So where can I go see the stars without having to sleep in a tent?
June 15, 2009 7:52 AM Subscribe
So where can I go see this Milky Way you speak of? More specifically, where's an awesome local place to go see the stars if I'm based in Los Angeles and with a wife who doesn't camp?
Best answer: I have stayed in ski cabins in Wrightwood, CA which should be relatively cheap during the summer time. We would drive up to the parking lot of Mountain High ski resort for starwatching. There are tons of hiking trails, but many of them seem to close during the summer due to fire hazards.
I don't know if Wrightwood is considered "local" - it's about a 90 minute drive from downtown LA.
posted by muddgirl at 8:12 AM on June 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
I don't know if Wrightwood is considered "local" - it's about a 90 minute drive from downtown LA.
posted by muddgirl at 8:12 AM on June 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Joshua Tree Natl. Park (http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/stargazing.htm) has some awesome / unobstructed views of the night sky. They even have star watching parties a few times a year. There are hotels 15 - 20 minutes down the road.
posted by cwarmy at 8:24 AM on June 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by cwarmy at 8:24 AM on June 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
Take a cruise. You really can't beat being in the middle of the ocean for seeing the stars.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 8:27 AM on June 15, 2009
posted by Confess, Fletch at 8:27 AM on June 15, 2009
Fletch, doesn't the cruise ship lights block out a lot of that? It seems like (from photos, i've never been on one) they're floating Las Vegases nowadays.
posted by Wink Ricketts at 8:29 AM on June 15, 2009
posted by Wink Ricketts at 8:29 AM on June 15, 2009
Best answer: Nthing Joshua Tree. I used to live right up the highway in 29 Palms, and some of the night views out there are truly sublime.
posted by Pecinpah at 8:31 AM on June 15, 2009
posted by Pecinpah at 8:31 AM on June 15, 2009
West Texas, down around Marfa. OR do a Google search for "Dark Sky"
posted by Raybun at 8:48 AM on June 15, 2009
posted by Raybun at 8:48 AM on June 15, 2009
Cruising (you said pun-free, right?) rules out telescopes and astrophotography, as well.
posted by tapesonthefloor at 8:49 AM on June 15, 2009
posted by tapesonthefloor at 8:49 AM on June 15, 2009
Best answer: Though cruise ships are lit up most of the day and night, overnight (like 3AM) most things are turned way down and it is a site to behold. Go to the forward part of the ship, where the light is least so that it doesn't interfere with those steering/driving the ship. Really incredible view.
posted by tommccabe at 9:07 AM on June 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by tommccabe at 9:07 AM on June 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
Just to underscore furtive's comment: the moon makes a tremendous difference in what you can see. Either go when it's a new moon, or when the moon will have set (or not yet risen) by the time you want to observe.
Also, bring binoculars. Totally worth spending some money on.
posted by kiltedtaco at 9:46 AM on June 15, 2009
Also, bring binoculars. Totally worth spending some money on.
posted by kiltedtaco at 9:46 AM on June 15, 2009
The cruise ship might be lit up but there are no cities just over the horizon making the whole sky glow.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:58 AM on June 15, 2009
posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:58 AM on June 15, 2009
Response by poster: We've done 7 cruises. Unfortunately they leave the lights on, so there's no way to see the stars, even late at night.
posted by Lord_Pall at 11:49 AM on June 15, 2009
posted by Lord_Pall at 11:49 AM on June 15, 2009
Inyo Mountains...stay near Bishop or Big Pine & drive east on Hwy 168 on a clear, moonless night. The road is curvy so drive carefully, but you can get to a good spot in 30 minutes or so. you'll have to let your eyes adjust to the dark for a while once you've turned out your headlights and gotten out of the car. In the daytime you can go for a hike at the Bristlecone Pines and see the oldest tree on earth!
posted by kms at 3:06 PM on June 15, 2009
posted by kms at 3:06 PM on June 15, 2009
the 2 cruises I've done they turned all the lights off...but then they were on an aircraft carrier..never mind...
posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:36 PM on June 15, 2009
posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:36 PM on June 15, 2009
Hey I'm glad you asked cause I'm looking for a good place in LA too. What about the santa monica mountains, by the rich folks;)... Without being hassled by cops? Maybe going up near griffith observatory?
posted by In Heaven at 1:36 AM on June 19, 2009
posted by In Heaven at 1:36 AM on June 19, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Lord_Pall at 7:52 AM on June 15, 2009