Palomar Observatory

Palomar Observatory is Caltech's public research observatory on Palomar Mountain, home of the 200-inch Hale Telescope. The A.W. Greenway Jr. Visitor Center and Visitors Gallery provide public exhibits, while guided Hale Telescope tours run on selected days; most public areas can be visited self-guided. Caltech's current visitor page lists 09:00-15:30 daily hours, but holidays, maintenance, severe weather and mountain road conditions can close the private research facility without advance notice. The dome gallery requires a 1,050-foot uphill path and 70 stairs and is not wheelchair accessible; check closure and driving guidance before the long mountain trip.