2025 Summer Series Public Events are being planned! Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday April 16th 2025 at Noon!
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Sunset over Lick Observatory with open domes. Photo by Laurie Hatch

Public Evening Tours at Lick Observatory

Our “behind the scenes” style 4 – 6 hour walking tour of Lick Observatory will start at the main building’s Visitor Center. Participants can learn about the unique history of the world’s first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory, the eccentric California pioneer James Lick, technology used for observing on different telescopes along the tour route, and current science being conducted at Lick Observatory.

A highlight of the tour will be visiting the dome of the 3-meter Shane Telescope to see the mountain’s largest telescope up close. After the walking tour, there will be an opportunity to enjoy the sunset, and the Gift Shop will be open. During twilight, a history lecture about James Lick and the construction of the observatory will be presented. Once the sky is dark (and weather permitting), viewing celestial objects through the historic 36-inch Great Refractor Telescope will commence. Insights will be provided throughout the evening on how we find planets beyond our solar system, how exploding stars teach us about the evolution of the universe, how we discern the nature of galaxies and black holes, how new technologies are used to undo the blurring effects of Earth’s atmosphere, and about Lick Observatory’s rich astronomical history and bright scientific future.

Complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are included with the tour. The event will last approximately 4 to 6 hours. Visitors should be prepared to walk about one mile during the evening, including taking stairs.

Events are held rain or shine.

Public Evening Tours in 2025

Sunday

May 4

6:00pm

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Sunday

May 11

6:00pm

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Sunday

June 1

6:30pm

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Sunday

June 8

6:30pm

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Sunday

June 15

6:30pm

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Friday

June 20

6:30pm

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Sunday

** Special partnered event with KQED!**

June 22

6:30pm

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Sunday

June 29

6:30pm

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Sunday

July 13

6:30pm

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Friday

July 18

6:30pm

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Sunday

July 20

6:30pm

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Sunday

July 27

6:30pm

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Friday

August 1

6:30pm

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Saturday

August 2

6:30pm

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Sunday

August 3

6:30pm

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Friday

August 15

6:30pm

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Sunday

August 17

6:00pm

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Sunday

August 24

6:00pm

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Friday

September 12

5:30pm

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Friday

September 26

5:30pm

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Sunday

September 28

5:30pm

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Ticket Information

icon image of two tickets

General Admission

$75 or $81.88 with fees

Admits 1 person. Max 40 people per tour.

☆ Walking Tour

☆ History Lecture

☆ View through Great Refractor Telescope

Return Policy

Tickets are refundable 48 hours prior to the event. If you return your ticket, you will be issued a refund minus Eventbrite fees. If we cancel the event, you will be issued a full refund.

Weather Policy

Weather may restrict telescope viewings, but other activities will still take place. Refunds are not issued for bad weather.

Tickets always sell out fast!

Tickets will be available to the general public starting Wednesday April 16, 2025 at noon on Eventbrite. There is a limit of 4 tickets per customer.
EARLY TICKETS: If you’d like early access to purchase next summer’s tickets, join our Friends of Lick Observatory (FoLO) program by March 1st, 2025. As a thank you for supporting the observatory, you’ll get special access to purchase tickets one week before the general public. Please email tickets@ucolick.org if you have any questions.

 

Plan Your Visit

Please review the following information to have the best visit to Lick possible!

Arrival Time

Doors open 30 minutes prior to beginning of the tour. Tours start promptly! Late arrivals for ticket holders can be accommodated until sunset, when the gate closes. If possible, let us know that you’ll be running late at tickets@ucolick.org

Accessibility

Due to the historic construction of the telescope domes, the 36-inch Great Refractor Telescope and the 3-m Shane Telescope are not wheelchair accessible at this time. Those who have difficulty navigating stairs may also find the telescope observing inaccessible.

Assistance

We strive to make your visit as complete and meaningful as possible. Please let us know if you will need special assistance (for example, if you will have difficulty climbing stairs), so we can make the necessary arrangements.

Driving to Lick Observatory

Please allow a one-hour drive from San Jose. The road is good, but windy. The event typically lasts between 4 and 6 hours; prepare to drive home late in the evening. Parking is limited at the Observatory, so we encourage car pooling. There are no automative services or gas stations for 20 miles, so please plan ahead. See more information on driving directions and parking here.

Age Recommendations

We advise that children be at least 12 years old to participate. We trust parents and caregivers to use their judgment in determining the suitability of purchasing a ticket for their child.

Amenities

Mt Hamilton is a remote location. There is no food or gas at the observatory. Bring layers as the mountaintop can get chilly!

Join the Mailing List

Join the Summer Series mailing list to get updates on when events are scheduled, when tickets will go on sale,  and announcements of new programs.

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