Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton
Visit on your scheduleSelect outdoor areas, parking and Shane Visitor's Gallery open daily 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Gift shop (Historic Diner) Saturdays & Sundays 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., plus Thanksgiving Friday–Sunday and Dec 26–31; closed Thanksgiving Day.
Lick Observatory7281 Mount Hamilton Rd., Mount Hamilton, CA 95140Directions
All ages
FreeFree for all visitors
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About this adventure
Lick Observatory, the University of California's research observatory on the summit of Mount Hamilton east of San José, is free to visit during the day. While the historic Main Building stays closed for repairs after Christmas wind-storm damage, visitors can walk to the Shane dome and look at the 120-inch Shane reflector from the visitors' gallery, where displays explain how the telescope helped discover some of the first planets beyond our solar system. A self-guided walking tour covers the grounds (some stops are off limits during construction), and the East Grounds and the parking lot at 4,209 feet look out over the Santa Clara Valley. The gift shop, temporarily in the Historic Diner, sells astronomy toys, posters and photos on weekends. There is no food service: pack a lunch (vending machines are at the Shane site). The drive up Mount Hamilton Road is long and winding, so plan for it with young children.
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