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PATH: The Astronomy Connection -> Observing Sites

TAC Observing Sites

Site Description
Blue Canyon

More Information *

 Description: Airport site used by the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society, TAC-SAC and others.
Use Policy: Semi-public access.
Owner: Placer County
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0452 1909
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1321 0138
Astronomical Twilight: 0304 2058
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Paved		 Lat: N39 15.528
Lon: W120 42.472
Elev: 5271 ft.
Bonny Doon Airport

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 Description: Private property. Only available on Santa Cruz Astronomy Club arranged nights.
Use Policy: Only open when the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club is hosting a star party.
Owner: Private property TAC Site Liaison: Santa Cruz Astronomy Club
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
Surface: Paved

Chabot (Oakland)

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 Description: A public observatory and planetarium.
Use Policy: Must be a registered volunteer. See their web site: http://www.chabotspace.org/volunteer/default.asp
Owner: City of Oakland
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0500 1911
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1326 0142
Astronomical Twilight: 0316 2055
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Paved		 Lat: N37 8191
Lon: W122 1819
Elev: 1460 ft.
Road Map
Topographic Map
Coyote Lake

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 Description: Lake-side county park near Gilroy.
Use Policy: Anyone can use it for observing at night. No reservations are re
Owner: Santa Clara County
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0500 1907
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1324 0139
Astronomical Twilight: 0317 2050
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Paved		 Lat: N37 05.567
Lon: W121 32.550
Elev: 970 ft.
Road Map
Del Valle Reservior

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 Description: A lake-side park near Livermore.
Use Policy: By reservation. Only on announced nights.
Owner: East Bay Regional Park District TAC Site Liaison: Bruce Jensen
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
 Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Varied		 Lat: N37 35.900
Lon: W121 41.400
Elev: 1350 ft.
Dinosaur Point

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 Description: Parking lot adjacent to San Luis Reservior.
Use Policy: Site is behind locked gate and access is only on announced nights. A Gatekeeper must make reservation, be present at all times, and escort observers through the gate.
TAC Site Liaison: Albert Highe
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0456 1904
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1321 0136
Astronomical Twilight: 0314 2046
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Paved		 Lat: N37 03.90
Lon: W121 10.217
Elev: 648 ft.
Fiddletown

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 Description: Private property near Fiddletown.
Use Policy: First timers should caravan with a previous visitor, free access after that.
Owner: Bob Kestner TAC Site Liaison: Steve Gottlieb
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
 Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Gravel		 Lat: N38 29.502
Lon: W120 39.800
Elev: 2565 ft.
Fremont Peak

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 Description: A mountain-top state park, with a 30 in. reflector in a club-owned observatory.
Use Policy: Park closes 1/2 hour after sunset except for approved after-hours activities; Dec to Feb: closed nights except for FPOA area, which is behind the gate and near the observatory, FPOA membership required. March to Nov: E-mail the ranger(s) 2 days in advance with observing intent. Email: [sneufeld@parks.ca.gov] and [dedavis@parks.ca.gov], include vehicle type and license plate. $4.00 Park Use Fee.
Owner: The State of California TAC Site Liaison: Jamie Dillon
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0500 1906
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1324 0138
Astronomical Twilight: 0318 2048
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Paved		 Lat: N36 45.655
Lon: W121 30.169
Elev: 2750 ft.
Road Map
Grant Ranch

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 Description: County park on Mount Hamilton Road (highway 130), home to HVAG.
Use Policy: Available to HVAG members by prior arrangement, available to others only on scheduled nights.
Owner: Santa Clara County
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
 Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Varied		 Lat: N37 19.770
Lon: W121 42.921
Elev: 1705 ft.
Road Map
Henry Coe

More Information *

 Description: A state park near Morgan Hill.
Use Policy: Phone 408 779-2728 or e-ail ranger John Vorheoven at jverhoeven@parks.ca.gov to arrange use overflow parking lot. Lot is 1/2 mile before park headquarters, just past a cattle crossing. If you arrange for use of lot, post on TAC to reduce calls to the rangers. Pay $5 day use fee at ranger's headquarters.
Owner: The State of California TAC Site Liaison: Jim Van Nuland
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0500 1907
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1325 0140
Astronomical Twilight: 0317 2050
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Gravel		 Lat: N37 11.250
Lon: W121 33.016
Elev: 2600 ft.
Road Map
Houge Park (San Jose)

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 Description: A city park in San Jose, home to SJAA meetings and public observing events.
Use Policy: Lights extinguished only on scheduled SJAA observing nights.
Owner: City of San Jose
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0500 1908
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1325 0140
Astronomical Twilight: 0317 2052
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Paved
Road Map
IHOP

More Information *

 Description: IHOP observing site near Ice House Reservoir, off Highway 50.
Use Policy:
Owner: BLM
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
 Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Dirt		 Lat: N 38 79.222
Lon: W120 23.45
Elev: 5000 ft.
Road Map
Topographic Map
Lake San Antonio

More Information *

 Description: A county park and reservoir. Site of the annual CalStar star party.
Use Policy:
Owner: Monterey County Parks
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0459 1903
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1323 0136
Astronomical Twilight: 0319 2044
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Dirt
Road Map
Lake Sonoma

More Information *

 Description: An Army Corps of Engineers facility and park near Cloverdale.
Use Policy: Open to the public. Call ranger in advance if arriving after dark.
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0501 1916
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1329 0146
Astronomical Twilight: 0315 2103
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface:
Road Map
Montebello OSP (Palo Alto)

More Information *

 Description: A gravel parking lot near Skyline Drive, west of Palo Alto.
Use Policy: Permit and reservation required. Permit-holder must be present.
Owner: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District TAC Site Liaison: James Turley
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0501 1909
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1326 0141
Astronomical Twilight: 0317 2053
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Gravel		 Lat: N37 19.533
Lon: W122 10.733
Elev: 2284 ft.
Road Map
Mount Lassen

More Information *

 Description: A national park east of Redding.
Use Policy: Bumpass Hell and Devestated Area parking lots open to all park users. Road open from July through September.
Owner: National Park Service
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0451 1916
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1322 0142
Astronomical Twilight: 0258 2109
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Paved

Topographic Map
Mount Tamalpias Pantoll Ranger

More Information *

 Description: A paved, reasonably dark parking lot at the Pantoll Ranger Station, Mt. Tamalpias State Park.
Use Policy: This is a public area and camping/motorhomes are permitted for a small fee. Self-registration. Astronomers are unmolested, generally, by the park rangers. They enjoy looking through the scopes.
Owner: State of California TAC Site Liaison: Robert English
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
 Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Paved		 Lat: N37 54.219
Lon: W122 36.2442
Elev: 1458 ft.
Road Map
Topographic Map
Mount Tamalpias Rock Springs

More Information *

 Description: Site of SFAA star parties and monthly private observing sessions.
Use Policy: Only SFAA members are allowed to remain at the star party after the Rock Spring gates are closed.
Owner: State of California TAC Site Liaison: Robert English
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
 Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Paved		 Lat: N37 54.6642
Lon: W122 36.7782
Elev: 1949 ft.
Road Map
Topographic Map
Pacheco State Park

More Information *

 Description: A state park near Pacheco Pass on highway 152. Potentially very dark and clear.
Use Policy: Contact Ranger (209/826-6283 or 209/826-1196) to arrange night use.
Owner: State of California
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
       Sunrise/Sunset: 0456 1904
     Moonrise/Moonset: 1321 0136
Astronomical Twilight: 0314 2046
Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Gravel

Topographic Map
Plettstone

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 Description: Private property located in the Sierra Foothills near Mariposa, CA.
Use Policy: By invitation only. Invitations are posted regularly on the TAC mailing list. Driving directions are available by request.
Owner: Michelle Stone TAC Site Liaison: Michelle Stone
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
 Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Varied

Unlisted Site

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 Description: A placeholder for people who want to post OIs for somewhere not listed.
Use Policy:
TAC Site Liaison: (none)


Surface:

Willow Springs

More Information *

 Description: Private property east of Paicines
Use Policy: Privte property. By invitation only.
Owner: Bob Ayers TAC Site Liaison: Bob Ayers - astroayers at gmail dot com
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
 Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Dirt

Young Observatory (Angwin)

More Information *

 Description: Parking lot adjacent the observatory at Pacific Union College.
Use Policy: Open to anyone who wants to observe on Fridays when school is in session. Other days if pre-arranged with site liaison.
Owner: Pacific Union College TAC Site Liaison: Otis Finley
Clear-Sky Clock: [Clear Sky Clock]
 Weather: NOAA Weather
 
Surface: Dirt		 Lat: N38 34.55
Lon: W122 27.00
Elev: 1800 ft.
Road Map
Topographic Map

If you have useful additional information about one of these observing sites, or would like to suggest another Bay-area observing site, plaese send e-mail to the TAC Webmaster.