NOTICE (posted 2025 March 13): Lick Observatory is currently closed to the public due to hazardous conditions caused by snow and ice.
Lick Observatory’s main Visitor Center and Gift Shop are open to the public Saturdays and Sundays Noon to 5pm. The main parking lot and outdoor public areas are open 8am-5pm daily. The Shane Visitor’s Gallery is open to the public daily, 10am to 5pm.

Visitor Center Hours:
The visitor center and gift shop are typically open year-round. Admission is free.
Closed – Monday through Friday
Open 12 – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Free talks inside the dome of the 36-inch Great Refractor are given at the following times:
12:30 p.m 1:30 p.m 2:30 p.m 3:30 p.m 4:30 p.m
The visitor center and gift shop and visitor center are also open on the following holidays:
Open – New Years Eve and New Years Day
Open – Martin Luther King Day
Open – President’s Day
Open – Memorial Day
Closed – Independence Day
Open – Labor Day
Closed – Thanksgiving Thursday
Open – Thanksgiving Friday/Saturday/Sunday
Closed – Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Open – December 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and January 1