Palomar Observatory Astronomy Tour

Spend an evening with one of the largest and most famous telescopes in the world! See the historic 200-inch Hale telescope, hear an astronomy guest speaker, visit the museum and gift shop, and then spend the rest of the evening stargazing under the night sky atop Palomar Mountain. Guests will have the opportunity to view the cosmos through multiple telescopes with the help of Palomar’s skilled docents. These enhanced tours are held on darker evenings allowing for greater visibility of various astronomical features.

Including travel time, the tour is approximately from 3 p.m. until midnight. Access to the observatory will be by bus only and is included in the price of the tour. No private vehicles are permitted. There are two pick-up locations: San Diego and Escondido. All activities are subject to weather and operational requirements. A portion of the fee for these tours supports Palomar Observatory’s new educational exhibits. Dinner is not included with the cost of your tour.


Thank you for the support of the Palomar tours; the tours for the 2011 season are now sold out. Please check back in Spring of 2012 to learn about the future of the program.

NOTE: These tours are appropriate for ages 10 and up. Remember to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. The tour consists of standing and walking, including relatively rough terrain and tight staircases. If you require assistance during a Palomar tour, accommodations can be arranged. Please be sure to let us know when booking your reservation. Confirmations and directions to pickup locations are mailed in advance.

Cancellation Policy: Requests for refunds must be made at least one week prior to the tour date and will be charged a 20% processing fee. If you cancel within one week, no refund will be issued.