Palomar Observatory Questions

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

We are going to be in Carlsbad, CA this month timesharing and was wondering if a trip to the Palomar Observatory would be worth considering?

[buzglyd Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close buzglyd]

I haven't visited the observatory personally but I have ridden up Palomar mountain many times on my motorcycle. It's a pretty good drive from Carlsbad up really curvy roads with big drop offs.

The views are fantastic and there is a great, little vegetarian place to have lunch at the top. Mother's cafe.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

The drive up the mountain has breathtaking views. There is a nice but small info center with interesting displays on the history & ongoing research at the observatory. The oldest telescope is open for public viewing and includes historical info about the telescope. If you have an interest in astronomy it is worth a visit. There is also a small mission to stop and visit on the way.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

I have been to the Palomar Observatory many times. Most of the times, My son and I rode our bikes up the mountain. It is pretty interesting and worth it if you like observatories. You can do it in a loop going up one side of the mountain and coming down the other. the 2 roads merge together a couple miles below the observatory. There is a store where they merge.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

We went there many, many years ago and it was a very nice drive up there. Here is some more information.

http://www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/visiting.html