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    San Diego Astronomy Association

    5.0 (2 reviews)

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    Mount Laguna Observatory - SDSU property

    Mount Laguna Observatory

    4.8(5 reviews)
    16.6 mi

    W always stop here when we visit Mount Laguna, It has a nice parking lot which is never full. Lots…read moreof trails for hikers, bikers and horses. If you walk up through the observatory there is an incredible viewpoint where you can see for miles.

    We came up here recently overnight and I hadn't been in years. When I used to come out this way for…read morework I enjoyed coming up to Mount Laguna. I have to say it's still incredibly beautiful in the evening, watching the sunset. It's definitely one of the best views around and getting a chance to see the stars so brilliantly is a must as the pollution is more limited up there, making for clearer skies. The elevation is obviously higher, so dress in layers. I didn't drive up here this time, which was really nice, I had the chance to catch up on my sleep. It's not that bad of a drive though. We stayed nearby overnight, but it's worth the drive either way imo. There aren't that many places like this, especially in underdeveloped areas. The Pine House Cafe & Tavern is nearby on the Sunrise Highway if you get hungry afterwards. Be forewarned there's a bit of a walk to the top of the road from the visitor parking lot to the visitor's center. Adjacent to the visitor's center are the two apartments for visiting astronomers, a lecture hall, a kitchen for public gatherings, and the museum/gift shop. The Mount Laguna Observatory is owned and operated by SDSU under permit from the Cleveland National Forest. It's not unusual to see SDSU or local community college students here working on research projects or school activities. They do have a dedicated visitor's telescope and deck for public viewing. There are other telescope domes that are not available to the general public, but if you're willing to get a graduate degree in astronomy from SDSU I'm guessing you can get in there..

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    Mount Laguna Observatory - I miss you

    I miss you

    Mount Laguna Observatory
    Mount Laguna Observatory

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    The Observatory North Park - Performance Stage

    The Observatory North Park

    3.2(686 reviews)
    47.3 miNorth Park
    $$

    A great venue. The interior architecture is phenomenal. Sound quality is very good…read more The floor is slightly slanted upward toward the back. There are little sections separated by railings, which add a little separation. We paid for the VIP up top (not the four-top tables). We could choose to sit on a counter/bar stool with a thin-line bar top. But, it was farther back and you looked down at the people in front of you. So we moved to the right side in a standing section. The best! On the rail. Had a table to set drinks on. Private bathroom for upper level guests. Way worth it. One thing I wish they did was sell the 4-tops in twos. They are great. It, it's not always easy getting four people together for a show. Oh. Parking is a breeze. Structure across the way validates for concerts.

    I went to the Heated Rivalry Rave and I can say that was such a fun event…read more Purchasing tickets online was really easy and getting in was fast and efficient, I felt like everyone was working together to make it safe and easy. The venue itself is really huge, I've been for a couple podcast tours but it was always seated so getting to come where there was open floor was fun. Lots of space for dancing and letting our little hearts live in the music. Would totally come back or another event here!

    Photos
    The Observatory North Park - VIP bar on the second floor. You can order food from the West Coast Tavern menu here.

    VIP bar on the second floor. You can order food from the West Coast Tavern menu here.

    The Observatory North Park - Inside

    Inside

    The Observatory North Park - Waiting for the show

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    Waiting for the show

    Palomar Observatory - The Hale Telescope from the south

    Palomar Observatory

    4.2(65 reviews)
    59.8 mi

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

    Yesterday (March 18th, 2025) we made the drive up to Mt. Palomar Observatory, something my…read more93-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.

    Photos
    Palomar Observatory - Museum interior

    Museum interior

    Palomar Observatory - Very informative and answered all your questions...

    Very informative and answered all your questions...

    Palomar Observatory - Well done...

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    Well done...

    San Diego Astronomy Association - observatories - Updated June 2026

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