Where in SoCal can I go see constellations clearly?

Question

I live in the city and basically I only see I assume to be the brightest stars, that the human eye can see. I specifically live in Rowland Heights, 30 miles east of East LA. Is there anywhere I can go such as a certain area of mountain or somewhere, where other people go to see the stars and constellations at?

Answer 1

Howdy neighbor, I'm in Covina -

The closest place to you where you could make out many major stars and most constellations probably would be San Gabriel Canyon. Just go north on Asuza Ave. up into the hills about 12 miles. Turn right at East Fork and pick a turnout.

Better would be Mt. Wilson, take the 210 West to the 2 North for about 30 minutes. Still light polluted, but better.

Next better would be, as poster above mentions, Big Bear. In fact, the Riverside Telescope Maker's Conference will be in that neighborhood all Memorial Day weekend, fantastic once-a-year event for astronomers, google rtmc for details.

Much better after that is head for Vegas, go past Baker and take Halloran Summit Rd. once you're up in the hills. Turn right and go a mile or 2 away from the freeway. Or go up the 5 way past Magic Mountain, toward the viewing site of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society near Mt. Pinos (great club, google laas)

Best spot in SoCal I know of is Borrego Springs, nice naked-eye view of Andromeda Galaxy, etc.

UPDATE - I should mention that your first few outings might be best done to locations a bit light-polluted, like the first couple on my list. If you were to go initially to a good dark-sky location before getting much familiar with the sky, you'll find yourself overwhelmed with too many stars. Really. You can't see the forest for the trees.

Answer 2

The darkest, clearest nights I've ever experienced were at Death Valley. With growing light pollution in So Cal, Death Valley is becoming one of the few places left where the night is still truly dark. Death Valley is a huge place, there's lots of places you can go to pitch for the night, like Dante's View, or Badwater, or even Telescope Peak. Telescope Peak is accessible by trail only, however.

Otherwise, as Charles and Gary H have suggested, Big Bear Lake and environs is not a bad place to go. Clear, still nights, but still too much light from the LA-OC metropolis.

Addendum: To Gary H's update, he's right in that making a overnight trip to Death Valley can be a significant undertaking, but it's always been a memorable experience. I've never said, "Man, that was too much trouble, it wasn't worth it." They've been my best dark starry nights.

Addendum 2: I just came across this link, have a look:

Answer 3

Head for Mt. Baldy, or Big Bear.

HTH

Charles