Lick Observatory — Local services in San Jose

One of the best views of the Bay Area and valley to the east can be seen from Mt Hamilton. On a clear Winter day, if you're lucky, sometimes you can see the snow-capped tops of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. When I first saw this as a child, it was magical and I almost didn't believe my eyes. It was astounding to think I could see something so far away. 🏔️😍✨

The peak is 4,265 feet in elevation, so it does snow up here sometimes in Winter. Also look out for black ice on the road. ☃️❄️🚗

When planning your trip, keep in mind:

• The weather at the peak is often much different from the weather in the valley. It could be 20° cooler. 🌬️ You may become suddenly engulfed in a cloud & lose visibility. ☁️🌁 There may be snow. ⛄ In the least, the wind is usually a bit stronger. 🍃 Check weather before leaving.

• Some of the trees up here mist/drip a lot of sap during hot summer days. 🌲💧 You may not notice until you're trying to get the tangles out of your hair later and wonder why it's so sticky. 😫💇

• The closest gas station is about 20 miles away. ⛽

• The road (State Route 130 from San Jose) is very narrow & has lots of twists and turns. It was originally built as a road for a horse-drawn carriage to bring supplies up the mountain, so when it was paved for cars, there was barely enough room for 2 lanes. Some parts of 130 are designated as 2 lanes, but with each "lane" being laughably narrow --there's only enough room for 2 cars to pass each other if they go very slowly & carefully. Some parts of the road have no guard rail & some bends are around the edge of a sheer cliff, so DRIVE CAREFULLY. (NOT RECOMMENDED FOR INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS). There are also a few sections that have inconveniently-located bumps or potholes, so be aware of the road. If you don't feel comfortable going as fast as an approaching car behind you, there are spots to pull off the side of the road (though no shoulder). Also be aware that avid bicyclists sometimes challenge themselves with this route + there is no bike lane, so share the road & drive carefully. Allow cars to pass on straight-aways. Proceed with caution around blind corners. 🏞️🚧🚵⚠️

• Amazing sunset views & intense red light cast from golden hour to sunset (great for photography) but no restrooms open after the visitor's center lobby closes at 5pm. 🌄🌇🚫🚻🚱

• Great place to view meteor showers, particularly the Perseids when the weather is clear. Just please be respectful of the fact that people live and work up here 24/7 (be quiet 🔇🔕 and leave the place in the same condition you found it 🚮). If you watch the telescope that's open all night (Shane 3-meter telescope) during the peak of an active meteor shower, the dome is open and you can see the telescope rotate slightly every few minutes to follow the apparent radiant of the meteor shower. They seem to be watching the exact same thing! 🌌☄️🔭🌠

• Rattlesnakes are sometimes found up here. There are also mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, tarantulas & other types of snakes in the surrounding wilderness, but predatorial mammals generally don't wander onto the actual Observatory grounds. 🐍⛰️🦁🕷️

ℹ️ If you're interested in touring the inside, the last tour is at 4:30pm. @ 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 & 4:30 a tour guide gives a (free) talk in the 36-inch Great Refractor dome. Their website says Sunday - Thursday. The rest of the visitor center has lots of things to look at, but it's basically self-guided with no tour guide. The Shane 3-meter visitor gallery is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vending machines, water fountain & restrooms are open in the main building seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 🕔 🍫🚰🚻

They now have Public Evening Tours where you can look through the telescope 🔭 on Sundays & Thursdays on selected dates between April to October. They're sold out for 2018 already. Check ucsctickets.com in the future. 📅 🎟️💲 Tickets are $75/person (up to 40 people per tour). No children under...

It's hard to imagine anyone giving Lick Observatory anything less than a 5-star review! Set high up on one of the peaks of Mount Hamilton, this destination is a must-visit, by ANYONE AND EVERYONE!

The drive up to the observatory is an adventure in itself, with twisty roads that really test your driving skills. The narrow roads climb steadily, offering stunning views that prepare you for the spectacle ahead.

At the summit, Lick Observatory stands as a landmark of historical significance and a hub of cutting-edge astronomical research, dating back to the late 18th century. Among its collection of telescopes is the Great Lick 120 inch Refractor, once the largest refracting telescope in the world, and still a marvel of historical and scientific importance.

Nighttime visits are especially magical. The observatory’s summer stargazing programs allow guests to peer through telescopes at distant galaxies and stars, with expert explanations from the observatory’s knowledgeable staff. It’s an educational and intimate experience that connects visitors with the vast cosmos.

Whether you’re a stargazing enthusiast or simply looking for a unique experience, Lick Observatory is an excellent choice. It’s a perfect spot for families, dates, friends, or even solo adventurers. You won’t be disappointed.

A few tips for your visit: Drive carefully. The roads up the mountain attract fast drivers who can make the narrow, two-lane road tricky, especially at parts where it's impossible for wide cars to pass without crossing into the oncoming lane. Watch for unprotected turns along cliffs with 1,000+ foot drops. If you're heading to the observatory, stay alert and cautious. Share the road respectfully with cyclists, who are vulnerable and move slowly. The road includes several blind turns, so when in doubt, slow down. There’s no need to rush—with so much beauty and excitement ahead, the drive is part of...

One hour travel time. Over 4,000 feet in elevation (bring a coat), and amazing views. This is the oldest permanently occupied observatory in the world, which also happens to have it's founder buried beneath the Great Lick 36in refractor telescope. Built by James Lick in 1888 for $700,000 atop Mt. Hamilton, this observatory was a pioneer in the science of astronomy, and is now run by the University of California. They placed this telescope on a mountain, instead of in a city, with the idea that there would be less atmospheric interference, and they were right! Just like that, modern astronomical observation was invented. The drive up is truly enjoyable, and once there the view is so engaging that you will stare out at the hills and the cities below. There is no food or gas up there. They have a gift shop, coffee and some snack machines. They are open 12 to 5PM, so no need to rush up. The road is narrow and twisty. Watch out for cars in the other direction as well as all the bicyclist going up and down. It's quiet up there, except when some idiot drives their loud motorcycle up. Otherwise you can hear birds and the wind. There are tables between buildings where you can have lunch away from the wind. There are water fountains and restrooms. They show the Great Refractor on the half hour. You can also walk over to another telescope and look through the window at that one. The drive isn't too long, so spend some time taking pictures and staring at the beauty. It is so close to San Jose, and like James Lick, I can see the observatory from my home. Extremely...