Mario EFH

Review of UCO/Lick Observatory

Returned from a second trip to Lick Observatory up...

Returned from a second trip to Lick Observatory up Mt.Hamilton. This place to me is a small treasure that not many have ventured out to see. It might not have the energy and excitement of Disneyland or a concert but it makes up for it with its magical sense of wonder. If you are not into small museums you probably won't like this place. If you don't like amazing views of mountain tops and nearby cities, you won't like this place. If you have no excitement for exploration, astrology and space in general, you won't like this place. But if you absolutely enjoy learning about the history of such a wonderful place, the many men and women behind it, the amazing astrological discoveries, the amazing view you get from the top of Mt.Hamilton and getting a chance to see two amazing and huge real life telescopes then treat yourself to a drive up the mountain. I recommend you try and plan your trip so that you arrive around 4pm, or roughly an hour before closing time which is typically around 5pm. In a about hour you should have plenty of time to look around, see both telescopes, walk through the gift shop, and enjoy a stunning sunset before descending back down the mountain. It's worth noting that the drive can be curvy and a bit narrow if you take Quimby over the mountain. In many cases it takes roughly the same amount of time to head towards Alum Rock and jump on 130 East until you reach the observatory.