The home of some of the most important telescopes in the development of modern astronomy - including the two largest telescopes of their time - it is a site of significant scientific and Los Angeles history.

Located on the summit of Mount Wilson above Pasadena at an altitude of 5715 feet, Mount Wilson Observatory is visible from much of the Los Angeles area. Free of charge, visitors can view the historic Hooker 100-inch telescope from the Visitors’ Gallery inside the dome.

Welcome to Mount Wilson Observatory! Mount Wilson has been of interest to astronomers for over 100 years. A station of Harvard College Observatory was placed here briefly beginning in 1889.

The following sites provide weather forecast and condition information and the status of county and state roads that provide access to Mount Wilson Observatory: Current Conditions (Frequently Updated) from CHARA Weather Stations; MWO National Weather Service Brief Forecast; MWO National Weather Service Detailed Forecast

Access to Mount Wilson is via the Angeles Crest Highway (CA Hwy 2) from the 210 Freeway at La Canada Flintridge. Directions given by apps on your phone can be incorrect. We recommend downloading and printing our PDF map with directions here.

60″ Telescope Group Reservations; 100″ Telescope Group Reservations; Cosmic Art & Observing; Public Ticket Nights Individual Reservations; Public Star Gazing Nights

Mount Wilson’s 60-inch telescope provides incredible views of some of the most beautiful objects in the night sky and is among the largest in the world accessible to public viewing. MORE INFO & BOOK

Tours of Mount Wilson Observatory Weekend Public Tours Docent-led walking tours of the Observatory are available every Saturday and Sunday at 11:30AM & 1PM during the spring and summer.

Come join us for a public star party and spend a relaxing evening in the San Gabriel Mountains under the stars looking through telescopes provided by the members of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society!

Mount Wilson Observatory was the first built specifically to do spectroscopy, to capture light from the Sun and other stars and spread it out into all its wavelengths, so that all the information it contains could be deciphered.