Palomar Observatory Trail is a 4.5 mile out and back that connects the 1928 observatory with Observatory Campground. Palomar Observatory is owned and operated by Caltech and is currently closed to the public due to the pandemic. I guess they want to conduct their “compelling scientific investigations in astronomy and astrophysics” in private. Since you can’t park in the observatory parking lot (or anywhere close by) the only option is starting at Observatory Campground. Observatory Campground is owned and operated by the Cleveland National Forest and is also closed. You can, however, park on the side of the road and walk through the campground to the trailhead. The trail starts at 5,000 feet elevation and is shaded by beautifully overgrown oaks, cedars, pines and firs. Surrounded by acorns, pinecones, blue jays and lizards, it is the perfect hike for a two year old (even if the parents are the only ones doing the hiking).
Great photos! Loved this blog! Brought back great memories…as my parents used to take me there as a child to visit the observatory, and snow trips in the winter!! 🌲🌲🌲
Well then it was the perfect place to go on your birthday, Evelyn!
We, too, did the hike. Weren’t you a tad disappointed when you caught a glimpse of the observatory that you couldn’t go in? Such cool history there. I’ve been in Temecula (on and off) for 28 years and have only gone in once and that was with Tiger Cub Scouts… not the best situation to absorb info. The hike will have to do for now. I love that selfie of you and A1 looking up the tree. So great… all of the images, really. Keep sharing. Vicariously living through you babe.
Eric hasn’t been to the observatory so we will go back when it opens. But we were happy with the hike. Especially since it was so shaded.
Part of the reason we went was to check out the campgrounds in the area. I would love to camp there!