Directions to Observing Sites

Here are some of the observing sites used by SJAA members and other amateur astronomers around the Bay Area. (Click on any blue outlined picture for a bigger version)

SJAA Sites

Houge Park

Coyote Lake

Fremont Peak

Henry Coe State Park

Lake San Antonio

Houge Park

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 Park

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.

Coyote Lake is east of Gilroy. From Hwy.101, exit at Leavsley Rd (Gilroy Outlet Malls). Go east 2.1 miles, then turn left on New Ave. Go 0.7 miles, then turn right onto Roop Rd. Another 4.3 miles brings you to the park, on the left.

SJAA uses the boat dock for all of its events. There are bathrooms at the boat dock

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

Henry Coe State Park

Henry Coe State Park is Located east of Morgan Hill in the Hamilton Range.

Go south on Hwy. 101, past San Jose toward Morgan Hill. Take East Dunne Ave. Follow it east, past Anderson Reservoir, up the mountain for 12 miles.

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.

The only scheduled SJAA event at Coe is the Messier Marathon. This is typically in March or April. As a courtesy SJAA will reserve one night per month. Usually this will be the new moon weekend, but its timing is based on the rest of the SJAA calendar. If you want to visit on another night then just call the ranger at 408 779-2728. If you arrange for use of lot, post on TAC to reduce calls to the rangers.

Pluses	Minuses
High	Lights from San Jose directly visible
VERY dark when clouds block San Jose lights	Can be windy
	Set up on gravel

Fremont Peak

: Fremont Peak State Park is south of the village of San Juan Bautista.
: 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.
The areas near the ranger house (Observatory and Ranger row on the detail map) are managed under contract to the state by the Fremont Peak Observatory Association. Contact FPOA for access if you want to set up a scope. FPOA runs a summer program at this location using their 30" telescope. For more information contact FPOA.; The Coutler and SW Lot areas are managed directly by the park. Access rules for the park have changed dramatically over the years and vary depending on the season. For the latest information see TAC Sites

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

Lake San Antonio

SJAA holds its annual dark sky park CalStar at Lake San Antonio in southern Monterey County. For more information see

CalStar Information

Here is some information about visiting at other times. See the CalStar site for maps and directions.

Pluses	Minuses
Darkest of listed sites	Long drive
	set up on dirt

Other Sites

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.

Rob Hawley/ Jim Van Nuland; last updated: 2007 Dec 30