Palomar Observatory

About 7 miles after leaving the mission, Hwy 79 breaks off to the east and you continue north on Hwy 76. In five minutes you come to Lake Henshaw. Just beyond the lake turn northeast (right) on East Grade Road, which winds its way up the mountain to the Palomar Observatory. Just near the parking area is a museum where you learn about the observatory through photos and short films. It is a pleasant stroll up to the impressive white-domed observatory, which houses the Hale telescope—the largest in the United States. A flight of steps takes you to a glass-walled area where you see the giant telescope whose lens is 200 inches in diameter, 2 feet thick, and took 11 years to polish. Please note that the interior temperature of the observatory is kept throughout the day at the equivalent nightime temperature for 5500 ft. so it may be a bit chilly inside.