Folsom Lake College Observatory also known as Cameron Park Observatory and Community Observatory right by Diamond Springs. A great place to watch the stars! Open every Fri, Sat, Sun night. Often hosted by astronomy students and professors from Folsom Lake College. You can bring your own telescope and join the star party. You can lay back on the small smooth concentric amphitheater seats that make it easy to view the stars. Astronomy docents point out stars with pointers. When open, there are two big telescopes that the public can look through. Best place to enjoy a social and fun astronomy night. Can be very busy during special events like meteor showers. read more

So much fun! Took my kid and her best friend and we all really enjoyed it (yes, even 16 year old girls). The volunteers were full of great information and were eager to share in a way that everyone could understand. I could have stayed looking through the telescopes all night, but alas people did want to go home :) There's no cost (except $2 for parking which is enforced by the college), but donations are appreciated (without pressure) I will definitely be going back! read more

Community Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Placerville, California

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Had the best time in October at the community observatory. The volunteers were friendly and helpful. Bring a red light flash light if you have mobility challenges and need to see more details of the ground when walking. Bright lights are not allowed. We explored the telescopes they had set up outside then within the walls are more, one hooked up to a TV to see more details. Loved the digital telescope that connected to the iPad. Then we went to the amphitheater that has concrete reclining benches and listened to a volunteer point out cool things and tell stories. For sure will come back! Bring warm clothes, something to sit on because the concrete was cold. $2 cash parking and a good walk to the area, well paved and lit for the walk. read more

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What an amazing experience! The docents were so kind and knowledgeable. It is a really, peaceful and special place. We saw Jupiter, the moon in detail, and had a star tour. A hidden gem. read more

Had an amazing experience viewing the stars with the help and guidance of the wonderful volunteers!

Great place near Sacramento to check out if you love learning about astronomy. Located in Folsom community college. There's a nice waking trial to the observatory. The professors there are very informative and passionate of teaching. They're open on specific time and day. It's best to check their calendar incase anything changes. read more

Make sure to call before you make the drive. Went during posted business hours and everything was closed. Even the posted hours on the locked gate said it should have been open when we were there. What a shame. Not giving up. Hopefully my next visit will be as good as these other reviews. read more

It's worth the drive to this hidden spot in the foothills! It's free! The workers are kind and knowledgable! You learn! You're one with the cosmos here at the Community Observatory. The space is small yet more than enough to get your fill of stars, planets, nebulas and deep space. I was able to make go three times this summer and it just never disappoints! Hands down to the workers who are patient with the crowds and all my lame questions about space that I probably should have learned in high school. I went tonight for the Super Blood Moon (8/27/2015). It was packed from the bottom of the hill up! Robin, a working volunteer, took time to explain where the moon would be positioned and also went and got me a chair. Also, he offered me water. What a guy! I'm sure he had a crowd to lead and teach, yet he took his time to answer my questions and guide me. Every worker here is like that. Their love for the cosmos is palpable. The view is spectacular. If you are coming from the city, like me, you'll be astonished under a blanket of stars. Do take binoculars, just so you can see how filled the sky is with itsy-bitsy stars everywhere. Be prepared to see planets up close through the telescopes and to learn, learn, learn. I can't say enough great things of the people and place. Thank you Community Observatory. I wish I could camp out on your hill. read more

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This beautiful spot is a hidden gem ALL nearby should get to and enjoy. Free visits allow you to see the nearby planets and stars and the docents are so enthusiastic and helpful. My wife and I visited on Friday for our anniversary. From the parking lot, it's a short walk up to where the observatory, the building, and the telescopes are set up. The sun sets much later this time of year, so we weren't able to catch anything until about 8:30p. If you're visiting, be sure to plan accordingly for darkness (meaning bring a sweater and if necessary, a flashlight or a light app for your phone). For the first time ever, my wife and I got to see Jupiter and Saturn. The 4 telescopes we used were all rather high-powered so we saw the planets with EXCELLENT detail, including 4 of Jupiter's moons. I can not wait to return. Even though our visit was short, the area is beautiful and the experience is worth the drive up from Sacramento. read more

Great warm night to see the stars so i went it's a cool place to go to gaze and look at the heavens... volunteers were awesome and knowledgeable. i'm a fan and will be going up there more often read more

I am happy that there's some place like this in Placerville. I enjoy what they have to offer. I would love to come one day late at night with blankets and just watch the stars. read more

Wonderful experience a must see when ur in the area..The two gentleman that explained it all were nice and made us laugh....luv it will go back again read more

Free admission! Learned a whole bunch about stars. Difficult to find at first but just keep driving straight when you enter the parking entrance. There will be a gate in the back with a sign. Park on the left side of the parking lot and walk towards the gate. There will be a light walkway leading to the building. Love how it's not crowded and how knowledgeable the folks are who maintain the site. Very romantic if you go with your significant other. Fun for kids who want to learn about the night sky! read more

This was a great and at the same time a chilling experience. I thought that I could step on to the moon and to see where new stars are being born. Awesome!! I saw Jupiter and all four moons, Venus and Mars not to mention all the millions of stars by them selfs. Great learning experience experience and it is FREE. Donations are excepted. Great for groups or family's or just your self. Open mostly Friday-Sunday 7:30 till 9:30 pm. They have special days they are open extended hours. Check the out. read more

Come out any (not very cloudy) weekend to gaze at the sky from the star theatre, check out some passing planets and star clusters, and learn some history and mythology from their wonderful volunteer docents. A great way to spend some time! read more

A must see for anyone in the area. I went to the observatory for the first time last semester (went with my Astronomy 300 class) and it was an incredible experience! The telescopes are like nothing I've ever seen before, I couldn't believe the detail I could see on the moon. I'd love to go again on a night when it isn't so packed. Normally it is not. read more

The volunteers here are wonderful people. Incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. You can tell they have a real passion for astronomy. Please bring your friends and family here for a free wonderful night of education and entertainment! They love answering questions and pointing out whatever you're looking for in the sky. Very kid (and adult) friendly. read more

Best two hours anyone can spend anywhere in El Dorado or Sacramento Counties

we went to the observatory on Sunday night. Be sure to bring $2 in quarters for parking. The machine eats dollar bills. This has nothing to do with the observatory but you have to pay to park in the college lot. If you're in the area, don't miss looking through the telescopes. You'll be glad you did. The staff are very passionate about the stars, the constellations, the telescopes and how they work. We even saw the space station go by! The staff deserves a lot of credit for their efforts. Thank you all for such a great time and all the good info. We'll be sure to drop in again. read more

This is a great place to see the stars! My 9-year old son has been wanting to see the stars so we took the hour trip from Sacramento along with two of his older cousins. We all enjoyed it so much! The docents were all very friendly, informative and patient. My son had a lot of questions and they took their time answering them. They also had several telescopes that enabled us to take glimpses of Saturn and Jupiters. It's small and I have seen more stars elsewhere, but it's free, and the people who work there seem to love and very passionate about astronomy. We'll go back there again! read more

Great night out for adults and kids. The staff give a presentation and guided tour of the constellations when they initially open in the evening. read more

It was a great experience! The place was clean. The volunteers were very helpful and enthusiastic. After my visit I'm a little concerned about the use of their laser pointers though But what a wonderful experience! Truly filled with wonder and awe at this marvelous universe! read more

Just went with my Meetup group and it was fantastic! The docents were very knowledgeable and we saw Jupiter, Betelgeuse and more. Plus the full moon rising topped it off. We will be back again and often. Fun for all ages. :) read more

It's free, it's educational, it's exciting! Run by volunteers full of passion, who will answer all your questions & your kids questions:-) fun to see the sky with the awesome telescopes they have. read more