Places for Stargazing in and around Los Angeles
It’s difficult to surpass the eastern California desert for a consistently clear sky with minimal light pollution. But those who live in urban Southern California can’t always just get in the car and go to the outback to watch a star.
Fortunately, dark skies and glittering stars can be seen in a few locations in and around Los Angeles. You can find breathtakingly magnificent opportunities to glance up and be delighted within a few hours of the city. And while some locations aren’t as dark as others, they’re still worth Best Places for Stargazing.
1. Griffith Park Observatory
Many people are familiar with Griffith Park Observatory from the scene in La La Land with all the stars. On a clear night, you can see many of the same stars from Griffith Park. Thanks to some incredibly powerful equipment. So you’ll be able to see stars and planets while perched high above the city lights of Los Angeles. Not only that, but you’ll get a great perspective of the city and be within sight of the Hollywood sign.
Except on Mondays, admission to the observatory and grounds is free and open until 10 p.m. There is a nominal fee to attend presentations in the planetarium. Best way to reach on Monday go with American Airlines Booking Flight Monday deals that help you to save your money and time.
2. Saddleback Butte State Park, Antelope Valley
Though its skies aren’t as dark as they were 20 years ago, with Lancaster and Palmdale slowly rising 15 miles west. Saddleback Butte State Park is still an excellent spot to Best Places for Stargazing oneself with the Milky Way and other dark sky beauties. The Park shuts for day use at sunset, but 50 campsites are open on a first-come, first-served basis, and the campsites give plenty of ideal areas to set up a Tent or just relax in a reclining chair with a pair of naked eyes.
3. Heritage Museum of Orange County
The H. Clay Kellogg House and the John Maag Farmhouse are located at the Heritage Museum of Orange County. Through hands-on, mind-on interactive education, the Heritage Museum of Orange County is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and restoring the heritage of Orange County and the surrounding region. This is one of the Places for Stargazing in and around Los Angeles for tourist.
Monthly introductory stargazing lessons are held at the Heritage Museum parking lots by the Orange County Astronomers. While it’s better to attend one of those events so you’re on the grounds with a group, this is where you’ll discover some of Orange County’s best dark skies.
4. Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu Creek State Park abounds in breathtaking 360-degree vistas of the celestial plane. With shrub-lined hills that buffer ambient light pollution and plenty of open grassy meadows. Stay to see the night deepen around the surrounding wilderness after a pink and gold Santa Monica Mountains sunset.
Despite the fact that the park closes at 10 p.m., there are plenty of parking sites from which to get a good view. Start from the higher parking area. Which is located above Malibu Creek and the park’s natural climbing wall, near the original foundation site of the former Crags Country Club.
5. Big Bear Solar Observatory
Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) is a university-run solar observatory in the United States. New Jersey Institute of Technology manages it (NJIT). The Goode Solar Telescope (GST) at BBSO has a 1.6-meter clean aperture and no obscuration in the optical train. BBSO is about 120 kilometers east of downtown Los Angeles. In the San Bernardino Mountains in southeastern San Bernardino County, California. The observatory’s telescopes and devices are specifically developed and used to investigate the Sun’s activities and phenomena. You may gaze out over the lake and enjoy pretty dark skies for stargazing.
6. Red Rock Canyon State Park
Red Rock Canyon is a great spot to view the night sky and related celestial objects. It is only a few miles from Las Vegas, yet it is nestled among dark mountains and starry skies.
The Conservation Area’s darkest places are south of the Visitor Center and the Scenic Drive, along State Route (SR) 160, commonly known as Blue Diamond Road. Cottonwood Valley and Late Night trailheads are located a few miles west of the SR 159 & SR 160 interchange on SR 160. There are dark, flat, broad parts of Red Rock Canyon, so provides wide-open views of the night sky. Before you go outside, check a sky chart or your favorite website to see which stars and planets are visible.
Off of SR 159, the First Creek and Oak Creek trailhead sites are also great. Near the Red Rock Campground, there are other stargazing chances along SR 159 and the Moenkopi Road.
7. Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is one of the top spots in the country and the world for stargazing. The Park is dark because it is located in the High Desert, 5000 feet above sea level. And far away from large cities that produce light pollution. The park’s east side is ideal for stargazing. Since the closest large city to the east is Phoenix, nearly 300 miles distant, there is relatively little light pollution from cities.
You’ll need to plan ahead of time if you want to have the best chance of viewing a billion stars. Check out the moon rise calendar below for the greatest view of the sky.
8. Borrego Springs in San Diego County
The Springs at Borrego RV Resort is a fantastic place to watch the stars. Borrego Springs is a designated Dark Sky Community. This means it safeguards the night sky, a valuable natural resource, from light pollution so that residents and visitors alike may enjoy the twinkling stars, moon, and Milky Way.
Borrego Springs is one of eight Dark Sky Communities throughout the world. But it is the first and only one in California. Must visit this place if you want to make your trip unforgettable so visit the Hawaiian Airlines Website and check out the best deal for you.
The Springs at Borrego now has its own astronomy park with shells and pads. Allows guests to see the night sky with their own telescopes or attend one of their special organized star parties. This is one of the best Places for Stargazing in and around Los Angeles.