The Southern California light dome stretches from Orange County to Santa Barbara, but there are still great places to see the stars within easy driving range of LA.
There ’s a hacky fleck to be done here about the good stargazing in LA , but I ca n’t quite incur it . perchance something like : The closest you ’re going to get to the stars in LA is up in the San Gabriel Mountains . Or what about : leave a TMZ tour bus , the good way to see the stars in LA is through a telescope .
Nonsense aside , stargazing in either sense is n’t always easy in LA . Clear views of the night sky are common , but the light pollution from the LA basin elongate in a upstanding cylinder block from South Orange County all the way up to the northmost reaches of the Valley and over the mound into Oxnard , and it can be hard to escape even in the mountains surround the metropolis . But if you ’re willing to put in the effort , you’re able to still get a great opinion of the stars from here . There are lookout station and Rosa Parks aplenty , and with a minuscule work and a bit of driving , you may make it out to some truly sorry skies .
The path of totality for the 2024 Solar Eclipse in April may not foil the southland , but it ’s still a cracking reminder to take a minute and gaze in wonder at the grand scale of the cosmos . Here are the best places for stargazing in LA and Southern California . With this scout , you ’ll be seeing so many stars that your friends will callyou the paparazzi .
Flickr/Bureau of Land Management
Stargazing Spots In Los Angeles
Leo Carrillo State Beach
MalibuIt ’s not at any elevation to mouth of , but Leo Carrillo still fix a really lovely property to follow the stars . The tidepools and hilly cliffs of the beach furnish a gorgeous foreground , and it ’s easily approachable from the main road , so you may casually expend by on a absolved Nox to gaze out over the ocean . It ’s also extremely handily locate next to the fried seafood and craftiness beer at legendaryNeptune ’s Netso you’re able to make a whole evening out of it .
Malibu Creek State Park
MalibuThe other option in Malibu is to manoeuvre up into the J. J. Hill , a rare wild and low - light section in the swell LA arena . Face out toward the sea with your back to all of that urban sprawl for the best chance of good stargazing . The park closes at 10 pm , so in the summer , that sorting of limits your prison term , but if you ’re clear to an nightlong pleasure trip , tenting is your move — in the heart of the night , you could almost forget you ’re only a few miles from civilization .
Griffith Observatory
Griffith ParkThis is an obvious one , but it really is a good bet . The commons in the center of township is easily accessible from most of the city , and the famous observatory is opened until 10 post-mortem examination every day except Monday . There are often amateur groups posted up on the locoweed out in front so you could gossip with fellow astronomer , and their website has alist of reputable local clubsif you need to fall in up . It ’s not exactlydark sky certified , but it makes a fun and convenient place to gaze out across the coltsfoot .
Mount Wilson Observatory
Angeles CrestThe observatory is capable from early April through recent dusk , but it does come together at 5 postmortem even during the in use season . It ’s still one of the best stargazing experiences in the domain though — on a few nights each calendar month , they open up their monumental telescopes up to the public forticketed stargazing eventsin small-scale groups . The two telescope are 60 and 100 inches , severally , and are the two prominent telescopes in the earth that are dedicate to public wake — it ’s an expensive evening if you may even do to rent tickets , but it ’s a sincerely special goody for the cosmically fain . And if you ca n’t get slate , the drive up toward Mount Wilson along the Angeles Crest Highway is about as dark as you could get in LA county , with plenty of places to draw over and find a plot of land of well-defined sky .
Stargazing Spots Within Driving Distance of Los Angeles
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
San Diego CountyOne of the surest ways to see a gross ton of star from LA is to drive out into the desert . Just head east or southeast for a few minute , and the sky opens above you . of a sudden , there ’s a whole cosmos that did n’t seem to exist when you left . Anza Borrego is a gorgeous desert landscape painting , incredible forwildflowers in the springand stunning for year - round stargazing . The darkness is deep across the desert , so you ’ll have a moderately ideal view of the Milky Way and beyond from any encampment or getup you find , and even the small town of Borrego Springs does n’t give off too much faint contamination . Distance from LA:2 hours and 45 minutes
Mt. Pinos
Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory
Rancho MirageThe lights present some problems for aspiring stargazer in the immediate neighborhood ofPalm Springs , but luckily the Rancho Mirage Observatory is just a few short minutes down the road . The stylish figure - forward library and observation tower gives tours during the day , and they have regular drop - in open houses featuring professional uranologist and volunteer docent every Thursday and Saturday dark from 9 to 10:30 pm . Distance from LA:2 hours
Big Bear Lake
Big BearThe mountains are another solid pick to take to the woods the light pollution from the LA drainage area , andBig Bear is a great option . The fun mess town has solid food and plenty to do during the sidereal day , from skiing and sledding in the wintertime to watersports and hiking all summer , and then when the sun die down , it ’s about as dark as you’re able to get while staying within easy striking aloofness of a fine craft ale . Head to the quieter North Shore of the lake and stroll as far as you like up theWoodland TrailorCougar Crestfor your best scene . aloofness from LA:2 hours
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Santa BarbaraUp northerly along the slide , the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a capital stop for some daily stargazing on yourweekend getaway to Santa Barbara . The museum’sPalmer Observatoryhosts star parties on the second Saturday of every calendar month in partnership with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit . There are astronomers roaming the ground quick to chat , and the museum ’s jumbo 20 - inch scope is open for viewing from dusk until 10 pm . Then head out to one of the city’smany great restaurantsfor a later dinner — any excuse to guide up to Santa Barbara is a good one .
Two Harbors
Catalina IslandThe island of romance is just a short ferry ride out from the mainland , but it ’s far enough for much of the city ’s light defilement to pass away . It ’s tough to vamoose thefun thing to do in Avalon , but if you want the skillful scene of the nighttime sky you ’re better off heading up to Two Harbors , the much smaller village that ’s as much camping ground as it is Ithiel Town . confront away from the mainland to maximize your dark sky view , or rick back towards the LA drainage area to get some twinkling lights at ocean level in addition to the ones overhead .
Red Rock Canyon State Park
Mojave DesertThis one is a bit of a ride , but if you ’re looking for camping and hiking to go along with your stargazing it ’s hard to tucker Red Rock Canyon State Park . The parking area is gorgeous while the sun is up , with stunning crimson striations on the wall of every canyon , and after the sun sets the eyeshot of the nighttime sky are unmatched . The bivouac is first - come first - served , with no reservations and a fairly primitive setup , so verify you chequer the weather and amount prepared .
Amboy Crater
Mojave DesertIf you ’re head out for a day - to - night trip into the desert , Amboy Crater is a arresting sight . It ’s a National Natural Landmark , a 250 - high volcanic cinder cone that settle into almost unadulterated symmetry . you could hike around the cone ’s western edge and into the center of the caldera , and then climb up to the flange , which yields epic views of the desert landscape , including thewildflower bloomin early spring . After iniquity the stargazing is as spectacular , with very short wanton defilement and wide , unobstructed views of the cosmos . There ’s no overnight camping earmark , but there are other bivouac that dot the desert , and Barstow is only about an 60 minutes out .
Flickr/Will Fisher
Flickr/Bureau of Land Management
