Julian Starfest II

August 20th - 23rd, 2009  Menghini Winery, Julian, CA

Palomar Observatory Tours


Through the "Friends of Palomar" and Cal-Tech, we are able to provide this "Once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to a limited number of participants.

Two tours will be done on Saturday the 22nd, a morning tour, departing at 9:00 am and a afternoon tour departing at 12:00 pm.  The total tour length, from departure to return is five hours.

Tour Description

45 people, in each tour, will be transported in an air-conditioned bus to the Palomar Observatory on Palomar Mountain.  Once there, they will be given a guided tour of the Hale 200" telescope.  This tour includes the lower observatory floor, the basement so to speak, followed by a visit to some of the early laboratories where the early research was done.  Moving up in the dome, you'll reach the main floor, where the 200" scope resides.  Get "up close and personal" with the scope and watch it move through it's motions.  Then move up higher into the dome, to the dome catwalk, where you get a 720 degree "ride" as the dome is rotated while you stand on the catwalk, first inside and then outside.  After the tour, visit the observatory gift shop and museum, before returning to Julian.  A box lunch and beverage will be provided for you during your visit.

Please note that the interior of the 200-inch dome is kept at nighttime temperatures (for an elevation of 5,500 feet!). Dress accordingly. No High-heeled shoes are allowed.  The Palomar Observatory is a research facility. There is no viewing through the Hale Telescope as a part of the tours.



How to Register for the Palomar Tours
Registration confirmation will be sent by email, along with your tickets,  and maps to Starfest.  Please include you email address with all registrations.

Current availability is:
Morning Tour = 45
Noon Tour = 45

As these numbers approach capacity, please call us for current availability, at (760) 765-1083, before registering.

Registration by mail

To register by mail, simply download this FORM, fill it out and mail it to the address below with a personal check for the total amount. 
You may also book a Palomar tour on this form as well.  Mail it to:
Julian Starfest
PO Box 2007
Julian, CA 92036


On-Line Registration

To register on-line, using PayPal, simply click on the buttons below to add the items to your cart.  For multiple quantities, change the quantity in your cart, for the number of people, then update the cart.  A 4% service and handling fee will automatically be added to your total, for the on-line registration.

9:00 am Palomar Tour
(same price for adults or children)
$45.00
12:00 pm Palomar Tour
(same price for adults or children)
$45.00