Lick Observatory

Great views of the bay area, but the place is in rough shape. Dilapidated buildings, dirty equipment, and the night event felt like it was being made up as they went along. The science is important, but it's not much for visitors.

Quick reminder that the observatory shuts down on public holidays - and when they do, the lock down the whole top of the mountain, not just the building. I wish they would keep the top parking lot open, how hard is it not to close the gate? It is very nice when open - the historical building, the telescopes, the lot. Pity I could not get there this time.

I recently visited the historic Lick Observatory and was amazed by the architecture, the views, and the scientific legacy preserved here. The 36-inch Lick Refractor Telescope is a masterpiece and fascinating to see up close — it’s incredible to imagine how much astronomical history was made through it. The guided tour was insightful, and the staff were knowledgeable and passionate. Walking down the long corridors lined with vintage photographs gave me a nostalgic feeling, almost like stepping back in time. The dome and telescope setup are beautifully maintained and offer a great learning experience for anyone curious about space and astronomy. Also, the panoramic views of the Bay Area from the observatory are breathtaking. I highly recommend this visit for science enthusiasts and photographers alike. A true gem in California’s scientific heritage!

Top 10 roads of all time to get here. Twisty with great views. Observatory at top is cool as well

캘리포니아 산호세 동쪽의 Mount Hamilton 정상(해발 약 1,300m)에 위치한 역사적인 천문대. 1888년에 설립되어 세계 최초의 상시 운영 산 정상 천문대로 알려져 있으며, 현재는 캘리포니아 대학교(UC) 관측소에서 운영하고 있다. 부유한 자산가였던 James Lick의 유산으로 건립되었으며 그의 유언에 따라 천문대 건물 아래에 묻혀 있다고 한다. 입구에 들어서면 양쪽에는 가장 영향력있었던 2사람이 소개되어 있다. 왼쪽에는 제임스 릭, 오른쪽에는 로렌틴 햄밀턴. 제임스릭은 이 천문대를 설립한 설립자로써, 피아노 제작사로 시작하여 부동산 투자자로 성공하여 후에는 자선가, 과학 후원자로 활약했다. 젊은시절 사랑하는 사람과 결혼하지 못하고 외아들과도 오랜시간 떨어져 살았다. 제임스 릭은 부와 명성을 넘어서 과학과 공공의 이익을 위해 헌신한 인물이었지만, 동시에 외로운 삶을 살았던 사람이다. 오늘날 많은 사람들이 그가 누구였는지 잘 모른다는 점에서, “기억 속에서 잊혀진 위대한 인물” 이라는 평가도 있다. 로렌틴 해밀턴은 종교 개혁가, 교육자, 그리고 산호세 인근의 Mount Hamilton 명명자로 알려져 있다. 릭 천문대가 Mount Hamilton 에 있는데, 그의 이름을 딴 것이다.

Our evening at Lick Observatory felt like stepping into the heart of the cosmos. We learned about distant stars, each one a sparkling story in the vast night sky. The view was nothing short of magical—an endless expanse of glittering lights that left us humbled and inspired. Every volunteer we met was a guiding star in their own right: warm, patient, and endlessly generous with their knowledge. They didn’t just teach us about the universe—they made us feel like we belonged in it. Thank you for turning a night under the stars into a memory we’ll treasure forever.

Observatory has been closed since the big windstorm several months back. Motorcycle trip over the top across the valley to Patterson is a great ride or make a sharp left at the hamburger place and head up north to Livermore

I recently rode up to Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton with my cousin, and it was a fantastic experience overall. The drive itself was a highlight, with twisty roads that kept things interesting and plenty of scenic stops along the way. We even spotted two horses on the way up, which was a nice surprise! Once at the top, the view was amazing, especially on a clear day – you can see for miles around. The observatory, though, was a bit underwhelming at this time; there's just a brief walk-through section that goes over the history, so it felt more like a quick stop than a full activity. But if you're into scenic rides and don't mind a bit of quiet history, it’s worth checking out for the journey and the views alone!