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- Best Place To Watch Meteor Shower In Northern California
Summary
- Northern California offers some of the best spots for stargazing and watching meteor showers, with locations like Death Valley, Mount Tamalpais, and Shasta Lake.
- Parks like Lassen Volcanic National Park and Yosemite National Park provide dark skies and stunning views for astronomy enthusiasts.
- For a unique experience, visitors can head to attractions like Chabot Space and Science Center or Burney Falls to combine stargazing with educational exhibits or natural beauty.
When meteor showers pass by earth, welcoming them comes easy, especially in northern California places where the skies are the darkest. There are around 30 meteor showers annually that are visible on the planet, so fans of the cosmos always have a reason to look up.
Those searching for dark skies to stargaze, chase meteor showers, and wait for comets can call California home, with its southern portion also an adept spot for enjoying a cosmic show. The northern part is not to be outdone. From the bustling San Francisco to the ever-majestic Sierra Nevada, north California aims to deliver moonlit moments that satisfy even casual skygazers.
UPDATE: 2023/09/04 15:30 EST BY NICHOLAS MAYAMBA
Best Place To Watch Meteor Shower In Northern California
The sprawling state of California boasts a lot of real estate, offering isolated open spaces away from urban life that make for the best spots for stargazing. This refreshed list features bonus best places to watch meteor showers in Northern California.
12 Death Valley National Park
Though named Death Valley, there is every reason to visit this fun California national park. As the sun shines bright in this destination, outdoor lovers enjoy hiking, biking, and watching wildlife. But when the sky turns dark, it’s time to pause and wait for a grand show of the cosmos. Even without a meteor shower, just stargazing in this California-Nevada charmer is enough to satisfy tourists, especially since it has one of the darkest skies in the country. The park has ranger-led night tours, but what takes the cake is the Dark Sky Festival. Indeed, life abounds in Death Valley.
11 Mount Tamalpais
Mount Tamalpais is the highest peak in Marin Hills, making it an ideal spot for checking out the wonders of the night sky. Its location near San Francisco makes Mt. Tam, as called by locals, perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city – albeit for a while. When the magic of the moonlit sky starts, campers will experience a good evening and good night in their purest forms. It’s recommended to stay overnight as the park closes at 7 p.m.
10 Shasta Lake
Darkness shushes a busy life, making calmness always within grasp. In Shasta Lake, that’s a lifestyle, especially when the moon announces its arrival and the Milky Way starts its magical show. Astronomy fans and casual stargazers are welcome to place their mats and telescopes in Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, especially during August when the Perseid meteor shower passes by the planet. By Lake Shasta, taking snapshots of the playful skies means being inspired throughout the night. In this California charmer, the evening is enlivening.
9 Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park should not be last on the places where meteor showers are best watched. As with Death Valley, this park has an incredibly dark sky, so stargazers will enjoy exploring, especially atop Lassen. However, those who don’t have the energy to hike the peak can place their chairs and gear by Manzanita and Helen Lakes, where the views are equally amazing. There are also night hikes and stargazing tours in Lassen, with all things cosmic peaking during its Dark Sky Festival.
8 Bernal Heights Park
Bernal Heights, San Francisco, United States
Those exploring San Francisco should not miss hiking up Bernal Heights Park, a hill that provides a 360-degree view of the city from the bay to San Bruno Mountain. Since this destination is a tourist favorite, trekkers should expect a crowd. That won’t be a problem because when the evening sky starts its astronomical show, they’d focus their eyes above and won’t feel their feet on the ground. The trek takes over 20 minutes, just quick because, in the Golden City, the rewarding things in life come easily.
7 Brandy Creek Beach
Brandy Creek Beach in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is where astronomy lovers often flock to watch the wonders of the Perseid meteor shower. The waterway is popular among picnickers, and they might as well stay until the night when the cosmos wants to flex something. Tourists should imagine this: they sit or lie by shore enjoying a drink – a brandy or whiskey, maybe, but in moderation. The stars will start to dot the sky, and meteor showers that seemingly fall will create a grand cosmic display. Talk about the best pairing for a favorite drink.
6 Point Reyes
Stargazing and watching meteor showers in Point Reyes is a breathtaking experience because the Pacific coast adds charm to the experience. This coastal destination is scenic day or night, more so when the moon announces its arrival. The total darkness of the sky and the ocean, the calming breeze, and the sound of the crashing waves work together to deliver a serene moment. That sense of fulfillment is the reason why astronomy lovers always flock to Point Reyes when the Geminid and Perseid meteor showers cross the sky.
5 Lake Tahoe
As in Point Reyes, those stargazing or watching cosmic shows in Lake Tahoe will experience the calm only Mother Nature can offer. The pristine waters of this Sierra Nevada destination deliver a relaxing breeze to those waiting for meteor showers. The darkness of the skies and the expansive lake will envelop visitors, giving them that planetarium vibe, but better. Tahoe, after all, is the largest alpine lake in North America. On its Californian side, the best spot to watch the heavenly show is in Desolation Wilderness or wherever the altitude is high.
4 Chabot Space And Science Center
Where else to observe the wonders of the galaxy? At a space center, of course, and there’s one in Oakland that’s always ready to welcome curious guests. What makes a visit to a space center exciting is the chance not just to watch Milky Way spectacles but to have a fun learning experience as guests explore the exhibits of the institution. What’s more, the giant telescopes offer a close-up look at what happens beyond the planet, sort of letting visitors feel what it feels like to be out of this world.
3 Lake Siskiyou
Lake Siskiyou is one of northern California’s recreational havens, flocked by families and groups of friends for a weekend getaway. This reservoir is popular among anglers, thanks to its abundance of fish, but those who opt to stay until the sun sets can score big ones but in the sky. The dark sky of Siskiyou will let tourists catch a glimpse of meteor showers and stars – all shining, shimmering, and splendid. Be it the Orion, Perseid, or Geminid, this lake that is shadowed by Mt. Shasta is ready to take cosmos lovers beyond the stars.
2 Yosemite National Park
Although Yosemite sees multitudes of visitors coming through its gates, being among the West Coast's most popular national parks, there's plenty of space to sit and enjoy a cool celestial show when night falls. Thanks to its secluded location from all the city light pollution, astronomy enthusiasts get a front-seat experience watching the constellation with the hope of witnessing an exciting meteor shower.
1 Burney Falls
Considered an Eight Wonder of the World, Burney Falls is North California's crowning jewel and awes first-timers with its picture-perfect cascades. But what budding astronomers may not know is that it's an ideal spot to partake in their favorite pastime, watch a surreal meteor shower in the California night sky. The tranquil atmosphere, with only the therapeutic sound of falling waters in the air, culminates in the perfect setting for a cosmic show.