Top 10 Places To Stargaze In The Bay Area

There are some nights where all you want to do is be alone with nature and able to appreciate the vastness of the universe. During those times, stargazing is one of the best healing activities to take up, and luckily there are many places in the Bay Area where you can stargaze without being overwhelmed by the lights of the city.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Architectural Landmark

This tucked away joy is without a doubt one of the best places to stargaze in the Bay Area. The lighthouse has been transformed into a comfortable and cozy hostel right on the water and is in an area that gets almost pitch black at night. To make it even better, the lighthouse has an outdoor hot tub overlooking the water that is open to use for its guests for a small fee. Be sure to check in early and put your name on the list for the hot tub time you desire, as the list fills up fairly quickly.

Marin Headlands

Hiking Trail, Ruins

View Tours

Just across the Golden Gate bridge from San Francisco, the Marin Headlands are an easily accessible area from which to stargaze. One of the first exits off the highway, the drive through the headlands will provide you with stunning views of the bridge as well as beautiful skies on a clear night. There are plenty of places to pull out along the road and it’s easy to find parking, so you will have no issues camping out in the warmth of your car while enjoying the stars.

Cliff House

Restaurant, American

View Tours

Not much of San Francisco is exceptional for stargazing, but the Cliff House and the surrounding area provide the best opportunities for seeing any clear sky. Overlooking Ocean Beach, the Cliff House and the Sutro Baths are both at the far western side of the city and the extensive residential area between the downtown area and Ocean Beach gives it slightly less light pollution than would be found in the rest of the city.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Natural Feature, Park

View Tours

North of San Francisco and close to Mount Tamalpais State Park, Point Reyes is close to the ocean and offers great views of both the water and the sky, especially when it is clear out. The park is open until midnight for the majority of the year and can be easily accessed by car. Not only does it offer great wildlife viewing opportunities, but it is also typically not too affected by light pollution, if you manage to find a clear night in the Bay Area fog.

Mount Tamalpais State Park

Park

Further north of the Marin Headlands, Mount Tamalpais is typically clearer than other places closer to the city. While the top of the mountain isn’t accessible after sunset unless you are camping, there are plenty of other places within and near the park that are accessible by car that are still outside of the light pollution of the city, most notably along the Panoramic Highway.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Park

Located about an hour and a half south of San Francisco in Santa Cruz County, Big Basin State Park has some great stargazing opportunities. It is currently only open an hour past sunset (approximately 6pm at the moment) Monday to Thursday, but it is open until 9pm on Fridays and 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays, so for the most optimal viewing day, head to Big Basin on a Friday.

Henry W. Coe State Park

Park

Further inland than many of the other stargazing spots, Henry W. Coe State Park offers phenomenal nighttime views since it is also further away from any city light pollution. It is the best out of all of the state parks to visit for stargazing not only because of the lack of light pollution, but also because it is open 24 hours a day all year round. Although it is somewhat out of the way, if you’re looking for the best star views with reliably clear skies, Henry Coe is the place to go.

Castle Rock State Park

Park

Mostly known for its rock climbing, Castle Rock State Park is also a great place to go stargazing. Located between Santa Cruz and San Jose at the top of the Santa Cruz mountains, the park is away from any major light sources. Although the roads up to the park are fairly twisty, the park is accessible by car, and there are plenty of places to park and do some stargazing. The park does close at sunset, but many of the roads through and around it are open after dark, so it is still possible to stargaze.

China Camp State Park

Park

While stargazing at China Camp State Park does require camping in the park, it is well worth it. The park overlooks San Francisco Bay and the sunsets are spectacular in the area. It is also in an area that is less affected by the light of Oakland and San Francisco, so it is much easier to see the night sky. The views over the bay and over the small island off of the campsite are quite beautiful at night.

Mount Diablo

Park

‘Save the best for last’ is always a good motto, and Mount Diablo State Park is certainly one of the best places to stargaze in the Bay Area. Often frequented by amateur and professional astronomers, Mount Diablo has an observatory that is open to the public during certain times and has unobstructed views of the Bay Area. If you are looking to get an education and a close up view of the stars, head to Mount Diablo.

About the author

Adriana Jones

Adriana is a Bay Area native and a freshman at the University of San Francisco, currently studying International Relations with a focus in Peace and Conflict studies in Latin America and Europe as well as a minor in Journalism. Besides her work at the Culture Trip, Adriana is also an editor at the USF newspaper, the Foghorn, and works part time at Nike. When she is not studying, working, or otherwise academically occupied, she can usually be found either at the climbing gym or searching for boba tea and vegan donuts. She also loves to travel and can often be found searching for cheap flights or staring longingly at photos of beaches.