How many ways can you spell exceptional? Nothing less than expected from Cal-Tech who runs staff's and maintains this location. Say hi to Jean at the gift shop and be sure to get some swag and check out the high tech new exhibit. There is...More

One of the great features is that this is a working scientific facility. At 68 years old, you enjoy all the beauty of its era, you can admire the pre-computer ingenuity and engineering, and appreciate the continuing scientific advancement. The docents are terrific! You do...More

Set in a beautiful area, the Palomar Observatory is a must see for anybody with an interest in astronomy, engineering or increasing knowledge of our world and the cosmos around us. While visitors generally can get a glimpse of what goes on, you need to...More

If you thought that the Hubble telescope made ground-based observatories obsolete, you're in for a surprise! This historic observatory, whose 200-inch telescope was once the world's most powerful, is operated by Caltech and still in daily (actually, nightly) use. The visitor's center has excellent exhibits...More

Informative excursion. There is a picnic area at the top of the mountain so pack a lunch. The telescope is impressive. Be aware though, you don't get anywhere near it really. You look at it through glass windows and read panels. The museum/information/guest shop building...More

The Palomar Observatory is definitely one of those interesting places you want to visit whether its a quick day trip or something you tack onto a bigger trip. You must drive up the windy road of Palomar Mountain to reach it but the drive is...More

it is a nice adventure, for most people, but if you can't climb many stairs it's not for you. There is a little shop to visit, good place for a walk around.

This is a unique place. Our guide Marianne was very friendly and knowledgeable. The observatory is located at the end of a steep winding road, what makes the place even more special. The low temperatures inside may cause some inconvenience to young visitors.

This is a neat place to visit. It does take considerable driving on mountain roads, but it is worth the effort. It has a very interesting and informative visitor center as well as the observatory itself. There was a docent at the observatory who was...More

With WWII, the atomic program, the space program, mapping the human genome and other large, often international scientific programs it is easy to forget how special, how challenging and how valuable the building of the Palomar Observatory was ... and how it contributes today. A...More