Driving to Palomar Observatory

Print info, directions & map – Visiting Palomar – Palomar Observatory public info: (760) 742-2119

The Observatory is located within the Cleveland National Forest on Palomar Mountain in North San Diego County at an elevation of 5,500 feet (1,675 meters) above sea level. Our street address is:

Palomar Observatory
35899 Canfield Road
Palomar Mountain
CA 92060-0200

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:

To reach Palomar Observatory from the Los Angeles or San Diego areas, 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.

To reach the Observatory from the Palm Springs Area, take Route 74 west to 371 south, then Route 79 east and south (toward Indio), then Route 76 west to S7 up to Palomar Mountain and after 11 miles (18 km) on S7 bear right onto S6 another 4.5 miles (7 km) to the Observatory parking lot.

Visitor parking is only available in the visitor parking lot; please keep left at the entry way. Sorry, but visitor overnight parking is not permitted at the Observatory, and the visitor parking lot will be closed and locked at approximately 3:30 pm Standard Time (4:30 pm Daylight Savings Time).

As you walk up the path to the P200 dome, the Greenway Visitor Center and Gift Shop will be on your right.

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

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

Special Notes

County Road S6 is a typical 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.
Winter storms usually mean snow and icy conditions on Palomar and generally, in these circumstances, tire chains are required by the Highway Patrol. Again, please drive with caution.
The Observatory will be closed if travel or other conditions are hazardous. Whenever possible our Public Information Recording phone number—(760) 742-2119—will be updated to reflect any closures.
Visitors are strongly urged to pay close attention to signs indicating the observatory's closure to visitors that may be posted on the bottom of South Grade Road (S6), East Grade Road (S7) and as the S6 "summit" location approximately 4.2 miles (6.7 km) south of the Observatory.
There are no service stations on Palomar Mountain. Check your fuel before driving to the Observatory.
Approximate driving times (non-rush hour) to the Observatory are:

From the Los Angeles area	3 hours
From downtown San Diego	2 hours
From Escondido	1 hour
From Temecula	1 hour

Map of Southern California and Palomar Observatory (Palomar Observatory/California Institute of Technology)

Current Information on Road Conditions

Please check the following links:

The California Environmental Resources Evaluation System (CERES).
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), phone 800-427-7623.
CHP Traffic Incident Information Page, click on San Diego for local incidents.
San Diego County Department of Public Works Valley Center Road Station, phone 760-510-2440, this number is only available Monday through Friday from 7 am – 4 pm.

Please send your feedback to palomar-info at astro.caltech.edu

Driving Directions / v 0
Last updated: 11 April 2014 ACM