Tag: Places

Gaze up at the stars from one of these Bay Area vantage points.

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Billy Goat Hill

Billy Goat Hill is Insta-famous for its elevated swing set and expansive views of San Francisco. Four hundred feet above sea level, this urban green spot also offers an excellent vantage point to a starry night—be it from the steps, a picnic table, or mid-swing. Parking can be tricky, especially along Ladley Street. Opt to hug the curb on Beacon Street. // 2442 Castro St. (Glen Park), sfrecpark.org

Editors’ tips:

• For an extra hit of cardio, Billy Goat Hill offers a great place to stair climb.
• The swing is only meant to hold one person at a time—so don’t test your luck.

Hawk Hill

One of the most serene slices of the city, Hawk Hill is popular among yogis and meditation junkies. Nearly 1,000-feet above the Pacific, it is also among the highest points in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and is accessible via a trying bike ride or calf-straining hike. Also, for the bird watchers among us, Hawk Hill, as the name would suggest, is the highest lookout point for the largest known flight of diurnal raptors anywhere along the Pacific-clasped states. Bust out the binoculars here—day or night. // 948 Fort Barry, (Sausalito), parkconservancy.org

Editors’ tips:

• Bring a yoga mat to mentally unwind and stretch out the body before straining your neck to look up at the sky.
• Raptors are most active during the early hours of the morning; bird watchers will want to perch here early.

Mt. Hamilton / Lick Observatory

One of the highest publicly accessible summits in all of the South Bay, Mt. Hamilton is popular amongst wannabe and well-seasoned astronomers alike. Perched 4,500-plus feet above sea level and about an hour from San Jose, the darkness afforded by the area’s non-existent light pollution makes it one of the best vantage points to stargaze south of Bernal Heights. The UC owned-and-operated Lick Observatory is located off Highway 130, just shy of Mt. Hamilton’s peak visitor center and gift shop remain temporarily closed due to Covid, . // Mt. Hamilton Rd. (San Jose), alltrails.com

Editors’ tips:

• Refilling stations are few and far between here, so fill your canteen to the brim at home.
• Mt. Hamilton is dog friendly, just be sure to keep Spot on a leash.

Skyline Ridge Open Space

Few know that such a secluded, dark space can be found just 15 minutes from Silicon Valley. But sitting on over 2,000 acres of pristine scenery, Skyline Ridge Open Space ebbs and flows with rolling hillsides, most of which are accessible via well maintained trailheads. Whether it’s appreciating a star-studded sky from a trail bench or seeing the moonlight refract off of either Horseshoe Lake or Alpine Pond, there’s little this place can’t offer celestial enthusiasts. // Page Mill Rd. and Skyline Blvd. (San Jose), openspace.org

Editors’ tips:

• Trails are easy to moderate in difficulty; no need to bust out the hiking poles.
• Packing a picnic? Alpine Pond has two tables on its shore.
• Parking along Page Mill Road is plentiful.

Corona Heights Park

Sandwiched between the Castro and Haight-Ashbury, Corona Heights Park is a somewhat enigmatic green space, even to locals. Swaths of checkerbloom, California poppies, and more wildflowers sit between towering evergreens, and when the sun retreats beneath the horizon, the park offers sweeping vistas of a lit-up SF and, weather permitting, a starry Bay Area sky. The base of the hill always sits 300 feet above sea level, but hiking the dirt trail up to the peak will put you at 520 feet above the tide. // Roosevelt Way and Museum Way, (Buena Vista), sfrecpark.org

Editors’ tips:

• Wear your favorite hiking shoes, the rocky outcrops can be strenuous.
• Embrace your phone’s flashlight—the trails are somewhat tricky to navigate at night.

Muir Woods Beach Overlook

There may be no better place to gaze up at the heavens than from the sands of Muir Beach. Those who wish to, say, smolder s’mores while stargazing can do so at the designated fire pits. Looking to gawk at the stars from a higher standpoint? Make a beeline to the rocky, cliffside Muir Woods Overlook. Cell phone service is notoriously spotty throughout the park, so screenshot things like trail maps and parking prior to heading out. // Muir Beach Overlook, (Muir Beach), nps.gov.com

Editor’s tips:

• Dogs are allowed on leashes, but be mindful that Muir Beach is a popular seal pupping ground.
• Whale watching at Muir Beach is among the best anywhere in the state.

Mt. Tamalpais

Ahh, Mt. Tam—how we love your rich hiking trails and windswept vistas. But rarely do we stick around to partake in the stargazing opportunities afforded by the summit and surrounding highlands. Friends of Mt. Tam have suspended their regular astronomy classes due to Covid but they feature astronomy programs on their YouTube channel, providing a window to the skies for those exploring the vast universe on the other side of Karl the Fog. // 801 Panoramic Highway (Mill Highway), parks.ca.gov

Editors’ tips:

• The campgrounds around Mt. Tam are among the few places you can have a bonfire in the Bay Area without repercussions.
• Drones cannot be flown overhead here—leave it at home.
• Tables, drinking fountains, and restrooms can be found by East Peak off Verna Dunshee Trail.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Few natural spaces can compare to the awe-inspiring beauty and sublime stillness supplied by Point Reyes’ oceanside viewpoints. Limantour beach is one of the better, less popular beaches within the confines of Point Reyes National Seashore, perfect for laying out a blanket and taking in Cassiopeia. // Bear Valley Road and Shoreline Hwy (Point Reyes Station), nps.gov

Editors’ tips:

• Check out AccuWeather to see if the night’s appropriate for stargazing.
• Pick up fire and camping permits at the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
• Bring your coat—temps along the shore are often several degrees cooler than what you see on Weather.com.

Strawberry Hill, Golden Gate Park

Smack in the middle of Stow Lake, Strawberry Hill is an isolated island where greenery and scenery merge into jaw-dropping views. Space is tight at the overlook so don’t bother lugging up your telescope: A good pair of binoculars will do the trick. Wear your hiking boots! // 50 Stow Lake Dr. (Golden Gate Park), goldengatepark.org

Editors’ tips:

• Pack some snacks and bottles of water for the trek up.
• Check local forecasts to ensure they’ll be minimal cloud coverage.
• Check for park closures before heading out.

(Photo courtesy of SFAA)

Land’s End and Point Lobos

In the northwestern corner of the Golden Gate National Recreational Area sits two geological gems, each perfect for stargazing: the higher elevations at Point Lobos and the ocean vistas at Land’s End. San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers occasionally host an amateur’s star watching night at both locations, but its BYO binoculars and telescope. // 80 Point Lobos Ave. (Sea Cliff), nps.org

Editors tips:

• Check local forecasts to assure clear skies for the evening.
• Bring flashlights for trail navigation; wear hiking shoes.

The Presidio

With soft mulch and ample parking spaces, the low-light areas of the Presidio offer quality, easily accessible stargazing opportunities within the confines of the city. Plus, SFAA often hosts lectures inside the grounds, sharing insights on what exactly you’re straining your neck toward. // Veterans Blvd and Hwy-101 (Presidio), presidio.gov

Editors’ tips:

• Crissy Field and Southern Wilds are known for being two of the calmer, quieter parts of the grounds.
• No need for hiking shoes here.

(Photo courtesy of Berkeley Side)

Grizzly Peak

Sip a chocolate shake, munch on a burger, and ponder your special place in the big ol’ thing we call the universe. An East Bay favorite, Grizzly Peaks is thought of as the Twin Peaks of the East Bay, offering up Instagram-worthy landscapes. Just fill up your tank and go—and maybe stop at your favorite drive-thru on the way. // Old Fish Ranch Rd. (Berkeley), yelp.com

Editors’ tips:

• Parking can be tight here, so try to get there before 9pm.
• Bring a pair of binoculars, if you wish.

Sibley Volcanic National Reserve

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more enchanting, light-pollution-free area in the Bay Area than Sibley Volcanic National Reserve. Now, this one’s a hike, so be sure to lace up your boots, fill your water bottles, and enjoy the acres upon acres of open space. Stop by the quarry pit labyrinth on your way back to the car. // 6701 Skyline Blvd. (Berkeley), ebparks.org

Editors’ tips:

• The clearings are adequate for the use of both binoculars and telescopes.
• Bring your four-legged best friend on a leash.

Redwood Regional Park + Chabot Space and Science Center

Every Friday and Saturday evening, weather and light permitting, the Chabot Space and Science Center’s observatory is open to the public, free of charge. Just park, follow the signs to the back of the center, and be amazed by the cosmos. If you’re yearning for more, head back toward the entrance and grab a general admission pass to explore the entire center. // 10000 Skyline Blvd. (Oakland), chabotspace.org

Editors’ tips:

• Nighttime viewing starts at 7:30pm and ends at 10:30pm.
• Notice that access to the observatory is free, not access to the entire center. Make sure to enter in the back gate for access to the observatory.