Palomar Observatory

Guided Tours Now Open!

The Palomar Observatory, just North of Valley Center, is a world-class center of astronomical research that is owned and operated by the California Institute of Technology.  The observatory is home to five telescopes that are used at night for a wide variety of research.

The Palomar Observatory is open to the public daily (except December 24 and 25) for daytime visits. Click here for visiting hours.

Hour long guided tours are available on Saturday’s & Sunday’s. These tours are only offered during the months of April through October. Tours cover the history and current scientific research of the Palomar Observatory.

Due to conflicts with the observatory operations, public tours will be unavailable on: 07 April, 12 May, 25 & 26 May, 08 June, and 16 June 2013.

Tour tickets are sold in the gift shop the day of the tour on a first-come, first-served basis. The gift shop opens at 10:00 a.m. Tours are at 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Get there on time…because they start the tours on the clock.

Tickets are $5.00 per person, $3.00 per person 65+, Children 12 & under are FREE when accompanied by an adult. The observatory does close if travel conditions are hazardous. So make sure to call whenever possible to the Public Information Recording phone number- (760) 742-2119-that’s updated to reflect any closures.

Click here for Driving directions to Palomar Observatory