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Yes, the summer days in Death Valley can be brutally hot, but the nights offer some of the most clear, dark skies in the Golden State. Death Valley has what astronomers call “Gold Tier” Dark Sky status, offering stunning views of the Milky Way. Look for Tecopa Hot Springs Resort for star parties on new moon weekends, with a high-powered telescope aimed at the night sky, Furnace Creek, Scotty’s Castle, and The Racetrack. “Death Valley National Park holds an annual event each spring, where visitors are invited to come and learn about space,” according to the National Park Service website. “The event lasts multiple days and includes special ranger programs, guest speakers from organizations such as NASA, and hands-on activities. Check the park calendar before you go, or ask a Furnace Creek Visitor Center ranger for upcoming night sky-watching dates.”

2. Yosemite National Park:

Yosemite is a favorite location for summer outdoor enthusiasts. It offers a splendid and often unobstructed view of the night sky, considered perfect for stargazing. “Yosemite National Park, miles from the nearest city lights, has a very dark night sky that makes it a great place to look at the stars,” the National Park Service website reads. “Bring along a star chart and look for constellations, or look through binoculars at some of our planetary neighbors. In June, July, and August, amateur astronomers often set up telescopes at Glacier Point on Saturdays, and astronomy walks or talks may also be offered in Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and Wawona.” Plan your visit on the Yosemite National Park Service website.

3. 29 Palms:

This Joshua Tree-adjacent area is where visitors get their first-ever look at the stretched-cotton-appearing Milky Way while in the park.

According to area astronomers, visitors flock to 29 Palms for the quiet desert beauty in the day and at night when the sky comes alive. The 29 Palms area is known for having one of the starriest night skies in the Golden State, with festivals and special events to celebrate that fact. On July 1, tickets will go on sale for the Sky’s The Limit event planned for October 4th and 5th, 2024. This will be the 9th Night Sky Festival, a two-day event celebrating this Joshua Tree Gateway Community with a unique blend of food, accommodations, and sights you will not forget, according to the website. The event venues are in Twentynine Palms, CA, so plan your stay today at visit29.org.

4. Kelso Dune Field:

If you love the stark desert landscapes, then The Kelso Dune Field, located in the Mojave Desert National Park near Barstow, might be the place to go stargazing. Even in the daytime, it feels otherworldly here. The dune field is one of the most photographed places in the desert due to the sheer clarity of the windswept geological anomaly and the night skies. When you go, bring your camping gear and lots of water, and watch out for tarantulas and scorpions after dark. Also, keep an ear open for the desert’s “singing” sands, known to “boom” if you know what to listen for. “Only seven known dune fields in North America produce ‘booming,’ and the Kelso Dunes are one of them!” The National Park Service said on its website. “It’s a deep, eerie, rumbling sound you can feel in your bones, a rumbling vibration through your entire body.” Camping is allowed only at established undeveloped campsites; all sites are first come, first served. Camping at the Dunes trailhead is not allowed.

5. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park:

The Anza-Borrego Desert is often recognized for its brilliant and crystal clear night skies, and this is a favorite for Southern California astronomers, amateurs, and otherwise. Check out the Borrego Night Sky Tours, run by astronomer and writer Dennis Mammana, throughout the year. From Anza-Borrego, you can see the cluster of stars that make up the Milky Way. It is one of the eight international Dark Sky Communities and the first in California. Indeed, this community is ideal for a star party, as it is one of the top 10 stargazing locations in the nation.

6. Palomar Observatory:

This observatory near Idyllwild, Calif., sits atop Mount Palomar on the edge of San Diego and Riverside Counties.

At Mount Palomar Observatory, a Cal Tech University astronomical research center, public tours are available to view the Hale Telescope. The telescope is near Idyllwild, in the San Jacinto Mountains. Drive to the visitor’s parking lot and walk in. Be advised that it is close to the public at 3:30 p.m., but inside, you can find a visitor center, gift shop, and observatory and learn a bit about the night sky.

7. Joshua Tree:

Joshua Tree offers a beautiful desert landscape with clear skies for stargazing, and many events center around the night sky here. The Palm Springs city glow may affect the view, but it is still one of the darkest areas for stargazing and is part of the International Dark Sky Park. Look for the Cottonwood Campground amphitheater. “On a clear night and moonless, you should have no problem viewing the stars from anywhere in the park. However, light pollution from surrounding communities does impact Joshua Tree’s night skies, so some areas of the park are darker than others,” according to the Parks Service. Plan your camping at one of the 31 campgrounds here.

8. Lake Tahoe:

The clear skies and minimal light pollution make it an ideal spot for astronomy enthusiasts. The northern California lakeside town offers about 300 nights of clear weather a year, dark skies, and ample places to stay to drink in celestial events throughout the year. According to the California Live List, Sand Harbor, Spooner Lake, and Baldwin Beach are among the best spots. If you plan a visit, check out the Hot Tubbin’ & Star Gazing at Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge.

9. Mt. San Jacinto State Park:

Another welcome stargazing spot on Mount San Jacinto, this one sits above the palms and amid the pines of Riverside County. Trek up the mountain, away from the city, to watch the sunset and stargaze in this beautiful park. See the stars either from atop the mountain from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway or set up camp. There is a spot for everyone to stargaze here.

10. Salton Sea State Recreation Area:

There’s no need to commit to a whole night of camping to see the skies here and plenty of cement pads to set up your telescope. Visit the Salton Sea State Recreation Area website for further information before you go.

11. Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles:

12. Mount Wilson Observatory in Los Angeles County:

Located on Mount Wilson, a 5,710-foot peak in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena, California, the Observatory was conceived and founded by George Ellery Hale in 1904. The home of some of the most important telescopes in the development of modern astronomy – including the two largest telescopes of their time – it is a site of significant scientific and Los Angeles history. The observatory and grounds are open to guests, and it offers self-guided or educational tours. Mount Wilson also hosts public programs during the spring and summer, including observing through historic telescopes, lectures, concerts, educational programs, and more. Note: Access to the dome is via a 53-step staircase. Mount Wilson Observatory is a mile high in elevation so the air is noticeably thinner. There is no ADA-compliant access to the dome observatory.

13. Lick Observatory near San Jose:

Lick Observatory sits at the summit of Mount Hamilton, in the Diablo Range east of San Jose. Each year, the observatory brings guest speaker astronomers in a summer series that teaches about the night sky. The observatory was built before there were paved roads. Among other claims to fame, Lick Observatory astronomers are known for identifying a moon around Jupiter, the first since the time of Galileo, according to the website. When you go, dress in comfortable clothing and walking shoes. “It can get surprisingly cold and windy after dark, so a sweater or coat is recommended,” according to the website.

14. Pigeon Point Lighthouse near Pescadero:

Where will you go to stargaze in California?

As the daylight fades, prepare to gaze up at the sky in wonder, and if you plan a stargazing tour, you may learn something about your place in the universe.

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