Observing + camping w/ young kids this weekend

[Dave Bullock]

It’s kind of last minute, any ideas for a good place to go camp and observe this weekend? I’m willing to drive 2-3 hours from Walnut Creek. Caveat is that I will be bringing my wife and two young kids. I set up alerts for Pinnacles and Lake Manzanita in case space opens up.

[Jonathan Lawton]

How old are your kids and what's your level of camping experience?

Jonathan

On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 1:13 PM Dave Bullock <ee...@eecue.com> wrote:

It’s kind of last minute, any ideas for a good place to go camp and observe this weekend? I’m willing to drive 2-3 hours from Walnut Creek. Caveat is that I will be bringing my wife and two young kids.  I set up alerts for Pinnacles and Lake Manzanita in case space opens up.

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[Mitchell Koerner]

The moon is around 1/2 and doesn't go down until 2am Friday night, so I wouldn't stress about darkness this weekend. Just pick a fun spot and show off the moon in the telescope.

I don't have specific site recommendations that work well for kids last minute though.

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[Dave Bullock]

Yeah my plan was to look at the moon with the kiddos and then set an alarm to wake up around 3 to get some Milky Way photos. 

I have extensive camping/backpacking experience from scouts and doing SAR for 10 years.  My kids on the other hand have less! My oldest has been a few times. My youngest hasn’t been. 

On May 18, 2026, at 1:41 PM, Mitchell Koerner <mfko...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Joshua Hutchins]

If you are looking for a developed campsite (flush toilets and potable
water) for the upcoming weekend, you are pretty much out of luck
(especially as it is Memorial Day weekend) and will need to check
frequently (or use a tool that does that) for cancellations.

Generally, weekend nights at developed campgrounds within a reasonable
drive of the Bay Area fill up within a week of reservations becoming
available- and some go within hours or days. Less developed
campgrounds take longer to fill, but since it's Memorial Day weekend I
would count on everything being full.

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[Dave Bullock]

Yeah I set up an alert for both via the nps website.

> On May 18, 2026, at 3:06 PM, Joshua Hutchins <jdhu...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> If you are looking for a developed campsite (flush toilets and potable

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[Jacob Ellwood]

If you don't mind more rugged camping (no toilets), up HWY108 there are a few good spots that are first come first served. Or Dinky Creek wilderness East of Shaver Lake.

Jake

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[Aris Pope]

Try the CDSE list.

Aris

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[Dave Bullock]

How do I join that list? I can’t find it on Google.

On May 18, 2026, at 9:16 PM, Aris Pope <arispo...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Dave Bullock]

I was able to get a spot on Saturday and Sunday night at Manzanita Lake!  Any suggestions about where to set up? I am hoping I can do it from my campsite. 

Also found the CDSE list!

Thanks,

Dave 

[Aris Pope]

Sorry for the late response. Glad you were able to find CDSE. It should be a very nice weekend. I wish I could make it out for Astro myself but I have a two day golf tournament. 

Clear skies

Aris

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[Alex]

Cali campgrounds are rarely suitable for observing as they are eager to provide good sun shading. So I would scout around during the day time for a suitable spot away from roadways.

I've also missed if the LSA (Lake San Antonio) camping had been suggested. They have tons of sites on the overflow side used by CalStar. That would always be my pick for any spontaneous astronomy outing with a group/family. Minimal onsite amenities though (but some are accessible on more developed campgrounds).

The "CDSE advice" is not good, as we are rarely considering going to any developed campgrounds within 2-3 hours. No point.

This weekend is going to be super busy, especially with no permits in NPs, thanks to DC idiots. Good luck getting around in 2-3 hours.