Southern California is the perfect place to set up a telescope. The mountains are high enough and dry enough that the thin air and weather-free skies create very little haze, and though the forests are nice and dark, they are never too far from a university or research center in the city. 

Here are some of the biggest observatories in Southern California, as well as a few great stargazing spots for a more low-key adventure. 

12 observatories in Southern California

Moorpark College Observatory

Open to visitors: yes, with limitations

The Moorpark College Observatory is an astronomy lab for Moorpark College students and often hosts events for the surrounding community. It’s located on the Moorpark College campus and is run by both the college and the Ventura County Astronomical Society. 

The observatory offers public programs during exceptional celestial events, such as stargazing parties and lectures. It also has astronomy lab classes available every semester through the college. The observatory is equipped with 12" mirror telescopes and clock-driven larger telescopes, providing excellent viewing conditions for both students and the public!

Stony Ridge Observatory

Open to visitors: invited guests only

The Stony Ridge Observatory is located in the mountains of the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains. It was built in 1957 by and for amateur astronomers, and it’s home to one of the largest amateur telescopes in the United States!

This rural observatory features a 30-inch Newtonian-Cassegrain telescope which is used for a variety of astronomical observations, including planetary studies, deep-sky observations and astrophotography. The observatory is also equipped with a number of smaller telescopes and other astronomical equipment. In the 1960s, the observatory participated in a Lunar mapping project that helped the Apollo astronauts land on the moon!

Mount Wilson Observatory

Open to visitors: yes

The Mount Wilson Observatory is a historic astronomical observatory perched on the 5,715-foot peak of Mount Wilson in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles.

Founded in 1904 by astronomer George Ellery Hale, Mount Wilson Observatory has been a pioneer in astronomical research for over a century. It was once home to the two largest telescopes in the world, the 60-inch telescope completed in 1908 and the 100-inch Hooker telescope completed in 1917. 

The 100-inch Hooker telescope held the title of the world's largest telescope for 32 years, and it was used by Edwin Hubble to make groundbreaking observations that proved the existence of galaxies beyond our own Milky Way, changing the way we see and understand our universe and our place within it!

Pretty freaking neat, if you ask us.

In addition to Hubble's discovery of other galaxies, Mount Wilson Observatory has been the site of many other important astronomical discoveries, including the measurement of the distance to the stars, the composition of stars and the expansion of the universe. In addition to being an important historical and scientific landmark, it still remains an active research facility with many smaller telescopes still in operation. It also offers public tours and educational programs, allowing visitors to experience the wonder of astronomy firsthand in this incredibly special observatory!

Griffith Observatory

Open to visitors: yes

We all know Griffith Observatory as an iconic Los Angeles landmark, perched high above on Mount Hollywood and offering stunning sights of the Hollywood sign and the cityscape beyond. 

It’s also a very special place that was built exclusively for the public of Los Angeles, offering people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the wonders of astronomy without having to spend a dime. Not only is the observatory open in the evenings for stargazing, but there are events, lectures and exhibits and programs happening every day, too! 

Garvey Ranch Park Observatory

Open to visitors: yes

The Garvey Ranch Park Observatory is a hidden gem nestled in the hills of Monterey Park, California, offering a unique opportunity for stargazing and astronomical exploration. 

The observatory embraces and encourages public engagement. Every Wednesday evening from 7:30-10pm, the observatory opens its doors to anyone interested in gazing at the stars, and the Los Angeles Astronomical Society (LAAS) who runs it are always eager to share their knowledge about the night sky.

Visitors can participate in informative talks and workshops covering various astronomical topics like telescope building, astrophotography and the latest celestial discoveries. The observatory also boasts a workshop where volunteers build and maintain their telescopes, so there really is something for everyone here at this free public observatory!

Murillo Family Observatory

Open to visitors: only during designated visitor nights

The Murillo Family Observatory is a gem nestled within the California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) campus, offering a gateway to the cosmos for students and the general public. Located on Badger Hill in the northern part of the campus, it serves as both a teaching and research facility for students and a window to the cosmos for the general public.

The observatory boasts two impressive telescopes catering to different research and educational needs: a 20-inch Ritchey-Chretien telescope that provides sharp, high-resolution images for research projects, and a 17-inch Corrected Dall-Kirkham Astrograph that excels in capturing wide-field views of the night sky. 

While operating primarily within an academic and research capacity, the observatory also embraces its role as a community resource, hosting regular public visitor nights once a month during the academic year. These events offer the public a chance to gaze at the stars through the observatory's telescopes and learn about astronomy from knowledgeable volunteers.

N.A. Richardson Observatory & Science Museum

Open to visitors: yes

The N.A. Richardson Observatory & Science Museum is a fascinating duo nestled on the campus of San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC). It's not just an observatory; it's a historical landmark, a science museum and a real testament to the pursuit of knowledge.

Built in 1930, the observatory is the oldest building on the SBVC campus and was the brainchild of Noble Asa Richardson, the college's founder and an amateur astronomer. That same year, the observatory acquired a 16-inch Newtonian telescope (one of the largest at any junior college in the nation) that provided students and the public with a rare opportunity to gaze at the night sky. 

Over time, the observatory's focus shifted from active observations to education and preservation. The ground floor was converted into a science museum, showcasing a fascinating collection of vintage scientific equipment and artifacts ranging from astronomical equipment to old electrical devices, medical equipment and more!

Big Bear Solar Observatory

Open to visitors: not anymore (keep checking the website for updates, though)

This famous observatory is known for studying one star in particular: our sun! 

The Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) is a university-based solar observatory located on the north side of Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. It plays a crucial role in studying the Sun’s magnetic field and solar flares, both of which in turn affect the planetary bodies around it (like us, for example!).

Founded in 1969, BBSO has been a pioneer in solar observation for over five decades. Its location at high altitude and close proximity to a large body of water (Big Bear Lake) provides exceptionally clear skies and stable observing conditions, ideal for studying the Sun's ever-changing surface and activity.

Saddleback College Observatory

Open to visitors: yes

The Saddleback College Observatory is a shining gem in the heart of Mission Viejo, dedicated to nurturing curiosity and passion for astronomy in both students and the public alike. 

The observatory's crown jewels are definitely its telescopes. The primary telescope is a professional 16-inch f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (basically, it means it’s super powerful and very cool) mounted on a state-of-the-art Equatorial Mount. This powerful telescope provides stunning views of planets, galaxies, nebulae and other celestial wonders. Additionally, the observatory houses numerous 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes for student observations and an outdoor observation deck with powered piers for even more viewing opportunities.

All this means that when you attend one of their many public events, you get to see these high-tech pieces of equipment up close and personal! 

Palomar Observatory

Open to visitors: yes

The Palomar Observatory in California is a truly iconic landmark in the history of astronomy. Nestled in the Palomar Mountain Range near San Diego, it boasts a rich legacy of groundbreaking discoveries and continues to be an active research facility.

Opened in 1948 by the California Institute of Technology, Palomar Observatory quickly rose to prominence with the completion of the Hale Telescope, a behemoth of a telescope with a whopping 200-inch mirror. For over 30 years, it held the title of the largest optical telescope in the world, enabling groundbreaking discoveries like Edwin Hubble's observations of Cepheid variable stars, the identification of interstellar gas and dust clouds and the existence of quasars. 

In science-speak, that all means it’s giving us little humans a glimpse of objects in the universe that we never could have imagined seeing. 

While Palomar Observatory is primarily dedicated to research, it also welcomes the public to experience the wonders of astronomy through various programs and events like public tours, stargazing nights and educational programs. 

Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center

Open to visitors: yes

Tucked away in the middle of the desert south of Twentynine Palms, this small, volunteer-run observatory is a great place to go stargaze with your own telescope or to attend a stargazing event. Only one stargazing night is held per month (on the Saturday closest to the new moon), but attending it is well worth the wait!

Mount Laguna Observatory

Open to visitors: yes

Nestled in the serene Cleveland National Forest, roughly 45 miles east of San Diego, the Mount Laguna Observatory (MLO) serves as the crown jewel of San Diego State University's astronomy program. 

Situated far from urban areas, the MLO enjoys the benefits of a dark sky free from the interference of city lights — plus, its location at 6,100 feet above sea level provides a significant advantage: the thinner air reduces light pollution and atmospheric turbulence, allowing for sharper and more detailed observations. 

Astronomers at MLO study stellar evolution, galaxy formation, exoplanet exploration and interstellar dust, among many other topics. Astronomers and students utilize the three major telescopes all contribute to these studies, and the public is welcome to check them out at any one of their many public events, lectures and stargazing parties!

If you live in or near any of our Southern California apartments and are even marginally interested in astronomy, the stars or even a night out in the dark, then be sure to check out some of these observatories around Southern California! They really are out of this world…

Enjoy!

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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/Martin_Winkler_Fotografie