UCO/Lick Observatory Review

Always very nice place to visit. But closed because of the wildfire now.

Take your family and definitely engage your kids in this place.

lick observ is a place where history was made; not to mention 336 corners of bliss

It's an awesome place to come. But driving to the observatory needs time and carefulness. Check official site first to see if there's any event you want to join. Or in winter, you could come for snow if you live in south area and don't want to drive a long way to Tahoe.

This is an amazing place to visit, you can actually see the inside of the original observatory. There is a ton to do here if you like museums and watching historical presentations on the TVs.

Has 128 years old, world's 2nd largest refractory type telescope

We arrived finally there after the long and widing road. We saw the quite beautiful sight. Tour of big reflection telescope is also good.

Love the place. The only place in San Jose which has snow in February. So much history with this place. I wish I could go in April to see through the big telescope.

There's a free tour by knowledgeable, passionate folks. History and science buffs will love it but others might just enjoy the view (which is magnificent). Don't plan on staying up top for more than an hour or two and you won't be bored.

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.

Excellent drive to reach the observatory with short roads and turns. The view is amazing from the top

Fantastic views. It was a great place for me to nerd out and have a great day. I wish I could have been there during a viewing session to look through the telescope.

Nice view and also very enjoyable drive to get there

Lick observatory is cool but it is an hour drive. There is little to go around. But it is worth seeing the city from the mountain!

Beautiful place to visit. Loved the "Quiet, Astronomers sleeping" signs outside the dorms.

We had such a great "Evening with the Stars for Google" at Lick Observatory! First a history lecture, followed by a science lecture by Dr. Alex Filippenko. Then ample viewing opportunities through the 36-inch Great Refractor and the 40-inch Nickel Telescope with volunteers giving interesting background information. The evening ended with stargazing in the backyard where amateur astronomers had set up ground telescopes to view various cosmic objects. Truly an amazing night!

Knowledgeable, helpful, friendly staff and some cool exhibits including a large telescope; and to top it off, awesome views!

There's not too much to do up here, and the windy drive up to the observatory is long, but the view from up here is pretty nice.

The observatory is small and there are actually two sections you can explore. Both are a short walk from each other.

While you're at the observatory at the top of the hill, they do presentations on the telescope every so often. So you can look out for that. It's a the end of the hallway. Turn right as you walk in.

There is plenty of parking up here, and there's cute things you can get in the gift store.

BTW, come here in the afternoon, they are not open at night :) Unless you're a VIP member or something like that and they're holding an event for their members.

Want to attend an evening event to look through the telescopes? Tickets are available to the public, no membership required.

If you are driving 2 MPH on Mount Hamilton Rd. And you notice a dozen freakin cars behind you and no one in front? Please do the convoy a favor. Turn into one of many pullouts along the route and let them pass. This little act of kindness will build your Karma points and keep road ragers from trying to pass you on the treacherous winding solid lined road.

Well worth half a Saturday to visit. One lane roads with "100" switchbacks are not for the squeamish. Tour gives a very interesting history lesson.

Hard to believe this event is free.

Parking seems like it could quickly run out.

The tour gives a very interesting historical lesson and makes you appreciate the founder. Even by modern standards the telescope is a very impressively large piece of equipment.

They also offer some opportunities to sign up to actually look through the scope at night. Hard to get tickets.

Awesome location.. narrow roads, careful while driving.. Two telescopes.. one for educational purposes and paid summer tours.. visitors are allowed to go near the with free tour.. another telescope for real space watch, visitor allowed to see this.. you have to buy summer tour tickets to see through the small telescope..

The drive up is the best part..the parking lot has a nice view.

Bicycled up here from WG in '73 at 25, and very difficult ride on my ItalVega brown and Chrome (stolen in Ville Quebec Canada)w no shoulder and very steep, but we 3 did it dangerously up and down!

The Observatory visit is a great place to get a little history on the life of mr. Lick and also to see the Endeavor man to peer into deep space.

The Mount Hamilton Lick Observatory is a beautiful place to visit, but unfortunately, parts are wheelchair inaccessible. My first visit to Lick Observatory was just after a weird Bay Area snow storm and a buddy wanted to go see the snow. Since that trip up Mount Hamilton, I have gone up several times to see Lick Observatory or just for a beautiful place for a picnic.

We love this place and use to go for talks and also just to see the view of San Jose from the top.

Such a testimony to hard working scientists. Love the history and the current research being done!

Amazing facility with awesome view of the Bay Area.

Very scary drive up to the Observatory, so please, take your time and be aware of the cyclists sharing the road. It can be chilly up at the Observatory, so dressing in layers is advised.
On a clear day you can see the Bay Bridge, San Francisco and the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge
Be sure and take the tour to see the telescopes- it's a short talk but very interesting.

This place is cool for all ages, you get to see the second biggest refractory telescope ( built in 1880) and an awesome view from 4000 feet. Stay till the sunset, as the domes get lit up with the fading sun in hues of pink and orange. Quiet and serene place to spend a couple of hours with friendly staff and beautiful view. And all of this for free. They also have summer events, with a fee, for night watching with lectures and concerts for the curious minds. Highly recommended!

Here on Feb 21 2019 and it was freezing cold and plenty of snow left from the recent storm. Visitor was open so we had a chance to see many interesting photos and facts about this place. Prepare to deal with very winding and narrow road.

I went there as a kid while Saturn was in view. Our dad wanted us to be sure and see it. Ill never forget for as long as I live. Im 62 now, and was 8y/o when we visited. the other memory I have is when my older brother and his friend locked me in the mens bathroom, and a man walked out of the stall. Fortunately the man let me out. lol What a great education, it spurred me on to learn science and math as an adult. Fascinating place to visit. Check ahead of time to see if any planets are in view. Saturn was more beautiful than Ive even seen in any photos. Ill remember it forever. HIGHLY recommended

Beautiful view and great ride up in a motorcycle. Great spot if you are around San Jose. They give an interesting free tour.

Excellent scenic road, great for motorcycling. Incredible views at the observatory.

Great views, interesting exhibits about the history of the observatory as well as the equipment.

I'm really surprised by all the high ratings. I kind of hate to add something negative, but think it's important in case other families are making decisions about whether to go. Yes, the views on the way up and at the top of the mountain are beautiful, but that has nothing to do with the observatory itself. The building is old and outdated and the exhibits consist mainly of black and white pictures. (The facility likely works great for the college students and employees that work and study there, but I'm reviewing this while considering it as a "visitor center"). My 6-year old was super excited for the chance to look through any of the telescopes, but no one was allowed to look through the telescopes. (Chabot space center in Oakland gladly helped my son climb a ladder to peer through their telescopes and pointed out various planets and stars). Sure I shouldn't have assumed we'd be able to use the telescopes, but what exactly does Lick observatory offer if there's no opportunity to look through the telescopes? Just a musty old facility. We weren't even allowed in the room with the telescope when the docent wasn't there. Anyway, super disappointing experience greatly worsened by the incredibly long drive up. Highly recommend Chabot in Oakland for the kids.

This is a hidden treasure in bay area, I wish it continues to hide from tourists

Out of this world! Totally worth the time and money to get here!

One of the best views of the Bay Area and valley to the east can be seen from Mt Hamilton. On a clear Winter day, if you're lucky, sometimes you can see the snow-capped tops of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. When I first saw this as a child, it was magical and I almost didn't believe my eyes. It was astounding to think I could see something so far away.

The peak is 4,265 feet in elevation, so it does snow up here sometimes in Winter. Also look out for black ice on the road.

When planning your trip, keep in mind:



Some of the trees up here mist/drip a lot of sap during hot summer days. You may not notice until you're trying to get the tangles out of your hair later and wonder why it's so sticky.

The closest gas station is about 20 miles away.

The road (State Route 130 from San Jose) is very narrow & has lots of twists and turns. It was originally built as a road for a horse-drawn carriage to bring supplies up the mountain, so when it was paved for cars, there was barely enough room for 2 lanes. Some parts of 130 are designated as 2 lanes, but with each "lane" being laughably narrow --there's only enough room for 2 cars to pass each other if they go very slowly & carefully. Some parts of the road have no guard rail & some bends are around the edge of a sheer cliff, so DRIVE CAREFULLY. (NOT RECOMMENDED FOR INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS). There are also a few sections that have inconveniently-located bumps or potholes, so be aware of the road. If you don't feel comfortable going as fast as an approaching car behind you, there are spots to pull off the side of the road (though no shoulder). Also be aware that avid bicyclists sometimes challenge themselves with this route + there is no bike lane, so share the road & drive carefully. Allow cars to pass on straight-aways. Proceed with caution around blind corners.

Amazing sunset views & intense red light cast from golden hour to sunset (great for photography) but no restrooms open after the visitor's center lobby closes at 5pm.

Great place to view meteor showers, particularly the Perseids when the weather is clear. Just please be respectful of the fact that people live and work up here 24/7 (be quiet and leave the place in the same condition you found it ). If you watch the telescope that's open all night (Shane 3-meter telescope) during the peak of an active meteor shower, the dome is open and you can see the telescope rotate slightly every few minutes to follow the apparent radiant of the meteor shower. They seem to be watching the exact same thing!

Rattlesnakes are sometimes found up here. There are also mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, tarantulas & other types of snakes in the surrounding wilderness, but predatorial mammals generally don't wander onto the actual Observatory grounds.

If you're interested in touring the inside, the last tour is at 4:30pm. @ 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 & 4:30 a tour guide gives a (free) talk in the 36-inch Great Refractor dome. Their website says Sunday - Thursday. The rest of the visitor center has lots of things to look at, but it's basically self-guided with no tour guide. The Shane 3-meter visitor gallery is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vending machines, water fountain & restrooms are open in the main building seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

They now have Public Evening Tours where you can look through the telescope on Sundays & Thursdays on selected dates between April to October. They're sold out for 2018 already. Check ucsctickets.com in the future. Tickets are $75/person (up to 40 people per tour). No children under the age of 8.

I'm not from California, but I can't imagine many places in the Bay Area that has as great a view as the Lick Observatory/Mount Hamilton. To the west, you can see the Silicon Valley, parts of the San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. In other directions, you can see the rest of the very golden (at least when I was there) Diablo Range. The drive up to the observatory is pretty scary, but worth it.

Discovering rocky exoplanets with robotic telescopes is also pretty cool, I guess.

A great place for all inquisitive people, from young to old! Also, from the observation platform of the observatory you will discover stunning views of the valley, the mountain hills. And certainly, the sunset, which you will see from this place, will be remembered for a long time by you and your companions!

Beautiful observatory, tons to learn there, and great views from the mountain.

Awesome place located in a remote area east to San Jose, from which you can have nice views.

Great place to visit. Very nice drive up the windy mountain road. The view alone is worth the journey.

The main building contains two refractor telescropes. The iconic 36 inch refractor and a smaller 12 inch version. The larger one is displayed hourly. Great presentation of the whole story.

Besides the historic telescopes there're some more modern reflectors up there. The large 120 inch version can be viewed by the public too. Quite an impressive sight.

My favorite ride in the bay is up my Hamilton to this ending at the Lick. Very rewarding.

Fun place to visit. On good air day you can see forever.

As a teenager my parents took a wrong turn on vacation and we saw a sign for the Lick Observatory. Armed with a strong sense of adventure our family decided to find out what the observatory was about and ended up creating one of our best memories. I'll warn you that you need a strong stomach and good driver to make it up the hair-pin turn packed road to Lick. If you aren't the one driving the scenery is amazing. When you get there you'll awaken the inner science geek as you learn about how Lick spent his fortune building the most modern observatory of the time. His story is an American legacy that should inspire and awe anyone. I'll always cherish being able to bring my daughter to the observatory at the same age I was when I first visited. One of my next goals is to visit the observatory at night when you can actually see through the telescope. I think I'll need to hire a better driver for that road.

Biked up there this Memorial Day, and the temperatures registered 99.5'F at the top. The cold water fountains and vending machines provide some desperate refreshment after that ordeal. The nice AC, the exhibits, the gift shop and serene atmosphere at the top are a great way to ponder on your accomplishment-

It s always a breath taking adventure when I m way up at Lick Observatory! I had an amazing voyage through the fierce canyons of the Diablo Mountain Range on highway 130 to the top of Mount Hamilton and I am proud to say that I visited the legendary James Lick Observatory at the very top and explored the universe and world from up there. The observatory was constructed between 1876 and 1887, from a bequest from James Lick of $700,000 (approximately $22.5 million in 2018 US dollars today!) Lick, who was originally a carpenter and piano maker, chose the site atop Mount Hamilton and was buried there in 1887 under the site of what is now today known as The Great Lick 91-centimeter (36-inch) refractor, with a brass tablet bearing the inscription, "Here lies the body of James Lick". It s also the highest point in the entire Bay Area, making it truly a gem! I highly recommend anyone to come to Mount Hamilton. It is the best and greatest astronomical observatory, owned and operated by the University of California. You will honestly forget about visiting the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. Unlike LA, the James Lick Observatory sits at an altitude much higher than of Griffith s, so therefor there is absolutely no air pollution and nothing but Mother Nature s beauty and pure fresh air, high above the nasty layer of air quality above Silicon Valley. May this place go on for eternity and bless other people s lives as it did to mine.

Cheers

Sincerely, Omaid

Cool place, but it's a really tough drive to get up there.

Awesome views with serene surroundings. Lovely atmosphere on the weekends. Drive up there can be little strenuous but worth a visit. Awesome place to visit if you are in the neighborhood.

I would like to know this nice place to do a tour ... thanks for your help

dude, its a observatory...drive up there and check out the amazing view.

Amazing views from the area, and plenty of place to walk around. We enjoyed the main building, and the short walk to the 120-inch Shane building. The tour of the 36-inch Great Lick Refractor was fantastic, and the guide, Keith was great. We spent more than 4 hours in total at the observatory, and it seemed short.

Nice gift shop with astronomy themed gifts and shirts. And they sell coffee!

We brought our lunch and ate behind the observatory in the garden. Don't forget to try the water from the drinking fountain... it's fresh from the spring up there, and ice cold. People were filling their bottles with it.

Yes, the road there is crazy; winding all over the place and tight curves, steep slopes... but just go slow at your own pace... it's worth it to visit such a wonderful place. If someone is driving close behind you , there are places you can pull over so they can pass... no problem. Just look out for the bikes, and give them plenty of room.

The observatory was closed when I went. It looks amazing at the top. Awesome driving experience. Going up was challenging in some places because of steep drop offs. Going down was a lot easier and a lot more fun, as it was on the side of the land mostly.

Closed to the public during Covid but still worth driving up for the views. The drive is not for the faint of heart. Still smells strong like extinguished fire months after it was put out. Better water. Use restrooms at Joseph D. Grant Park.

Aside from the fantastic Observatory itself, this location offers some spectacular views of the valley.

Took the trip up on a recommendation from a friend that the road would be fun to drive; it certainly didn't disappoint. The view from the observatory was breathtaking as well, not to mention the views from the drive up and down. The observatory itself does free tours of the 36" refractor which are worth the fifteen minutes to hear about how the complex was built and the history of the science conducted there. There's also a small gift shop that the observatory uses to fund the tours and public displays. Overall would recommend as a nice afternoon trip from anywhere in the bay area.

Take the time to get there, drive slow the road is curvy. Learn and appreciate the place and everything that is done there, enjoy the place and enviroment.

One hour travel time. Over 4,000 feet in elevation (bring a coat), and amazing views. This is the oldest permanently occupied observatory in the world, which also happens to have it's founder buried beneath the Great Lick 36in refractor telescope. Built by James Lick in 1888 for $700,000 atop Mt. Hamilton, this observatory was a pioneer in the science of astronomy, and is now run by the University of California. They placed this telescope on a mountain, instead of in a city, with the idea that there would be less atmospheric interference, and they were right! Just like that, modern astronomical observation was invented. The drive up is truly enjoyable, and once there the view is so engaging that you will stare out at the hills and the cities below. There is no food or gas up there. They have a gift shop, coffee and some snack machines. They are open 12 to 5PM, so no need to rush up. The road is narrow and twisty. Watch out for cars in the other direction as well as all the bicyclist going up and down. It's quiet up there, except when some idiot drives their loud motorcycle up. Otherwise you can hear birds and the wind. There are tables between buildings where you can have lunch away from the wind. There are water fountains and restrooms. They show the Great Refractor on the half hour. You can also walk over to another telescope and look through the window at that one. The drive isn't too long, so spend some time taking pictures and staring at the beauty. It is so close to San Jose, and like James Lick, I can see the observatory from my home. Extremely recommended!

As a pilot I frequently fly pass Lick observatory and this is the very first time I set my foot on the premises, what a stunning panorama view of the Bay from southeast!!! Breath taking and beyond words can describe. A great weekend getaway to enjoy the beauty of the world we live. Just half hour drive from busy silicon valley. Treat yourself by visiting the domes of the telescopes and get closer to stars and the heaven, won't be disappointed!!!

This observatory is significant scientifically and historically for several reasons (detailed on the tours). Experiencing the view of so many manual and automatic telescopes, including the automated planet finder, and of the entirety of Silicon Valley, is a trip worth the long and windy roads. The Lick telescope is an amazing machine, as is the observatory building it's located in. The volunteers and scientists are great!

Superb atmosphere and very welcoming service. The meals were crisp and delicious. Will clearly recommend this place to my friends. Convenient prices and big meals. Great work.

COVID-19 issue, it doesn't open, but the view stills good.

Yes it may be one of the best observatories, but is it worth climbing there ? There is not much to see.

Fabulous view, excellent ride and very interesting visit of the Observatory itself.

Beautiful location. One can have a fabulous view of the Valley

Awesome views of the valley and surrounding hills. Observatory opens at noon and has a free talk about the oldest telescope there. Interesting history and intro to astronomy exhibits.

Very cool piece of history. It is awesome that this place is free to visit. Well worth the drive.

Situated on top of Mount Hamilton is the Lick observatory. I must say what a beautiful place it is! Standing there you have an unobstructed view of the South bay, and on a good nite you can actually see the Milky Way! Granted the drive is a little hard given all the turns, but once you are there you will be greatly rewarded!

Visited this place on New year's day. The drive up was beautiful. We were able to see the telescope. The story of this observatory was fascinating.
It was below zero Celsius when we went .By the time we left , ice had formed on the tree leaves and was falling out. Saw a deer and a coyote on the way back. Will visit again in summer to see through the telescope. Wasn't able to do it this time. During summer we can get appointments to use the telescope. On a clear day this is an amazing place to see stars.

This drive definitely isn t for the faint of heart! Super winding roads with really steep inclines at times, and it does get a bit treacherous towards the end. The drive is beautiful (if you are able to look away for one second), and the views from the observatory parking lot are great. The observatory itself is interesting (probably more so if you re an astronomy fan), but we didn t spend more than about 30 minutes browsing the information on the inside. There is a pretty courtyard and some other outdoor areas, so it d be nice to pack a picnic to have when you reach the observatory. Otherwise, there are only a couple basic vending machines for food up there.

Best place to go if you are an explorer with specific taste for antronomy/astrophysics. This place is heaven. This is an establishment comprising of a rare refracting telescope which is still functional. There are talks in the afternoon and a show for looking into the insides of the telescope.

The outside view is spectacular with scenic mountain ranges. This place is at the apogee of the hills. Everything is open to public. Your trip up the hill for 1-2 hrs wont be a waste.

Awesome place to ride to. Loved the twisties.
Views are breathtaking and you can do the mini tour inside.
Check out the gift shop.
Plenty of bicycles too and people came in a couple sports cars.
The rest rooms are clean and there is water which helps after a ride to rehydrate. The history of the place is amazing considering that a moon of Jupiter was discovered from here.
Highly recommend it as a quick stop over.

Spectacular road to the place, and views are excellent. Have been two times here already and will go again!

Extremely rude uptight people. Cool facility with amazing telescope but UCSC ownership has brought in the klowns.

The trip up the mountain is intense, but awesome views and an enjoyable history lecture

One of my favorite spots to go to with the family. The best view of San Jose from this mountain top. The observatory is a very nice place to visit and it is free. Make sure you checkout the visiting hours because you don't want to drive all the way up this scary , butt clinching, winding, narrow, tire screeching, cliff hanging right hairpin turns required. Seriously, there is a right turn, more than 150 degrees that will make your tires squeal. My husband loves the sheet and is the only one that will drive us there. PLEASE SHARE THE ROAD WITH THE BICYCLIST!

Fantastic and historical place right here in the Bay Area. All the telescopes are fantastic and marvellous piece of ingenuity and technology. Apart from the telescopes, lots of engineering and technological things to see and appreciate, like the platform that completely raises/lowers. Due to its elevation, the observatory can get cold on most days.

The ride up is a bit scarey, due to often narrow road with steep drop offs on one side. Cyclists make it even more intenae, aa they love the ride. Views on the trip up are wonderful, rural and surpassed only by the view from the top. You cwn see vast amounts of the Bay Area. Inside is more to absorb, learn and be in awe of. History lives and there is much to see & learn. A true treasure!!!

Scary going up, scary going down. Telescope was not working, and the building design was pretty old school. I would not recommend going here, because it is not really worth it.

At about 4000ft, this observatory has fantastic views around the Bay area.

I've visited Lick observatory many times, it never disappoints. It is still a pioneer observatory in space research. The drive up to the observatory is nice and winding, road gets pretty narrow at times but manageable. The 36" refractor telescope is a must see. A new Automated Planet Finder (APF) is also a latest addition to the already existing 9 or so telescopes. View of the bay area from the observatory is awesome ! Must visit ..

Amazing. A place to discover our universe or simply take a break and contemplate the beauty of the city from the mountains.

There was snow up there! Great views. But the road there is looking and winding.