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Lick Observatory

4.3 (159 reviews)
Closed 12:00 pm - 5:00 PM

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Telescope viewing passes
Annabelle R.

Attended the Music of the Spheres event this past Saturday with the White Album Ensemble Chamber Orchestra performing an hour long show for a medium-sized audience. The setup and sound system for the musical performance was less than ideal, but the musicians were decent, lovely sounds of the keyboard, bass, and violin being played on a makeshift stage. Among the various tunes, a medley of music by the Beatles, including In my Life, Across the Universe, and Something. Our paid tickets also included telescope passes for two different telescopes, the 36" Refractor and 40" Reflector. But the system they used for visitor viewing was inconvenient and inefficient. Let's just say if you're #150 or above, you'll be waiting a while. Because of this ridiculous system, we opted to just visit one of the telescopes (the one with less people and a shorter "line"), and I'm glad we chose the Refractor. Inside the dark space, they shared interesting information about the science and history of the piece and about this unique setting, the first mountaintop observatory, with James Lick's tomb buried underneath this particular dome. After guests' questions were answered, visitors could then climb up a platform ladder, one-by-one, to peek through the giant telescope, on this day viewing M5, a cluster of stars 20,000 light years away. While waiting for our turn for telescope viewing, we were able to explore the other rooms, listen to a lecture by an astronomy speaker on site, check out views from the smaller telescopes outside, and visit the gift shop. They also had a few snacks and coffee for sale, as well as drinks from a vending machine available. For special events here, I felt there were a lot of negatives. They don't have enough parking to accommodate the number of tickets they sell and don't inform visitors that there will be at least a quarter mile walk uphill if not more, the seating for concerts and system for telescope viewing is flawed and unnecessarily complicated, and the drive up here caused some of the worst motion sickness I've ever gotten. I still gave 4 stars because the volunteers and staff were helpful for the most part, the views from Mount Hamilton are magnificent, and the experience is quite unique. Also admission to the visitor center is typically free. Can't complain about that.

View from the side of the observatory.
Laura C.

It's incredible the the things that are here in our backyard of the greater Bay area. Gazing down at us from is this incredible observatory. As someone from San Jose I would see this building all the way from my corner of Los Gatos/Campbell/San Jose. I took a drive up here yesterday to clear my head, I went up Quimby which I don't recommend unless you are a very skilled driver and enjoy twisty roads which I actually do. It was a clear day so the driving conditions was perfect. Anyway look Observatory was incredible well they do have limited hours I recommend you get here before 5:00. I was able to check out the visitor center learn more about the telescope and how the building was built I even got to chat with some of the researchers who were wandering the grounds. There are many signs that actually say quiet day sleepers which indicate that the researchers and the scientists sleep during the day and then do their work at night. So try to be respectful when you visit. Anyhow the views are stunning and breathtaking. There are some binoculars attached to a stand that you can check out some of the other mountain peaks too. You can see Joseph D Grant Park and the lake down below, and some of the greater Bay Area in the distance. My favorite experience was seeing the Marine layer.

Fun place but lost track of time. the observatory area closed and I was kicked out by a man around his 40s I left the observatory without a hassle as I make it down to mt ham rd the worker then tells me I have to start making my way down the rd or he'll call sheriff. I simply wanted to rest and catch my breath from climbing all the way up but the worker refused.yes I get you are trying to do your job but you don't have to abuse it.do better.

Evelyn H.

My husband and I attended a photography night event at Lick Observatory and it was no less than amazing. It was our first time at Lick Observatory and the drive was quite harrowing. For someone who gets carsick, I was very paranoid about making the trip up, so I stocked up on ginger chews. It took what felt like an eternity to get up there and about 1-2 miles from our destination, I had a bit of a panic attack, but with some steady breathing and once we arrived, I mellowed out and was fine to enjoy the rest of the evening on top of the world. They allowed up to 20 cars up for the evening and had things lined up specifically for photographers to take advantage of the location and evening. There were people with a wide variety of experience and gear up there with us. We found a great spot to each set up our tripods and cameras to enjoy and capture the sunset. I packed some hot ginger tea and layers and am SO glad I did. It got mighty cold and breezy up there. We caught a beautiful sunset of pinks, purples, and oranges that transitioned into a beautiful evening sky with a few streaks of clouds. They turned off the building lights, interior and exterior, so that we could get some cool shots of the 36" telescope dome. They had an infrared light inside the dome and opened it up, so people could shoot inside or outside the dome. We couldn't look or shoot through the scope, unfortunately, but it was still a neat experience. Once we were in the 10-11PM hour, they turned on the light in the dome and did a planned long exposure setup with us to create what they called a "Ghost Dome" image which was meant to be at a 2 minute shutter speed and F4 aperture. I unfortunately didn't have a remote trigger to set the shutter for that long, so I was just taking 30 second shots at a time, but it was still a neat experience. They gave us 2 (but really, 3 because one was a bit messed up) shots at it and it was great. The staff there were all super-knowledgeable and informative. It was really lovely being welcomed to the observatory for such a special experience. The car ride home was much better than the ride up, but it is a looong way from town. I would love to go back someday, but I don't know if I could stomach the ride. It was truly a night to remember, though.

Hosh S.

It's hard to imagine anyone giving Lick Observatory anything less than a 5-star review! Set high up on one of the peaks of Mount Hamilton, this destination is a must-visit. The drive up to the observatory is an adventure in itself, with twisty roads that really test your driving skills. The narrow roads climb steadily, offering stunning views that prepare you for the spectacle ahead. At the summit, Lick Observatory stands as a landmark of historical significance and a hub of cutting-edge astronomical research, dating back to the late 18th century. Among its collection of telescopes is the Great Lick Refractor, once the largest refracting telescope in the world, and still a marvel of historical and scientific importance. Nighttime visits are especially magical. The observatory's summer stargazing programs allow guests to peer through telescopes at distant galaxies and stars, with expert explanations from the observatory's knowledgeable staff. It's an educational and intimate experience that connects visitors with the vast cosmos. Whether you're a stargazing enthusiast or simply looking for a unique experience, Lick Observatory is an excellent choice. It's a perfect spot for families, dates, friends, or even solo adventurers. You won't be disappointed. A few tips for your visit: 1. Drive carefully. The roads up the mountain attract fast drivers who can make the narrow, two-lane road tricky, especially at parts where it's impossible for wide cars to pass without crossing into the oncoming lane. 2. Watch for unprotected turns along cliffs with 1,000+ foot drops. If you're heading to the observatory, stay alert and cautious. 3. Share the road respectfully with cyclists, who are vulnerable and move slowly. The road includes several blind turns, so when in doubt, slow down. There's no need to rush--with so much beauty and excitement ahead, the drive is part of the adventure.

James Lick telescope
Shaki S.

If California were a nation (it kind of is) Lick Observatory would be a national treasure--an engineering marvel, truly stunning setting, and fascinating history all rolled into one. So why is it then that they are so cash strapped that they can't show a more updated video in their makeshift museum then one from the 90s, chairs in 'theatre' are shreaded and held together with duck tape, and per the docent-- they are still trying to raise the $2 million required to fix the elevated walkway in historic dome. With all the $$$ in this region why and how is fundraising even an issue?

The view from the observatory, spectacular!!!

Super crowded but the experience it was spectacular, we were able to saw juniper and Saturn my kids were astonish the service, security were amaizing this is the tepe.pf place you must go Everytime you can. We will come back again

Shannen R.

Looking at the mountains, I've always wondered what those bulb-y looking things were. Little did I know it was Lick Observatory! Unfortunately the observatory was closed when we arrived so this review is based on the outside only haha. It was a nice day for a motorcycle ride and well, my bf decided to come all the way up here! The turns and twisties make the ride even more fun haha. There's some cyclists that travel up these hills so be careful! One thing we noticed was that when we were getting closer to the summit, the air was nicer and we got so far up that the trees started looking like broccolis to me haha. There was plenty of parking when we went and we were free to walk around the area. Those bulb-y buildings were HUGE. I mean, they looked huge from afar but damn when you get there you'll literally just ooooh and ahhhh at it. Overall, it's a great escape from the city but not too far. Highly recommend to everyone!

Jason G.

It's a bit of a drive from Milpitas up to the observatory, but very much worth it. The road is narrow and winding, so when your navi tells you that it's going to be an hour to get there, it's correct. On the bright side if you drive an electric vehicle up there, on the way down your battery will likely be at a higher percentage after the trip down than it is when you leave the observatory. The old telescope is the gem here. It's absolutely beautiful. If you can, catch the tour that the gift shop puts on. It's more of a talk than a tour, but worth it nonetheless. Make sure to look at the floor! It's almost as marvelous as the scope. There's a newer and still-in-operation telescope a short walk from the old observatory. It's very industrial but some of the posted material is really interesting to read if you're even remotely into astronomy.

Telescope built in the 19th century and still works!

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Drive up there was so calm and relaxing. Beautiful location. Not much to do though. So bring Lunch.

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3 years ago

Love to reflect and learn about astronomy great to take your kids for like half a day type thing

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Lick O.

Thank you, we are glad you enjoyed your visit :-)

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Ask the Community - Lick Observatory

My wife is concerned about making the trip up the road in an older car. Any thoughts from those who have made the journey?

Though there aren't any extremely steep areas, I would caution as in the event of a breakdown, there aren't any service stations and the reception may be choppy.

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Review Highlights - Lick Observatory

The fascinating part is how the the floor of the observatory moves up to get you up to look at the telescope.

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Fremont Peak Observatory - A common sight during the day at Fremont Peak observatory.

Fremont Peak Observatory

(3 reviews)

To be honest, the view from the observatory out towards the valley, with the fog layer sitting…read morebelow you like the biggest bowl of whipped cream known to man was just about as cool as the observatory. That alone was well worth it. The observatory too was neat. We happened to be campng there the night of the month they open it up. There was a nice video presenation (nothing you would not see on the discorvery channel but cool never the less), a QA with the on site volunteer and then they let the guests look through the various telescopes which were focused on the moons of Jupiter. They have one big honkin (about the size of a VW Bug) telescope but the volunteers also had about 1/2 dozen (6 if you must) other telescopes set up as well, so the kids were able to take a little more time on those. For anyone into astronomy it would be a must. Probably pretty entertaining for almost any 7 to 11 year old kid. Side note, the drive up has some sharp turns. My mothe rmade it up with a trailer on her truck but it was a bit hairy. The camp ground there is usable, but nothing too special. It was dry when we were there so we were not allowed to have a camp fire :(

It took me having to take astronomy at Hartnell to knlw about the observatory. I didnt know we had…read moreanything like this around. My professor required us to go up last week. The view is just so amazing. Its a little walk up to observatory so make sure you layer yourself. Its free bug there is a donation box. There are other people with other telescopes out that let you see things. I saw the milky way which is a haze. Its cool. The observatory itself is cool. The roof gets pushed off or rolls off. This is 100% a place everyone needs to check out at least once in their life.

Chabot Space & Science Center - Floor map

Chabot Space & Science Center

(484 reviews)

Oakland Hills

I went to the observatories on Friday with my friends for the free telescope viewings. Overall it…read morewas great, but I wanted to take a picture on my phone of Jupiter from the lens, and Gerald was a straight asshole and yelled at me saying "don't take pictures there's people in line". There was a guy who they let take pictures from his phone through the lens with no problem. Gearld was so rude. Dude had a stick up his ass. I was with my friend and they didn't care that I wanted to take a picture on my phone. I was excited to come and he lowkey ruined the rest of the night for me. He needs to be checked.

My wife loves to find educational opportunities for our family outings. We came on a Saturday, and…read moreit was a pretty cool experience. At the entrance, there's a little gift shop to the right, before the ticket counter (pretty steep) and then the exhibit hall is on the first floor. Since this is a Space & Science Center so it's not technically a planetarium, but there is one here where they show short featured films about nature and space exploration. We watched 3 of them, and they were all pretty well done. So this said planetarium/theatre is on the first floor too, and the shows are every hour on the hour, some of them are a half-hour long, and some are only about 15 minutes or so. Different topics/titles and they do not repeat, so it is best to get to this Space & Science Center by mid-morning and plan to stay the whole day. The focus of this Space & Science Center is about space exploration by NASA and the science behind it. In fact, the NASA Ames Research Visitor Center is housed here. My kids are both older now and they definitely got some learning out of this NASA center, which if they were younger, would be too hard for them to understand. There's exhibits of space suits, pictures of historic and current space endeavors, and displays explaining how NASA developed the technology to take us to the moon and other parts of the universe. There are also interesting autobiographical posters written by astronauts and other space scientists on their roles in space exploration. Further back on the first floor, there are a few hands-on activities such as using kinetic sand, and other simple engineering experiences made into fun for younger kids. There's also a cafeteria on this floor towards the back of the building. Prices are a little high, but expectedly so for a museum/science center type of venue. The second floor houses several classrooms, and then there are some exhibits from retired space vehicles such as a real module you can climb in and play with that still has all the (non-functioning, obviously) controls. My kids had a great time with that. There were even a dog-space-vehicle/container thing, and lots of smaller spacecrafts and many space suits and miniature replicas of space shuttles on display. On the top floor, it's basically an open area/observatory with several huge rooms that houses one telescope in each for viewing stars and planets. They were hard to see in daytime and are so far, you can only see like a speck of light when viewing a planet. I "saw" Venus, but it was just a dot, or for example, I "saw" Betelgeuse the star, haha. This beautiful space is surrounding by the redwoods, so it was a nice area and so peaceful. Later on in the summer, when it gets warmer, I think the night sky would be spectacular here and real nice out even when it gets totally dark. We enjoyed our visit to Chabot Space & Science Center. It has interesting things that should provide something for everyone and we all enjoyed it. I felt the vastness of our universe and the greatness of our Creator, appreciated that us humans have made some significant strides learning about and exploring our galaxy, but there's still so much more we don't know and much more we have to go. My attempt at a deep thought, haha.

Foothill College Observatory - Telescope in observatory

Foothill College Observatory

(5 reviews)

Great night sky view, saw moon up close. Parking situation's good at night…read more Heads up that there's a lot people, with lines. Appreciate the staff there for hosting!

My boyfriend and I came over like around 6:30 friday We…read morewalked around before checking this place out Don't bother coming early because they definitely do not Don't bother making a line because the professor doesn't bother with it I give this a zero because there was no communication They didn't say anything about kids going first when they first opened the door nor when you go up the stairs and the professor is up there Two ladies were in front of us and they got to look into the telescope He proceeded to disregard my boyfriend and I. Even though we were standing right behind the two ladies I took my chance right away to look into it while he was talking to the ladies He then mumbled something and was trying to take the step stool away Let a little kid to see Then her father and when he finished. The professor was showing the kids the photo he took of the moon on his phone and was talking about how a meteor hit the moon and so forth I told my boyfriend to take the chance to see since no one was paying attention When he saw my boyfriend looking into it he immediately tried taking the step stool and mumbled to him that kids go first in a very low voice I felt disrespected and i was mad We walked out I get it.. I feel like I'm maybe over reacting But I don't like being disrespected when we did nothing wrong We waited, we were in line, we weren't talking at all when we walked in, he never mentioned that kids would go first when we got up there nor after the two ladies Definitely was not worth the disrespect

Lick Observatory - observatories - Updated May 2026

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