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
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
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Palomar Observatory and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
6 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
160 reviews
Excellent
80
Very good
61
Average
14
Poor
4
Terrible
1
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Oulisse
Potsdam, Germany923 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
In November, a visit in sunshine and blue skies and at 14 degrees already requires warm clothing: A cold wind blows and the fire brigade patrols the serpentines due to the constant danger of forest fire. The large parking lot is free of charge and signs warn of rattlesnakes, but are certainly not very mobile in the low temperatures. Initiated by Hale and funded by the Rockefellers, the observatory is a respectable building, but does not allow access (not barrier-free) to the mechanics and pipes with mirrors. Behind glass, the visitor gets a view, and posters and models explain technology and principle. A mirror measuring about 5m was a technical highlight during construction, the telescope was the largest in the world until 1975 (it is still mounted equatorially today). A small shop with a museum touch tells more about the history of the place. There are no catering facilities in this area, visitors should get picnics and drinks long before the ascent (about 1700m high). The approach offers views and hiking trails, campground with toilet and showers available.
Automatically translated
Written 11 November 2024
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.
Dina F
El Segundo, CA100 contributions
June 2023
We went for Father's Day and my husband and three sons loved it. The drive up there is beautiful and everything you learn there is fascinating. They have guided tours as well as self-guided tours. Both very well done. We enjoyed our visit. You might want to bring a snack, depending upon where you are starting. It is quite a drive to get up there, and then if you really get caught up in learning everything you can up there, it can take a while. I recommend a visit.
Written 19 June 2023
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.
Stephanie C
Brooklyn Park, MN188 contributions
June 2024 • Family
This is a "skip it" for your family vacation. It's about a 2-hour drive from San Diego up a very winding mountain road....and the views from the road are the highlight! Once you get to the observatory, there's not much to see. The observatory itself is rather small and boring. There is a museum and gift shop, but again, small and boring. There is a picnic area that is well shaded, but there are no fabulous views that we could see from the top! Unless you're able to go at night for a special viewing event, there is no point in driving all that way.
Written 6 July 2024
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.
stevel0923
San Diego, CA23 contributions
July 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 23 July 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, UK749 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 19 September 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, CA5,732 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 18 March 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, DC37 contributions
July 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 1 August 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, TX313 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 11 May 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, CA78 contributions
Sept 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 28 September 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, FL93 contributions
Sept 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 2 September 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.
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.
Written 9 July 2021
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?
Written 9 May 2019
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.
Written 9 May 2019
miriamdklausner
Boston, Massachusetts
Are there docent led tours on weekdays in June?
If so, what time?
Written 10 May 2018
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).
Written 13 May 2018
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
Written 17 October 2017
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.
Written 27 November 2017
tomladuke
Los Angeles, California
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?
Written 29 April 2017
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.
Written 14 October 2017
Virginia R
Fort Collins, Colorado
Will the observatory have any planned closures this summer or fall? Don't want to miss that again.
Written 11 February 2017
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.
Written 1 May 2017
Virginia R
Fort Collins, Colorado
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 ?
Written 11 February 2017
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.
Written 1 May 2017
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.
Written 1 August 2016
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.
Written 6 April 2016
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!
Written 7 April 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 12
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing