Spot near East Bay?

[Stefano Antonini]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering: is there any convenient spot near the East Bay for astrophotography? What I'm looking for is something 30-45 minutes away from Berkeley (possibly in the East direction). I don't remember seeing anything about that on the Website, so I was wondering if anyone has found something like that.

I know it wouldn't be as dark as, say, Lake Sonoma. But even if it is a Bortle 5 or 6, it would be a great improvement over Berkeley/Oakland+would allow me to get objects in the North (which I can't see from my backyard). And it would be less of a commitment if I want to go mid week.

Thanks for any suggestions and clear skies!

Stefano

[Richard Navarrete]

People used to go to a spot near Del Valle regional park. It was a pullout with a gate we had permission to use . I haven’t heard of anyone using it for years though, and although I went there once, I couldn’t tell you exactly where it was. Maybe the park would be viable.

Richard

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[Muriel Dulieu]

I asked the same question a few weeks ago Stefano and there does not seem to be any regular meeting places nearby. 

I am in Orinda and I am thinking of trying some places nearby on the hills, maybe, if I can recruit some friends. 

I usually end up going with MDAS on Mount Diablo, SFAA on Mount Tam, EAS at Chabot and Trivalley stargazers near Del Valle. 

EAS at Chabot is the closest but their astronomy night are only 4 times a year and not terribly dark, the others are more or less one hour drive away. 

-Muriel

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On Jun 6, 2025, at 5:27 PM, 'Richard Navarrete' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

 People used to go to a spot near Del Valle regional park. It was a pullout with a gate we had permission to use . I haven’t heard of anyone using it for years though, and although I went there once, I couldn’t tell you exactly where it was. Maybe the park would be viable.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/1159070369.499616.1749256046933%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Richard Navarrete]

Hi Muriel,

How’s the tri valley spot near Del Valley?

Richard

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.

[Muriel Dulieu]

I am trying their secret dark site next weekend, I’ll let you know. 

If you join, you can come too. 

-Muriel

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On Jun 6, 2025, at 6:19 PM, 'Richard Navarrete' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

 Hi Muriel,

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[Aris Pope]

The spot in Del Valle is for members of the Tri-Valley Stargazers. Once you become a member and pay the annual fee you will get a combination. Once you make your way through the fence it is a good distance off the main road where you can do your observing or imaging. I image there quite a bit. 

Also just before the fence there's a nice spot it's called "Top of the hill" 

(https://maps.app.goo.gl/YV6ciesUwcqhqj5w8) .

It's a nice  open area but you are on the main road but there's only light traffic in the evening. You shouldn't have any issues Imaging there. I've imaged there in the past when the fire road was not accessible due to red flag warnings.

Hope that helps

Aris

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[Richard Navarrete]

Ahh. I must have gone with a member the one time I visited the spot. It’s been quite a while that I was there.

Richard

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[Aris Pope]

Muriel, I hope you have a great time out there! Who are you going with? 

Richard, I've only been in the club about 4 years now. I don't know if that spot was available for non-club members prior to me joining.

Aris

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[Stefano Antonini]

Thanks for all the answers! This secret spot, how far is it driving from Berkeley? If it's less than an hour, might join the club ...

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[Mitchell Koerner]

Here's TVS's public facing webpage about H2O: https://www.trivalleystargazers.org/h2o.shtml

To answer your question though, it's about 1:30-1:45 from berkeley. So a bit farther than Lake Sonoma unfortunately.

However, the Del Valle site is nice and only 55min from Berkeley.

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[Stefano Antonini]

Oh I see thanks! This is the del valle site on TAC website? 

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[Mitchell Koerner]

I linked their H2O (hidden hill observatory) site - but it's right next to their Del Valle web page

H2O webpage: https://www.trivalleystargazers.org/h2o.shtml

Del Valle site webpage: https://www.trivalleystargazers.org/delvalle.shtml

To add to my response - TVS just kinda rocks IMO if you're considering being a member. I'm especially impressed with the quantity of outreach events they throw for schools and community events.

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[Mitchell Koerner]

Sorry, I just reread your response. Yes, the Del Valle site on TVS's website and on the TAC website are the same.

[Aris Pope]

It takes me about an hour and a half or hour 20 minutes from San Leandro

Aris

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[Aris Pope]

Stefano, I just put the directions in from Berkeley bowl to the H²O site and it 1hr 32min (71 miles). 

It's well worth it though. You are on private property and there are concrete pads set up along with numerous other telescopes that you can use for visual on site. 

I went there probably a couple dozen times last year. And a few times I stayed overnight and turned it into a two-nighter. Just drove back into town to get lunch, snacks and beer during the day. 

 Here's a pic of my setup on one of the concrete pads. I am kind of biased. I'm also the Vice President.

Aris

On Fri, Jun 6, 2025, 7:13 PM Stefano Antonini <stefanoa...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Richard Navarrete]

Stefano,

Do you know the elevation of the H20 site?

Thanks,

Richard

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[Muriel Dulieu]

Aris, I am going to H2O by myself. The club has an event there next weekend.

They also have events at a winery in Livermore sometimes which is a bit closer (I haven’t been yet either). 

-Muriel

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On Jun 6, 2025, at 6:54 PM, Aris Pope <arispo...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Aris Pope]

Muriel nice!! Glad you were able to get your orientation done. I think they might be up there laying gravel this weekend.

Aris

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[Aris Pope]

Richard, The elevation is just under 2, 500ft. Roughly 755 meters 

Aris

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[Richard Ozer]

Rich, et.al.,

The Trivalley club in Livermore maintains a permit for the Del Valle
site. It's still active, but not a TAC site any longer.

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[Stefano Antonini]

Thank you very much everyone! So it sounds like the best option is joining TVS, to have access to both Del Valle site and H20. Will look into it!

Stefano

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