PSM2018 Logistics

Map of Southern California and Palomar Observatory. (Palomar/Caltech)

Palomar Logistics

Address

Driving Directions

This Google Maps link will do a good job of providing custom directions (see "Get directions").

Please be aware that some on-line and GPS programs can give incorrect directions to Palomar Observatory. We recommend consulting the Google Maps link given above.

If the Google link above doesn't help, please use the directions below.

From Los Angeles/Pasadena drive on 210 eastbound until Interstate 15. Take I-15 toward San Diego. Exit Interstate 15 at state highway 76 eastbound. Follow the signs to Palomar Mountain. Twenty five miles (40 km) from the interchange, County Road S6 (also known as South Grade Road) exits (5 miles/8 km past Valley Center Road) in a "Y" to the left and climbs to the Palomar summit. S6 ends at the Observatory gates.

We have road maps to help you find your way here:

• Southern California road map [jpg, pdf]
• Palomar Observatory on Google Maps

Sharing a Ride

Some participants have offered or requested carpooling to the Palomar PSM session from Pasadena. We have gathered and published a list of such participants with email contact information to facilitate carpooling. We will leave it to each participant in need of a ride to establish contact and arrange carpooling with someone who has graciously offered to drive to the Observatory.

Meeting Location

The PSM Palomar session will take place in the Palomar Outreach Center (the old Palomar Mountain School building), 880 feet (270 meters) outside the Observatory gates. On the right is a map that shows its location with respect other Observatory buildings. We request PSM participants park at the visitor parking lot (labeled with a P on the map). We will provide a shuttle from the parking lot to the OC.

Important Notes

• County Road S6 is a mountain road with many curves. Please drive carefully. Watch for fog, fallen rocks on the road, especially during and immediately after rainfall. Travel on Highway 76 and South Grade Road (S6) may be difficult during and just after rain events. Road closures and rock/mud slides are possible at these times.
• There are no gas stations on Palomar Mountain. Check your fuel before driving to the Observatory.
• Approximate driving times (non-rush hour) to the Observatory from Los Angeles/Pasadena is 3 hours.

Current Information on Road Conditions

Please check the following links:

• California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), phone 800-427-7623.
• Google map with traffic information.
• San Diego County Department of Public Works and scheduled road closures.

Cahill Logistics

Cahill Center/NE Corner

Address

The Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics is located on the South perimeter of the Caltech Campus, at 1216 E California Blvd, adjacent to the Keith Spalding Bldg and the Caltech athletic facilities (Google Maps link).

The Cahill center was designed by Thom Mayne's architectural firm Morphosis (see the Morphosis Cahill summary), and dedicated in January 2009. Most consider Cahill striking in its architecture, and is described as "impossible to miss" (and otherwise) in this architectural review in the Los Angeles Times.

Meeting Location

The PSM on-campus sessions will meet at the Hameetman Auditorium. It seats approximately 150, and is located on the first floor East side of Cahill.

Parking

Auto-Pay Kiosk/Parking Structure 3

For non-Caltech visitors, the biggest logistical issue will be parking.

Cahill is in close proximity (~50 m) to Caltech's Parking Structure #3. Parking in Structure 3 requires a parking pass—of either the Caltech or visitor variety. Visitor parking passes can be obtained at various places around campus—the most convenient being the auto-kiosk at the SE corner of Structure 3 (pictured right).

For more parking information please see:

• Caltech Parking Website
• Caltech Visitor Parking Instructions
• Caltech Parking FAQ
• Caltech Parking Zone Map (PDF)

Other Logistics Items

Here are some other items (e.g. dining, lodging, local attractions) that may facilitate or enrich your visit:

• Nearby lodging/accommodations (Google Maps search)
• On-campus dining: the Chandler Café, the Caltech convenience store, and the Red Door Marketplace are located near each other (map).
• Ernie's Al Fresco. Ernie's is a classic LA taco truck: it moves around. Here's the approximate schedule:
• 11:45a - 1:40p: East side of Human Resources Building
• 1:50p - 2:15: West side of Cahill
• 2:20p - 2:40: East side of Beckman Institute
• Nearby (off-campus) dining (Google Maps search)
• Pasadena visitors page (targeted at Pasadena visitors)
• Pasadena CA (various local resources/pointers for visitors and residents)