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Clear Sky Charts
in California

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Starry Kingdom Observatory
 
A private observatory in Laytonville.
AVAC Kings Canyon Site
 
Observing site of The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club.
Afton Canyon Campground
 
campground near Interstate 15 along the Mojave River between Barstow and Baker.
Alpine
 
Amboy Crater
 
Centered on the parking lot of Amboy Crater, a public nature site near the town of Amboy.
Anaheim
 
Angelus Oaks Heliport
 
Angwin
 
Area 52 Observatory
 
A private observatory near Ventura.
Arroyo Grande
 
Arthur Purcell Observatory
 
Observatory of the Tulare Astronomical Association.
This chart is sponsored.Atascadero
 
Auburn
 
Forecast also covers the Auburn State Recreation Area
Automata Internet Observatory
 
In Pearblossom.
BREIT IDEAS Observatory
 
A private observatory in Outside Morgan Hil.
Bakersfield
 
Home of the Kern Astronomical Society.
Banning
 
Baskin Engineering Observatory
 
An observatory of the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Bateson Observatory
 
A private observatory near Susanville .
Bayt Observatory
 
A private observatory near Coarsegold.
Big Bear City
 
In the San Bernardino Mountains
Big Bear Solar Observatory
 
Aka BBSO. Solar Observatory operated by the New Jersey Institute of Technology. On Big Bear Lake.
Big Bird Observatory
 
A private observatory near Paradise.
Big Falls Campground
 
A campground near Forest Falls.
Big Meadow
 
Observing site used by the Tulare Astronomical Association and the .
Bishop Observatory
 
A private observatory north of Bishop.
Black Mountain Observatory
 
A site of a future private observatory near Hornbrook.
This chart is sponsored.Blackrock Ranger Station
 
This chart is sponsored.Blue Canyon
 
Airport site used by the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society and members of TAC-SAC.
Blue Ridge
 
The general area of Blue Ridge, in the Vaca Mountains.
Blythe
 
Home of the Colorado River Astronomy Club.
Bodie
 
Bonny Doon Airfield
 
A site used by the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club.
Bowen Observatory
 
Observatory of Cuesta College.
Bransfield Observatory
 
A private observatory somewhere in the vicinity of Piedmont.
Brentwood
 
Forecast also covers Byran and Oakley.
Bridgeport Lake Private Observatory
 
A private observatory in Bridgeport Valley.
This chart is sponsored.Bright Skies Observatory
 
A private observatory to promote the science and technology of CCD based astro-photography in light polluted areas.
Buena Vista Observatory
 
A private observatory.
CSM Observatory
 
Observatory of the astronomy department of College of San Mateo.
Cabrillo College Observatory
 
Observatory of Cabrillo College.
Cal Poly Observatory
 
Observatory of California Polytechnic State University. Near San Luis Obispo.
Calabasas
 
California City
 
This chart is sponsored.California High Desert Astrophysical Observatory
 
A private observatory near Apple Valley.
Cameron Park Rotary Club Community Observatory
 
A community observatory built and operated by the Rotary Club of Cameron Park, the El Dorado County Office of Education, and Folsom Lake College. In El Dorado County.
Camp Rock Road
 
10 miles north east of Lucerne Valley.
Canebrake
 
7 miles east of Onyx. In the Kern valley.
Carlos Lemmi Observatory
 
A private observatory near Rancho Palos Verdes. MPC G71.
Carrizo Plain National Monument
 
Centered on KCL Campground, this chart covers most of Carrizo Plain National Monument. Near Taft.
Castro Valley
 
Cedar Glen Observatory
 
(A private observatory near Cedar Glen.
Cerro Alto Campground
 
Campground 8 miles from Morro Bay
This chart is sponsored.Chabot Space and Science Center
 
A science center home to the Eastbay Astronomical Society. In Oakland.
Chico Community Observatory
 
A community observatory in Upper Bidwell Park.
China Lake SV
 
Site available to authorized personnel only.
Chuchupate Ranger Station
 
Members of the Kern Astronomical Society observe nearby.
This chart is sponsored.Cima
 
A site used by the Astronomical Society of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Astronomical Group of Las Vegas. In the Mojave National Preserve.
Clear Lake
 
Covers the Clear Lake area inclunding Boggs Mountain State Forest.
Coarsegold
 
Cobb Mountain Observatory
 
A private observatory near Cobb.
Coma Via Observatory
 
An observatory near Springville.
Concord Observatory
 
A private observatory in Concord.
Conway Summit
 
A dark site 12 miles north of Lee Vinning in Mono County.
Copper Mountain Observatory
 
Near the town of Joshua Tree which is near the north east corner of Joshua Tree National Park.
Corona
 
Cottonwood Spring Campground
 
A campground at Joshua Tree National Park.
Courtright Reservoir
 
Observing site used by the Central Valley Astronomers
This chart is sponsored.Cow Canyon Saddle
 
A spot in Cow Canyon, near Mt. Baldy, used as an observing and star party location by the Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers.
Coyote Lake
 
A county park used by members of the SJAA and TAC.Near Gilroy.
Crestview
 
A hill site near Crestview, a few miles north-west of Mammoth Lakes in Inyo National Forest.
Cuesta College - North County Campus
 
A campus of Cuesta College. Site of star parties held by the Central Coast Astronomical Society.
D.A.R.C. Observatory
 
A private observatory near Mercy Hot Springs.
DVHS Espace Academy
 
ESpace Academy, part of Deer Valley High School In Antioch.
Daniel B. Milliken Planetarium
 
Planetarium at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga.
Del Mar
 
Del Valle
 
Site details.
This chart is sponsored.Desert Center
 
A spot on Hwy 177 North of Interstate 10. On the west side of Palen Pass.
Diablo Valley College
 
College near Concord.
Dinosaur Point
 
A site used by SJAA and TAC
EAFB
 
Edwards Air Force Base is an alternate shuttle landing site. Also home of the Dryden Flight Research Center.
Eagle Ridge Observatory
 
A private observatory near Newbury Park.
El Cajon
 
El Centro
 
Elk Grove
 
Used for public star parties by the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Association (SVAS).
This chart is sponsored.Erickson Observatory Site
 
Future site of Erickson Observatory (private). In Warner Springs.
Esparto
 
Site used by the Davis Astronomers.
Etna
 
Ewell Observatory
 
Far Away Observatory
 
A private observatory in Valley Center.
Fickle Hill Observatory
 
Observatory of Humboldt State University. Near Arcata.
Fiddletown
 
A site about 6 miles east of Fiddletown proper.
Figueroa Lookout
 
A picnic area in Los Padres National Forest.
Folsom Lake State Recration Area
 
State recreation area norteast of Sacramento. Chart also covers the towns of Roseville and Folsom.
Foothill Observatory
 
Observatory of Foothill College. Used by the Peninsula Astronomical Society for public programs. In Los Altos Hills.
Foresthill
 
Fossil Falls
 
In Owens valley.
Fountain Valley
 
Near Santa Ana.
This chart is sponsored.Fremont
 
The town in Alameda country.
Fremont Peak
 
A site used by SJAA and TAC. Home of the Fremont Peak Observatory.
Fresno
 
Home of the Central Valley Astronomers.
Furnace Creek
 
A site used by the Astronomical Society of Nevada, Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Astronomical Society and the Astronomical Group of Las Vegas. Near Death Valley.
Galbreath Wildlands Preserve
 
Wildlife preserve of Sonoma State University.
Garvey Ranch Observatory
 
Observatory in Garvey Ranch Park in the city of Monterey Park.") Operated by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society.
Glacier Point
 
A site of public star parties. In Yosemite National Park.
Golden State Star Party
 
The GSSP is a star party held by the The Astronomy Connection(TAC). Near Adin.
Grandview Campground
 
A dark sky campground. In the White-Inyo Mountains in Big Pine.
Grasswood Observatory
 
A private observatory near Malibu.
Greeley Hill Observatory
 
A private observatory near Coulterville.
Green Acres Observatory
 
A private observatory.
This chart is sponsored.Griffith Observatory
 
A professional observatory with public star parties
Half Moon Bay
 
Halloran Summit
 
Henry Coe State Park
 
A site used by SJAA and TAC
Hensley Lake
 
Regular observing site of the Central Valley Astronomers.
Hidden Hill Observatory
 
Observatory of the Tri-Valley Stargazers
Hidden Valley Observatory
 
A private observatory near Soquel.
High Sierra Park
 
In the Stanislaus National Forest near Mi-Wuk Village.
Hole-in-the-Wall Campground
 
Campground in the Mojave desert.
Hume Observatory
 
Managed by the California Academy of Sciences and home of GORT (Gamma-ray Optical Robotic Telescope) of the GAST Telescope Network.
This chart is sponsored.Huntington Beach
 
Hyampom
 
Ice House Observation Plateau
 
IHOP is an observing site use by members of TAC-SAC.
Idyllwild
 
Indian Valley Observatory
 
A private observatory near Lucerne.
This chart is sponsored.Irvine Regional Park
 
A park in Orange county.
Jumbo Rocks
 
A campground in Joshua Tree National Park.
Keeton Observing Site
 
A private observing site also used by some members of the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
This chart is sponsored.Kennedy Meadows
 
In Sequoia National Forest.
Laguna Beach
 
Laguna Niguel
 
Lake Almanor
 
Lake Elsinore
 
This chart is sponsored.Lake Riverside Estates
 
A private community in Aguanga.
Lake San Antonio
 
A site used by SJAA and TAC
This chart is sponsored.Lake Shastina
 
About 17 miles north of Mt. Shasta.
This chart is sponsored.Lake Sonoma
 
A site used by TAC
Lancaster
 
Landers
 
Dark-sky site for the Riverside Astronomical Society.
Lassen National Park
 
Two sites used by TAC: Devastated Area and Bumpass Hell. No, really. I'm not making this up.
Lava Beds National Monument
 
National monument
Lawrence Hall of Science
 
A public and school science center of the University of California at Berkeley.
Lee DaSilva Observatory
 
A private observatory near Madera.
Limekiln State Park
 
State park near Big Sur. Forcast also covers the lookout tower at Cone Peak.
Little Blair Valley
 
Site used by Oceanside Photo & Telescope Astronomical Society
Livermore
 
Home of the Tri-Valley Stargazers astronomy club. Forecast also covers Pleasanton.
Lockwood Valley
 
Lodi
 
Long Beach
 
Los Angeles
 
Home of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society and the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers.
Lost Valley Observatory
 
A private observatory between Yosemite and Kings Canyon in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Luz Observatory
 
Observatory in the Lewis Center for Educational Research. Base of the HiDAS. In Apple Valley.
MIRA Chews Ridge Observatory
 
Observatory of the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy.
Machholz Observatory
 
A private observatory near Colfax.
Mais Obervatory
 
A private spectroscopic observatory in Valley Center.
Mammoth Observatory
 
A private observatory near Mammoth Lakes.
This chart is sponsored.Mar Vista
 
Martis Creek Campground
 
A site used by the Astronomical Society of Nevada.
McKinney Creek Observatory
 
A private observatory.
Mendocino
 
Mendota Wildlife Area
 
A wildlife area a few files north-east of Tranquillity.
Mesquite Springs
 
In Death Valley. A site used by the Astronomical Society of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Astronomical Group of Las Vegas.
This chart is sponsored.Mission Trails Regional Park
 
Centered on Kumeyaay Campground in Mission Trails Regional Park. Site of public star parties held by the San Diego Astronomy Association.
Modesto
 
Home of the of Stanislaus Amateur Astronomers of Modesto Jr. College.
Monitor Pass
 
This chart is sponsored.Monrovia
 
Centered on Library Park, this chart marks the site of public observing held by the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers.
Montebello
 
Montebello Open Space Preserve is a site used by TAC
Moreno Valley
 
Morgan Hill
 
Mount Diablo
 
Home of the Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society.
Mount Hamilton
 
Home of the Lick Observatory.
Mount Laguna Observatory
 
link.
This chart is sponsored.Mount Pinos
 
A site in Los Padres National Forest
This chart is sponsored.Mount Tamalpais State Park
 
A site used by the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers.
This chart is sponsored.Mount Wilson Observatory
 
link
This chart is sponsored.Mountain High Observatory
 
A private observatory in Julian.
Mt. Shasta Forest
 
This chart is centered on a private observing site, in a private development, on the SE slope of Mt. Shasta, called Mt. Shasta Forest (close to, but not related to Shasta National Forest). The site is available for public use by appointment. Near McCloud.
Musser Hill Observatory
 
A private observatory near Weaverville.
Napa
 
Navajo Flats
 
A site used by the Central Coast Astronomical Society
Nevada City
 
This chart is sponsored.OCA Anza Observatory
 
Observatory of the Orange Country Astronomers near Anza.
OCA Go-To Group
 
A private observing site in Placentia, used by some members of the Orange County Astronomers.
OCA Silverado
 
A site of the Orange Country Astronomers near Irvine.
This chart is sponsored.OPT Parking Lot
 
Parking lot of a telescope retailer which is site of public observing. In Oceanside.
Oak Hills Observatory
 
A private observatory in Hesperia.
This chart is sponsored.Oak Ridge Observatory
 
Observatory of the Peninsula Astronomical Society, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Oakland
 
Occidental Observatory
 
Near Occidental.
Ojai
 
This chart is sponsored.Old Town Pasadena
 
Centered Colorado Blvd, somewhere between Fair Oaks and Pasadena Ave, this charts marks the site of public observing held by the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers.
Owl Canyon Campground
 
Home of a star party and messier marathon held by the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers. Near Barstow.
Pacheco State Park
 
A state park used as a dark sky site.
Pacifica
 
This chart is sponsored.Palomar Observatory
 
link
Panamint Springs
 
The best place to observe is the campground.
Panoche Pass
 
PapaTom's Cosmos Research Center
 
The Galactic Headquaters of PTCRC. A children's science site, on private land. Somewhere around Encinitas.
Paradise
 
Pauma Valley
 
Site of The Kathryn Hood Observatory.
Paynes Creek Wetlands
 
Trail system and picnic area.
This chart is sponsored.Pedlar Hill
 
A site used by the Stockton Astronomical Society.
Penn Valley
 
Penryn
 
Phelan
 
Pine Flat Observatory
 
A private observatory near California Hot Springs.
Pinhead Observatory
 
A private observatory in Acton.
Pinon Hills
 
Near Wrightwood in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Plettstone
 
Home of the Dale Jay Steed Observatory, a private observatory. A site used by members of TAC and the SJAA. Near Mariposa.
Poinsettia Observatory
 
A private observatory in Poway.
Porterville
 
Putah Creek Observatory
 
Future site of a private observatory in Pope Valley.
RTMC
 
Riverside Telescope Makers Conference. A starparty and swaptable feeding frenzy held at Camp Oaks.
Ramona Observatory
 
A private observatory near Ramona.
This chart is sponsored.Rancho Del Sol Observatory
 
A private observatory near Camino.
Red Rock Canyon State Park
 
A state park used by local clubs for star parties.
Redondo Beach
 
In the general area of the South Bay Astronomical Society.
Redrock Inyokern Road
 
Used by the South Bay Astronomical Society.
Rescue Observatory
 
A private observatory in the area of Rescue.
Ridgecrest
 
Robert Brownlee Observatory
 
An observatory of the Mountain Skies Astronomical Society. At MSAS Astronomy Village near Lake Arrowhead.
Robert Ferguson Observatory
 
Observatory in Sugar Loaf Ridge State Park near Kenwood.
Robinson Creek Observatory
 
A private observatory in Robinson Creek,west of Ukiah.
Rock Hill Observatory
 
A private observatory in Grass Valley.
Rock Mountain Observatory
 
A private observatory near Fallbrook.
Rose Valley Campground
 
A campground in Los Padres National Forest.
Ross Creek Observatory
 
A private observatory in San Jose.
Sacramento
 
Home of the Sacrameto Valley Astronomical Association and TAC-SAC.
Saddleback Butte
 
A State Park used as a star party site by The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club.
Saint Mary's College Observatory
 
AKA SMC Campus Observatory. Observatory of Saint Mary's College .
San Bernardino County Museum
 
Museum and meeting place, with public astronomy of the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers. In Redlands.
San Clemente
 
San Clemente Island (North)
 
Chart covers the north half of San Clamente Island.
This chart is sponsored.San Diego
 
Home of the San Diego Astronomy Association.
This chart is sponsored.San Francisco
 
Home of the San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers and the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers.
San Francisco State University Observatory
 
Observatory of SFSU at Thornton Hall.
San Jose
 
Home of the San Jose Astronomical Association.
San Mateo
 
San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park
 
State park and site of of monthly star parties.
San Rafael
 
A site used by the used by the Marin Observers.
Sandstone Trailhead
 
Head of the Standstone Peak Trail. Used by members of the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers among others.
Santa Barbara
 
Home of The Astronomical Unit club.
Santa Clarita
 
Santa Margarita Lake
 
A site in Santa Margarita Lake Regional Park used by the Central Coast Astronomcal Society.
Santa Maria
 
In Santa Barbara county.
This chart is sponsored.Santa Monica Canyon Observatory
 
A private observatory.
Santa Monica Mountains Observatory
 
A private observatory near Los Angeles.
Santa Paula
 
A site used by the Southern California Observers.
Santa Rosa
 
Santa Rosa Mountain
 
Centered on the trail to the summit. Also close to Santa Rosa Campground.
Santa Teresa Spring
 
This chart is sponsored.Santaluz Observatory
 
Observatory in Santaluz Club.
Saratoga
 
Sawmill Trailhead
 
A site used by the Astronomical Society of the Desert. Near Pinyon Flats
Schoonover Park
 
Park, and neighborhood, in the town of Marina.
Schreder Planetarium
 
A planetarium with public observing sessions. In Redding.
Sea Ranch
 
A private ranch near Gualala.
Selkovitch's Observatory
 
Shaver Lake
 
This chart is sponsored.Shingletown
 
Airport site used by TAC-Shasta and occaisonally by TAC-SAC. Home of the Shingletown Star Party .
This chart is sponsored.Sierra Remote Observatories
 
A group of observatories in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, dedicated to state-of-the-art robotic/remote imaging and data acquisition.
This chart is sponsored.Sierra Stars Observatory
 
A private observatory near Paynesville.
Silverwood Lake
 
A site used by the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers. Actually near the south-east shore of the lake. Forecast also covers the Silverwood lake State Recreation Area.
Simi Valley
 
Home of the Ventura County Astronomical Society.
SkyScapes Observatory
 
A private observatory in Borrego Springs.
This chart is sponsored.Sonoma
 
Sonoma State University Observatory
 
observatory in Sonoma State University. Near Rohnert Park and Cotati
Sonrisa Observatory
 
A private observatory near Escondido.
South Fork Observatory
 
A private observatory near Three Rivers.
Stanford
 
Star Home Observatory
 
A site of the Tule River Amateur Astronomers. Near Springville.
Stockton
 
This chart is sponsored.Stony Ridge Observatory
 
An observatory in the Angeles National Forest
Table Mountain Observatory
 
Observatory at Table Mountain Facility which is operated by JPL. Near Wrightwood.
Taylor Observatory
 
A community Observatory in Ke