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Houge (rhymes with "Yogi") Park is in San
Jose, near
Campbell and Los Gatos. This is the site of our biweekly city
star parties and the location of our monthly general meetings.
From Hwy. 17, take the Camden Avenue exit. Go east 0.4 miles, and turn right at the light, onto Bascom Avenue. At the next light, turn left onto Woodard Road. At the first stop sign, turn right onto Twilight Drive. Go three blocks, cross Sunrise Drive, then turn left into the park.
From Hwy. 85, take the Bascom Avenue
exit. Go north, and turn
right at the first traffic light, onto White Oaks Road. At the
first stop sign, turn left onto Twilight Drive. You will now be
passing the park. Turn right at the first driveway, into the parking
lot.
Note:
Most web maps direct you to the wrong entrance.
Between the parking lot and tennis courts
is a strip of grass
where public star parties are held. The meeting hall is directly
ahead (south) of the parking lot. There are restrooms on the other
side of the the hall.
| Pluses |
Minuses |
| Within San Jose |
Serious Light Pollution |
| Good South Horizon |
Coyote
Lake County Park (http://observers.org/sites/CL/)
is now considered the favorite close dark sky park. It is located in
the hills
just east of the Gilroy Outlet Mall.
Despite its proximity to the city the park is relatively dark. The bowl of hills that surround the viewing
site block some of the light dome from San Jose and Gilroy. The south horizon is at about 10 degree and
there is light impact from Gilroy.

| Pluses |
Minuses |
| Easy 1 hour drive from Houge | Light dome NW to W to S |
| Dark Eastern sky over moderate hill | Bring bug spray in summer |
| Restroom at site | High south horizon |
| Setup on asphalt | Light impact from cars on nearby road |
| Rangers astronomy friendly | |
| Moderate altitude |

Eventually you'll cross
a cattle guard, then an additional half
mile
brings you to a sign identifying the Park, and immediately afterward on
the right is a large dirt overflow parking lot ( "Entrance Parking" on
the map). This
is the SJAA observing site.
The main park and campground are a half mile farther on. The park fee
is $5 per vehicle, payable in the drop-box at the park entrance. You
must visit the HQ and pay your fees. Note that a clip lock is used on
the gate. The gate must be locked when you leave.
| Pluses |
Minuses |
| High |
Lights from San Jose
directly visible |
| VERY dark when clouds block
San Jose lights |
Can be windy |
| Set up on gravel |
From Hwy. 101, about 11 miles south of Gilroy, take the eastbound Hwy. 156 exit, towards San Juan Bautista. Go 3.0 miles, to a traffic light, and turn right onto county Hwy. G1 (San Juan Canyon Road). The traffic light is labeled "The Alameda". Go straight through the next intersection (don't turn left here) following a sign to the park. After a quarter mile or so, the road forks. Take the left fork. It then immediately forks again, this time go right. You should see a small brown sign saying "Fremont Peak State Park 12 miles." The road follows up the canyon and the winds up a ridge into the park.
There
are several areas within the park used by astronomers.
| Pluses |
Minuses |
| High |
Windy Road |
| Relatively good south horizon
with limited pollution |
West and north west impacted by
growing cities |
| locked gate in FPOA area |
Complicated access rules |
| Pluses |
Minuses |
| Darkest of listed sites |
Long drive |
| set up on dirt |
One needn't attend the club function to do observing. Be aware, though, that locked gates and closing times apply at many sites. Nighttime access may only be available only with prior arrangement or notice. Check the TAC sites page for the latest information on other locations.