as viewed facing the dome from the west). To ensure you make your tour (and in consideration of others) please be on time.
Tickets
Public tour tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are sold in the Observatory Gift Shop in the Greenway Visitor Center the day of the tour. We cannot offer online or advance ticket sales. The Gift Shop opens at 10:15 am and tickets go on sale for all tours that day at that time.
Tickets are $5.00 per person, $3.00 for children (ages 5 through 12) and seniors (age 65 and over), maximum 6 tickets per customer. Tour presentations are unsuitable for children under 5 years of age, hence our minimum age requirement.
Please note that tours may be cancelled due to Observatory operations or available staffing. Check their website updates.
Wardieeee
Oxford, UK515 contributions
Hi
Is there any hotel accommodation within a short driving distance from the Observatory. I Am planning a trip and would be in the vicinity in late September. I am NOT into camping.
David
Vevey, Switzerland
Or you try the Valley View Casino & Hotel, that's about 30-40 minutes. Best though to rent a cottage for the weekend and combine with hiking. Take groceries, it's remote. Enjoy!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Palomar Observatory
- Hotels near Palomar Observatory:
- (2.53 mi) Bailey's on Palomar
- (8.10 mi) Harrah's Resort Southern California
- (3.33 mi) Spectacular view over San Diego County to Mt. Laguna, downtown, Catalina Island.
- (3.43 mi) Perfect Palomar Mountain Getaway - Little Red
- (5.62 mi) La Jolla Indian Campground
- Restaurants near Palomar Observatory:
- (8.10 mi) The Cafe
- (2.54 mi) Mother's Kitchen
- (8.18 mi) 'Ritas Cantina
- (7.43 mi) El Rey
- (8.14 mi) Earl of Sandwich
- Attractions near Palomar Observatory:
- (5.92 mi) La Jolla Zip Zoom Zipline
- (2.68 mi) Palomar Mountain State Park
- (8.07 mi) Harrah's Resort Southern California
- (2.83 mi) Boucher Hill Fire Lookout Tower
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