Best Places Near Los Angeles To Watch The Geminids Meteor Shower
Hungering to witness a blaze of shooting fireballs spit straight out of the sky? You can't help but be thrilled by the coming of the Geminids meteor shower, the final major meteor shower and the most powerful of the year, on show through Dec. 17. Set to peak between sunset and sunrise in the greater Los Angeles area between Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, this ultimate light show from space requires viewing from a very dark location away from the glare of artificial lights. So, consider the following five places convenient to Los Angeles to settle in from a deck chair, or even from atop a blanket on the ground, before looking skyward. You'll be amazed at what you will see through your own two eyes.
Angeles National Forest
701 N Santa Anita Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 574-1613
www.fs.usda.gov
Choose a place along Highway 2 above La Canada Flintridge in Angeles National Forest where it's safe to pull over and take a seat on the grass for the Germinids spectacular. This meteor shower will be one to remember with the family or with your friends, the latter group of which may want to stay overnight. If so, choose to pull that all-nighter at Buckhorn Campground in Pearblossom, but be sure to show up as early as possible if you do, since this venue is first come, first-served.
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
200 Palm Canyon Drive
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
(760) 767-5311
www.parks.ca.gov
Bundle up for your Geminids adventure in or near Anza Borrego Desert Park, ranked by National Geographic magazine as the best state park in California. This is also where the darkness closes in for a perfect viewing of the Geminids. That said, if you're looking for a gentrified setting from which to enjoy the light show, check in at La Casa del Zorro, a popular haunt when meteors showers are on the agenda. Indeed, this legendary 42-acre resort adjacent to Anza Borrego even boasts a stargazing room from which to share the experience with other guests who have booked in for the same reason you did. Enjoy!
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree Lake RV and Campgrounds
2601 Sunfair Road
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
(760) 366-1213
www.joshuatreetheater.org
Those wannabe viewers who aim to make an overnight out of the Geminids meteor showers event at its peak will be thrilled to enjoy with like minds by reserving space at the Joshua Tree Lake RV and Campgrounds. This celebration gives the keen opportunity to take part in the festivities where complete darkness gives way to an amazing light show.
Parker Mesa Overlook
575 Los Liones Drive
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
For many locals who are eager to get out in the open to watch the meteor showers but aren't able to travel very far to see this splendor, consider the Parker Mesa Overlook. Situated in Pacific Palisades, this go-to site is a good spot for seeing the Geminids without having to make a big deal out of driving any great distance in order to do so.
Los Arboles Park
5101 Calle De Ricardo
Torrance, CA 90505
www.torrence.gov
If the night is clear enough, head on over to this fun park locals call Rocketship to do your meteor watching. You'll have to head up high so you can get above the Los Angeles Basin. During the day you can see from Santa Monica Bay to downtown, to the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains and, if all the conditions are just right, the Geminids during the prime days in December at night.
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