The BEST Dark Skies in Southern California

If you're looking for an easily accessible spot to stargaze in Southern California, these are some of the best dark skies to visit.
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Equipment in this video
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Whether you're visiting Southern California, or you live there and have never gone stargazing before, these spots are just a quick drive away. These are perfect for meteor showers, astrophotography, viewing and photographing the milky way, and more.

[@leagueestates]

I love going to Anza Borrego and just pulling into the public camping areas that you don't need reservations for and that are free. Another great place we have been going to lately is Amboy Crater, off of Route 66. Easy access with a paved parking lot and restrooms. Only issue is that it can be 98 degrees at midnight. :)

[@ianlauerastro]

Amboy crater is on my list of places to shoot from. Public camping is something not a lot of people know about, and I think more should take advantage of it!

[@Baker504]

Good video thanks for the info. I'm going to check those places out.

[@bshef3424]

.....WE JUST spent 2 nites in Julian last week....On top a super big hill in Air BnB....the whole back deck unobstructed view all way to Salton Sea (looking North-ish). Took 1970's sears binoculars....was the MOST FUN i've had in years.....seeing all the satellites and Starlink 2 consecutive nites row - my wife is sick of hearing me recount the stories over and over ! aaaaaamazing!

[@ianlauerastro]

That is so amazing to hear! Stories like this make me so happy.

[@rchoi27]

Just came across your video as we are trying to see the peak of the Perseid Meteor Showers tonight (8/11 into 8/12). We are planning to go to the Maghini Winery for that. Looks like theres going to be some thunder storms this afternoon but might be cloudy with light showers ... Perhaps we willbmiss the opportunity this year again.

[@apollohill6733]

Hey I think you'll like Mt Pinos. That's in Los Padres National forest. Telescope folks go to the end of the road and set up. Its 8300 foot level. Take the 5 fwy to Frazier Park exit. If I remember, it's about 12 miles from the exit to the location. Enjoy

[@CathrinMachinArt]

love stargazing in palmar.

[@ianlauerastro]

Yes! SoCal has so many great places to stargaze.

[@jokerswild735]

Awesome shirt dude

[@ianlauerastro]

🤘🤘🤘

[@Killerhub93]

Keep doing you my dude.

[@ianlauerastro]

Thanks so much! More videos to come, just building a schedule to be more consistent with posting :)

[@Killerhub93]

@@ianlauerastro I'm actually going to julian this week to watch the perseids. Because of your video

[@ianlauerastro]

@@Killerhub93 That's awesome! Julian is a great location. Fingers crossed this meteor shower is an epic one

[@shupingyin8082]

Great vid

[@ianlauerastro]

Thanks so much!

[@roger9552]

Mount Laguna on Sunrise Highway is another good spot to go. Its south of Julian

[@ianlauerastro]

Another great spot!

[@jobeljwilliams]

Awesome content bro, love your work. If you could do a video on how you edit these pics it’d be great :)

[@ianlauerastro]

Thanks so much for the kind words! Editing tutorials are definitely coming :)

[@austinwiggins5933]

Maybe it’s just me but I’ve never seen night skies like the ones in your photos out here in SoCal. I spent over 10 years in 29 Palms, been to Joshua Tree (obviously), Palomar Mt, Anza-Borrego, etc….but have yet to experience those types of skies out here and I’ve been here since 1993.

[@ianlauerastro]

Photos will always show more detail than your eye because they can take longer exposures. That being said, photos are unable to give someone the full experience of being out under dark skies; they excel in one aspect and lack in others. Unfortunately with more light pollution coming from places kuje 29 palms, Joshua Tree is no longer an A-list stargazing spot, though you can still do some decent stargazing out there.

[@jerryhilburn9090]

SDAA at Tierra Del Sol has a lot to offer. Come visit us!

[@ianlauerastro]

That sounds great! SDAA is an amazing organization, thank you and everyone part of SDAA for your hospitality and your outreach efforts.

[@dl211981]

Try Trona Pinnacles

[@ianlauerastro]

Great idea! I haven't been there, so I'll give it a try.

[@blacknoirreal2789]

I'm thinking of heading to Anza borrego soon, would November still be a good month for stargazing or would it likely be cloudy

[@ianlauerastro]

It's a good time of the year but always check the weather before you go. The core of the Milky Way will not be up, but there will be upcoming meteor showers, and great opportunities for astrophotography

[@achernarpolis8842]

Any tips on how to do this without having a massive spider or scorpion crawl up your leg? What about rattlesnakes? Arent they all out there in socal? Wouldn’t setting up equipment in the dark be difficult w those creepy crawlies running around that environment?

[@molar92]

Bugs and animals tend to stay away from high traffic areas. Most campgrounds and trails have a much lower probability of something like that being around than a secluded area that doesnt get visitors

[@JohnDoe-sl6di]

Do you have any recommendations in Northern California ?

[@ianlauerastro]

Anywhere along the Sierra Mountain Range works (Yosemite, Bishop, Sequoia, etc). Any place outside Mt. Shasta as well, and most areas in the Redwoods of Northern California are very dark because the cities are very sparse. I've had great views stargazing in the Redwood National Park.

[@JohnDoe-sl6di]

@@ianlauerastro thanks !

[@Mrgramzo96]

On the off chance you see this comment. Have you been to the Mojave national preserve? Is it good for stargazing?

[@ianlauerastro]

I have not but many of my friends have gone there to do astrophotography, so it must have some good to offer :)

[@GGDriver87]

Going to 29 palms in 2 weeks to stargaze.

[@hithere9495]

What about Death Valley?

[@ianlauerastro]

Death Valley is one of the best places! But I wouldn't call it SoCal :)

[@Yaya-kn5zx]

I’m in San Diego where can I go

[@ianlauerastro]

Julian, California is very close to San Diego, as is Anza Borrego!

[@fantasyEXX]

I have to disagree with your list. Death Valley, Alabama Hills and Mojave Preserve are much better than most of those on your list

[@ianlauerastro]

I wouldn’t consider Death Valley or Alabama hills as SoCal, but I agree with Mojave!

[@andrewtaylor1513]

I have been to Julian, California every year since 1997 and have yet to see the "dark skies" you say in your presentation..Furthermore, the dark skies do not show galaxial dust.

[@ianlauerastro]

The Milky Way is easily visible during Milky Way season in Julian - your eyes need to be dark adapted to see it - ~30-45 minutes without looking at lights/phone screens will do the trick. Dust lanes in the Milky Way are visible from Julian, you need to make sure you're looking in the correct direction and at the right time of year (Milky Way season).

[@voltairepajo4109]

@@ianlauerastro Hi Ian. What months are Milky Way season? Btw, going to Julian this weekend for the starfest thanks to your suggestion.

[@ianlauerastro]

@@voltairepajo4109 Milky Way season is best from May - August, though with the right conditions (location, specifically) it can start as early as Feb and as late as October for photographers.