Visiting Us

The Observatory

The Community Observatory is located in Placerville, California at about 1,600 ft. elevation on an isolated parcel of land away from city lights and noise. On any evening one can hear many wildlife sounds. This quiet location is perfect for a relaxing evening of enjoyment and fun.

While visiting the observatory is free, the college charges $2 for parking. The observatory is fully accessible to our visitors with disabilities.

The observatory is open year round, as long as the weather cooperates. We may be closed due to cloud coverage, high humidity levels, unsafe and/or obstructing air quality levels, and other possible reasons. We announce closures by 3pm before the scheduled event. Please check our calendar before you leave. 

Guidelines

The Community Observatory is located on El Dorado County Office of Education property. This means:

• No drugs.
• No tobacco/vaping products.
• No alcohol.

It takes time for our eyes to adjust to the dark, so please:

• No white lights or flash photography.
• Red flashlights or headlamps are permissible.
• Please ensure your cell phone is silenced and the screen brightness is reduced.

For visitor safety:

• No pets are allowed (service animals welcome).
• No private/unauthorized telescopes or other stargazing equipment is allowed on the tarmac.

We thank you for your cooperation in our effort to maintain a safe environment.

What to Bring

The observatory has no heat. Its unique design allows the roof to slide away so that the telescopes and observers inside can see the sky. As a result, the temperature inside will be about the same as outside.

During the summer months, the evenings can be either warm or cool. Dress comfortably for typical summer evening and night activities, but bring along a jacket or sweater just in case. 

The winter months are some of the best months for observatory activities. However, it will almost always be cold and often near freezing, so it is important that you dress warmly! We guarantee you that you will have a miserable experience at the observatory if you are freezing. Plan ahead by bringing plenty of layers, and you will have an enjoyable observing experience.

On cold, winter evenings you may be tempted to get in your car for a warm up. Please exercise extreme caution if you are sitting in your car with the motor running; you may be at extreme risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. We advise you avoid this practice altogether.