Watch CBS News

Best Places To Go Star And Moon Gazing Near OC

observatory moon
(credit: shutterstock)

Earth’s sky provides some of the best entertainment throughout the summer. From shooting stars and meteor showers, including Perseids to constellations, like the Big Dipper, and full moon risings, the chance to catch the outer space show is brief, yet meaningful. Astronomers have been able to pinpoint exactly where to look up in the sky using the naked eye or the lens of a telescope. But living in the urban life, street and house lights often make it difficult to catch nature’s magnificence, however, Orange County's landscape lends itself quite well to stargaze by visiting local parks, nature preserves and observatories.

Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve
(credit: Jenny Y./Yelp)

Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve
Located in Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks
Hicks Haul Road off the 241
Irvine Ranch, CA
www.letsgooutside.org

Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve is located in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks which houses more than 50,000 acres of protected land, nature preserves and canyons. This summer, star gazers over the age of six years old are invited to a family friendly evening to capture the Perseids Meteor Shower on August 12 and August 14, 2015. Once gazers are pre-registered online for the docent-led program, they will journey along the paved Hicks Haul Road, which is about a two-mile walk gathering everyone away from the city’s lights. Along the way, docents lead an interactive activity to help explain the solar system. Then, it’s showtime. Participants will view the different stars and constellations as they watch meteors crossing the sky. Programs through Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve are free.

Crescent Bay Point Park (Shelby Barone)
(credit: Shelby Barone)

Crescent Bay Point Park
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 497-0716
www.orangecounty.net

Locals love to visit Crescent Bay Point Park and the Crescent Bay Beach for its quiet space and picturesque viewpoints. The park itself is quaint. Its grassy knoll is perfect for throwing down a blanket and chair to take in the stars, and its vantage point is high for viewers to take in incredible sights. Down below the park, Crescent Bay Beach is approximately a quarter mile of sandy beach, which offers stargazers a clear view of the sky without the PCH glare. Sea lions are often hanging out in the water. Parking is pretty easy to find and free on Crescent Bay Drive.

observatory moon stars
(credit: shutterstock)

Gordon D. Crowell Astrophysical Observatory
Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601
(562) 692-0921
www.riohondo.edu

Rio Hondo College, which serves the communities of Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, El Monte and Pico Rivera offers a comprehensive astronomy program studying celestial objects through computer guiding ground based and space based instruments. The school’s George D. Crowell Observatory has been open since 1972, but named for the college’s chemistry professor in ’78. The observatory features a Meade LX200GPS, 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, one of the largest offered to the public use, at no cost. This telescope gives the gift of viewing the universe, and the general public is invited on Friday nights at 8 p.m. to take advantage of looking through it at the sky to check out moons, planets and galaxies. Wear comfy shoes on the half-mile uphill walk to the observatory.

Related:  Best Universities In Orange County

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
(credit: Shutterstock)

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
200 Palm Canyon Drive
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
(760) 767-4205
www.abdsp.org

Astronomers recommend the best observing takes place in the darkest places. One of the more favorite spots that the Orange County Astronomers club prefers is the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. About a two hour drive from Orange County, Anza-Borrego is one of the best places to view the Milky Way, Venus, Jupiter, Leonid & Geminid showers and the Perseid shower. Amateur astronomers are encouraged to make a full night of it with comfy and warm clothes, blankets and chairs and some even pull out the inflatable mattress. Bring along binoculars, telescope and tripod and a tarp. The later in the night it gets, the chillier the air is.

Related: Best Outdoor Gear Stores In OC

Sheryl Craig is a writer with a passion for interesting finds and treasures in Los Angeles. She has a background in journalism and public relations. A mother of two daughters, Sheryl integrates her healthy lifestyle into raising her children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.