Camping at Starfest

On-site, overnight Camping at the 2024 Julian StarFest will be available on two nights: Friday, August 2, and Saturday, August 3. Grounds will open at noon on Friday.  Everyone must be packed up and off the Winery grounds by 11:00 am on Sunday.

Camping registration is $40.00 for each adult and $20.00 for each teen (13 to 18). Kids 12 and under are free. The camping fee covers both nights, whether you stay one night or two.

Portable restrooms, with hand washing stations, as well as trash cans, will be available in the exhibit area and in the camping area.  Please keep the area around the restrooms clean.  An outdoor shower, at the back of the winery is available to all campers, free of charge, but you must wear a swimsuit.  Non-potable water will be available from hoses near the exhibit area.  See the GENERAL SITE MAP for location of facilities.

To register please use this link or contact us at info@julianstarfest.com Registration confirmation will be sent by e-mail, along with event rules and site maps.  Please include your e-mail address with all registrations.

Cancellation Policy

Camping reservations may be cancelled for a full refund for notifications received by July 15. Exceptions may also be made for late cancellations, for bona fide emergencies.  Please e-mail us to cancel your reservation and request a refund at info@julianstarfest.com

Rules and Regulations

Confirmation: Confirmation of your registration, along with these rules and a site map will be e-mailed to you.  Upon check-in, you will be given wrist bands for admission to the camping area.

Site Access: The grounds will open at noon on Friday for camper setup.  Do not block the access road while waiting for the grounds to open. The gate closes at 6:00 p.m.

Registration/Check-In to end @ 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.

The exhibit area opens at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.

WHITE LIGHT IS FORBIDDEN: No white light will be allowed.  Please use DIM red flashlights and be careful to point them only at the ground. High Energy Red LED Flashlights are just as damaging as a white light, do not use them!   If you have a laptop, it must have a deep red filter over the screen or be completely covered by a shroud.  If your car flashes it’s lights when you lock it, do not lock it or unlock it after dark!  If you car has white interior lights, please disable the lights (pull fuses or bulbs) if you need to open your doors at night.  Motor Homes: No interior or exterior white light allowed, unless fully concealed.

General Public Access: Saturday evening will be the event’s “Outreach” time, where the general public will be invited to observe through the telescopes of SDAA volunteers, vendors and fellow campers.  The outreach helps the hobby by opening their minds to the wonders of the heavens.  Although we will try and keep the public out of the campsite areas, please be tolerant of them, and if they ask, let them look through your telescope.  We will also endeavor to have them off the grounds by 11:00 p.m., so that any white light intrusion they may cause, will be over before the prime viewing time begins.

Food: Food and beverage vendors will be available (see site map) Friday evening and during daylight and early evening hours Saturday.  Many fine restaurants are available in Julian, just 2 miles away.  Most restaurants are open until 8:00 p.m.  See our “The Town of Julian” page for a complete list of available restaurants.

Camping: Space for 200 vehicles, including RV’s will be sold.  Additional camping is available at William Heise County Park, approximately seven miles away.  Other lodging, including Bed and Breakfasts, Hotel and Lodges, are available in the town of Julian.

Fire Safety: Outdoor fires, including charcoal fires and white gas stoves, are strictly prohibited (propane is acceptable).

Pets: If you must bring your pet, they must kept on a leash at all times and away from other animals or crowds.

Recreational Vehicles/Camp Sites: The camping and RV area is also the observing area.  Please keep your camp site as small as possible to ensure that everyone will have sufficient space.  Anyone that takes up more than what is considered adequate space, will be asked to lessen their footprint.  RV’s may not park in a way that will impede traffic or damage the environment.  RV owners must be especially careful of interior lights.  Please park so that doors open away from observers, block windows to prevent light trespass, and mask interior lights with red cellophane as necessary.  Generators may run only from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.  There are no electrical or sewage hook-ups at Menghini Winery.

Lasers and Laser Pointers: Green laser pointers will be permitted during the public outreach time of 7:00 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday ONLY.  The use of lasers and laser pointers (any color), except for collimation, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED at all other times.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Quiet Times/Active Locations: Not everybody sleeps at the same time.  Many attendees observe from dusk until the wee hours of the morning.  Please be courteous to your neighbors at all hours by minimizing noise.  If you play music, play it quietly.  On the other hand, please realize that your sleep may be disturbed by observers talking and using equipment as they stay up late.  Locate your campsite accordingly.

Door Prizes: A drawing will be held for thousands of dollars worth of door prizes on Saturday evening.  A free ticket is included with each paid admission and additional tickets are available for purchase. You must be present in or around the main stage at the time of the drawing.

Clean-up: When you leave, please make sure your area is trash free.  Please leave Julian StarFest better than you found it.

Parking/Driving: All vehicles and equipment must be off roadways, with adequate room for other vehicles, including large emergency vehicles to pass.  Please be alert to pedestrians walking along the roadways, especially at night.  Day use visitors will have a separate parking area.  To preserve our night vision, no driving is permitted on the grounds (including the camping areas) after dark (exception: the public parking lot).

Video and Photography: Many people make photos, video, and audio recordings.  By entering the grounds, you grant permission for videos and photography, including rights to publication and broadcast of images and audio.