Celebrate National Drive Electric Month with us on a drive up to Mount Palomar, followed by a BYO picnic at the observatory. We've invited the Orange County and Riverside clubs to join us as well.
| ???? | Leave home for meetup point | |
| Black Angus Steakhouse parking area (in the North County Mall) 296 E. Via Rancho Parkway Escondido 92025 |
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| 10:00 | Start scenic drive to Mount Palomar | |
| ~11:00 | Arrive at observatory | |
| Sign up for optional guided tour (see below) | ||
| Bring Your Own Picnic Lunch | ||
| 12:30 | Optional guided tour | |
| ~1:30 | On your own - explore grounds, visit casinos, go home ... | |
| 3:30 | Observatory closes |
There are three one-hour guided tours of the observatory on weekends. We assume that our group would prefer the one starting at 12:30. Each guided tour group is limited to 30 people - first come, first served. Tickets are $3 – $5 per person. Children under 5 years-old cannot take a guided tour. Free self-guided tours are also available. Note the temperature inside the observatory matches the nighttime environment and can be as low as 40° F - dress appropriately. There is also a Visitor Center and gift shop.
Visit the observatory web site for full information and a virtual tour.
It is 76 miles round trip from the meetup point to the observatory. A test run used 82 range miles (ate range going up, got most back coming down). We suggest that you utilize ABetterRoutePlanner to calculate your personal charging needs starting with the following entries:
The picnic area has tables and benches, with rest rooms in the Visitor Center. Leashed dogs are allowed. There are no alcohol restrictions. Additional info can be found at the observatory web site.