Mount Wilson Observatory

There is a lot of astronomical knowledge here, and there are many exhibitions of instruments that people use when observing space.

The drive up here can be a bit treacherous, since you're traveling for miles on a narrow mountain pass. Rocks and gravel litter the pavement. But when you reach here, the views are breathtaking! Especially on overcast days... you know. The kind of days where it's gloomy and dark. You can come here and stand above the clouds, and bask amongst father sky.The observatory area itself is like a mini-hike, with trails. There's a small gallery space with images of stars, galaxies, and the like. Or you can enter one of the main observatories, where you can peer into the space and listen to an automated message.As a bonus, there's an echo rock that you can yell at. The space closes for winter... I want to say it's closed between December and February, but I forget the exact dates. There's also a snack bar too, that may or may not be open.

Mt. Wilson has the world's largest telescopes, offering long-range views of both celestial and solar proportions. I am thoroughly intrigued by outer space, so I was like a kid at Christmas here: seeing stars, planets, and other bodies out there beyond our planet excited me to no end. The observatory is also quite famous; Edwin Hubble used its facilities for his groundbreaking research himself. The 60" telescope will leave you wanting more, while the guided tours are educational and fascinating.

On the top of Mount Wilson with a great view of Los Angeles, walk the roads amidst one of the first premium observatory complexes.

During the first half of the twentieth century the Mount Wilson Observatory was the world's preeminent astronomical observatory. The premise on which the Big Bang theory rests was discovered here. Visitors can view the universe through the observatory's historic 60-inch telescope but reservations and a fee are required.