Observer Travel to Palomar Observatory


Palomar Observatory is located near the Cleveland National Forest on Palomar Mountain in North San Diego County.

Street Address :
Palomar Observatory
35899 Canfield Road
Palomar Mountain
CA 92060-0200

The following are a collection of travel resources for Palomar Observers and Visitors

Driving

Most observers/visitors will be driving themselves to Palomar. This Google Maps link will do a good job of providing directions (see the "Get directions" link). If you find yourself needing more driving information, please see our Palomar Driving Directions page.

IMPORTANT: the roads to Palomar, Highway 76 & South Grade Road (S-6), may be difficult during and just after rain and/or snow events. Road closures and rock/mud slides are possible at these times.

For road conditions :
Please note that many on-line & GPS programs can give incorrect directions for reaching the observatory. Roads like Nate Harrison Grade and anything labeled a "truck trail" are not passable by ordinary vehicles. One happy exception is the Google Maps link cited above.

Shuttle Services

If you would rather not drive yourself to the observatory, we have identified a number of shuttle/towncar providers who can serve travellers arriving at San Diego Airport (estimated 80 miles to the observatory; all rates quoted to us ~ $3.50/mile + gratuity):

Acommodations: The Palomar Monastery

Our full-service observer's dormitory (food and room included) is called "The Monastery". If you already have a Monastery account with us, you can book your Monastery reservations on-line from the Palomar observer login-in page.

If you don't have an account in the Monastery system, our Observatory Administrative Assistant Pam Thompson (phone 760-742-2100) can assist you in making Monastery arrangements. Please note that reservations booked less than one week in advance will be assessed a late fee.

Monastery check-in is handled at the Monastery itself. Visitor keys are available at check-in time.

Meals are included in your Monastery stay; most special dietary requests (e.g. vegitarian, vegan) can be accommodated. Please make your preferences known when you book your Monastery reservation.

First-time observers may find the full-size Palomar Campus Map image helpful in finding your way around the Palomar site.

The Security Gate

Outside normal business hours access to the observatory compound is protected by a security gate. Gate access instructions are available through the Palomar observer login-in page or from our Observatory Administrative Assistant Pam Thompson (phone 760-742-2100).

Observer Palomar Travel v 0.1.1dev
Last updated: 18 July 2012 AFB