Hi from a new member! Location suggestions

[Sri Hari Anne]

Hi all,

Recently I joined TAC and I'd like to introduce myself. I am a grad student from India, I came to the U.S two years ago, and I recently moved to the bay area. I have always been interested in astrophotography and I have some gear with me. 

Before moving to Santa Clara, I used to live in Folsom, and I always went to Ice House Observation Point for stargazing and astrophotography. The location was convenient, close and peaceful. I'm looking to find a place near Bay area that is similar.

I want to know about some dark places that are safe to visit because I mostly go alone. Looking forward to knowing and learning from the people here.

Thank you! 

Sri Hari

[Mitchell Koerner]

Welcome to TAC! The website has some good observing site suggestions at https://observers.org/observing-sites/

I'm also relatively new (joined TAC 6 months ago or so) and in Sunnyvale, so pretty close to you. Here are a few sites to learn more about

very close options:

Your yard, front porch, or a friend's house

30min-1hr drive:

Montebello (see website for instructions)

Henry Coe Overflow lot (see website for instructions) - slightly darker than Montebello, but may be farther

Peninsula Astronomical Society has a site up in the foothills but I haven't visited yet

San Jose Stargazing Club is also near you, but I haven't worked with them yet

1hr-2hr drive:

Freemont peak (haven't visited)

Pinnacles West (haven't visited)

Tri Valley Stargazers sites (see their website for requirements) - Lake Del Valle & H20

3+hr:

Consider joining California Dark Sky Enthusiasts to use their research on sites (can't discuss locations here)

IHOP is back on the menu too at this distance, but there are darker options at the same distance by targeting HW108 (quicker way to get to Sierra Nevada from here) or going beyond Pinnacles to the south. Consider CDSE or Clear Dark Sky for inspiration on sites to try out at this distance.

Hopefully this helps get you started with some things to look into

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[Ted Hauter]

I liked Crestview Park. San Carlos. They had a street light blocked by the city that would have otherwise lit (at eye leve) the entire parking (observing) lot directly up the hill from it.

I consider this accomplishment up there with the great astro shows and venues of years past.

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[James Webster]

Hi Sri,

There is a private observatory, in the Sierra foothills that I went to on regular basis. I quit going because the last 1/10 mile of the road was too rough. I took a lot of gear, and large aperture telescopes. If you are imaging and not taking a lot of gear that would be a small hike. The sky is very dark. The road may be drivable now. Some renowned observers were regulars there. I can't give the location online and it is not to be published but if you email me I'll give you directions. My email is fiddl...@aol.com.

James Webster 

On Thu, Mar 13, 2025, 3:41 PM Sri Hari Anne <annesri...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Mark Scrivener]

Hi Sri,

The darkest place within 2.5-3 hours is Lake San Antonio - Bortile 2ish. TAC has two star parties there a year (one coming up in April), but it is a public park and you can go there anytime (and people from this group often do).

For Bortle 1 skies, the closest location is about 6 hours north - Likely Place in Likey, CA. Great place, but a bit far for regular visits.

You might want to consider joining SJAA as well, as SJAA coordinates access to some nearby locations like Mendoza ranch that aren't normally open to the public.

Mark

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[Brad Templeton]

From your location, you can find various Bortle 4 in the SC mountains.   If you join PAS and pay their Oak Ridge Observatory fee you can go there, and use their 16" and dome as well for long focal length work (it's an SCT.)

You can also book with the open space authority to use some spaces on skyline and Page Mill. You must reserve in advance.  They will give you the combination to keep the space private. (Many of us have the combination but in theory you need a permit with you in case they come to ask you questions.)   Bortle 4, not as dark as Oak Ridge.

The closest Bortle 3 (barely) is Dinosaur Point.  It's just over 1 hour drive from you.    It's gated though so you have to go to the upper parking lot, which can get light from random people driving up, and there is some to the north from the highway.   Your main focus there is south, which is where it's Bortle 3, and a bit west.    East will have central valley, west will have Gilroy, North is not to bad but not Bortle 3.

Another location, just a bit further drive is down the Airline highway south of Hollister.  Problem is, I have yet to identify a good private site.

But if you're doing emission nebula, of course, you can use your Bortle 8 backyard with some good filters.

[Sri Hari Anne]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. Will start with Montebello (1 hour) and Lake San Antonio (2.5 hours) on new moons. A couple of questions though.

1. How do I make the reservation for Monte bello? Do I ask them for a specific location within the preserve? Is there a usual spot?

2. Do I need a camping reservation and pay to access the overflow lot at Lake San Antonio? Who do I talk to?

[Mark Scrivener]

Hi Sri,

For LSA you just show up and pay at the kiosk. Quite often when I get there the kiosk is unstaffed and it is self-serve. I've never needed a reservation, though sometimes I will call ahead just to make sure there isn't some event using the overflow space. But yes, you still pay for camping even if you are at the overflow. 

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[Mitchell Koerner]

Montebello permits: https://www.openspace.org/where-to-go/permits/after-hours-astronomy-permit

A note to the TAC webmaster - we should probably link this on observers website.

P.S. to Sri - I'd highly recommend you at least try out both Montebello and Henry Coe overflow lot for your close option (you call or email the ranger for Coe one as laid out in https://observers.org/henry-coe/ ) since it sounds like you're close to equidistant from both and both are amazing but unique spots with different advantages.

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[Sri Hari Anne]

Thank you Mark

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[Sri Hari Anne]

Hi Mitchell,

I just realised this. Henry Coe is not that far away, and from what I read, it seems to be safe and dark, So I will try Montebello and Henry Coe before I go all the way to LSA.

Thanks,

Sri Hari

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[Brad Templeton]

Many like Coe, but the drive to it is a long winding road, so it actually takes a similar time than the drive to Dinosaur Point.       Dino has darker skies to the South, Coe probably has darker skies to the east -- it's been a while since I have been there.    Dino has wind in the summer.       The downside is that the upper lot (which is the only one you can get to after dark) is in sight of the distant highway and sometimes people will come to the lot to do observing and they don't know to turn off their lights coming in.  This is common during "events" like a comet or meteor shower that's been in the press.    I have considered making a sandwich board I could put out to semi-block the entrance saying, "LIGHTS OFF, Astrophotography in progress.   Have a pedestrian guide you in."

In theory you need to pay a park fee to park there, and I have a park pass, but I've never seen them ask.   Coe also has a fee.

Note that Coe and Dino are 1 hour destinations so you can go, observe, and make it home after.   LSA and Pinnacles are more camping locations for bay area people at 2 to 2.5 hours.      Montebello is a 30 minute location for the south bay, so easy to get home.  However, it has a fair bit of glow from the bay.   Sempervirens point has darker skies to the South and West, but it is technically closed after dark.  The cops will kick you out on weekends.  They may not come by on weeknights.   A group of muscle car owners tries to rally there on weekends and the cops come to kick them out and they also kick out the astronomers.    There are other locations with the same issue.

The main downside of Montebello, other than the glow from the valley, is that you do have to get your permit in advance.  Officially a few days, but in practice often same day.  But you can't officially "just pop up there because the sky looks good" which would be ideal.    Oak Ridge observatory would be the best place for that if want to pay the fee and get a place that's 35 minutes away.

Next time I am considering experimenting with this location:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/kqh3eieJpHAe1tiGA

It's quite dark, it's  1 hour 10 minutes (just a bit more than Coe) and it's in the middle  of a dry wash, so I am not sure if anybody owns it or would kick you out.  But I've never tried.   That's about the limit of how far to go if not camping.   I also considered the San Benito county fairgrounds but they said no, but forgiveness might be easier than permission.

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[Alex]

Welcome to the party Ash! In addition to many good suggestions above, I would also recommend to watch for OI (Observing Intent) posts on this list, esp. around the NM, and join a small group instead of wandering in the dark alone. At least for the starter. That's not only safer, but also helpful for a newcomer to get oriented around.

[Ted Hauter]

Another good aspect of Crestview is the open treeless view over the soccer field to the south and south west. Besides 280 Freeway, there is nothing that direction in the way of lights clear out to the ocean. The small lot is also a roundhi about around beautiful redwoods to keep speeds to 5 mph. The sidewalks are large and accomidating. After soccer ⚽️ it's game on for night 🌙.

On Tue, Mar 18, 2025, 11:33 AM Alex <alex.k...@gmail.com> wrote:

Welcome to the party Ash! In addition to many good suggestions above, I would also recommend to watch for OI (Observing Intent) posts on this list, esp. around the NM, and join a small group instead of wandering in the dark alone. At least for the starter. That's not only safer, but also helpful for a newcomer to get oriented around.

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[Ted Hauter]

One couple would drive 60 miles from East Bay to come see our San Mateo group there. Through the years we had some unforgettable nights. It's usually clear and transparency can be quite good. The Milky Way can be seen amazingly to the south. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the best Bortle 6 zone in the U.S.