Mt Wilson Observatory - A night of Observation on the 100" Telescope
California | June 14, 2026
History is filled with astronomers whose meticulous observations have shaped our understanding of the universe. What must it have been like to be one of them, standing beneath the night sky, peering into the cosmos? Step into their shoes and observe the universe through one of the largest telescopes ever built: the legendary 100-inch Hooker Telescope. Perched on a ridge of the San Gabriel mountains, a mile above Los Angeles, this is the instrument Edwin Hubble used to discover the expanding universe and forever change our understanding of it. For almost three decades, it was the most powerful telescope on Earth and its legacy still echoes through every corner of modern astronomy. For one unforgettable night, you’ll experience firsthand what it means to be an astronomical observer.
Before darkness falls and the stars emerge, your personal guide will lead you across the historic grounds of Mt. Wilson Observatory. Then the real adventure begins: a full night of observation, sweeping across the galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters that captivated the greatest scientific minds of the 20th century. As dawn approaches you’ll sleep in the Monastery dormitory, in the same rooms where Hubble, Hale, Shapley, Humason, and briefly Einstein once rested between their own nights at the eyepiece.
Dates:
June 14, 2026
SOLD OUT
Activity level:
Moderate:
high altitude, trail-walking, hills and stairs, non-ADA compliant facilities
Maximum size:
20 passengers
Price:
$850 Double Occupancy
Trip Highlights
- Dinner prior to leaving the base of the mountain
- Personal tour of the observatory grounds
- Private transfer from the base of the mountain to the Observatory and back
- Privately reserved full night of observing on the 100-inch telescope
- On-site accommodations in the historic Monastery dormitory
- Astronomer guide who once lived and worked at the observatory
- Maximum group size: 20
Pricing and Terms
Payment
- $850 (USD) per traveler (14 and older) – based on double occupancy
- Single supplement: $50
- Triple reduction: $15 pp
- Lower age limit is 14 years old. There is no child rate.
- To secure a spot, initial non-refundable deposit ($100) with a completed reservation form is required.
- Cancellations must be made in writing by email or mail to Sirius Travel.
- Final payment due May 5, 2026
Cancellations
- If cancellations are made:
- prior to May 5, 2026 – all payments are refunded except the non-refundable deposit
- There are no refunds after May 5, 2026
NOTE: Sometimes an observing session must be cancelled at the last minute due to weather, telescope/observatory operations and/or external reasons. If this occurs we will provide a full 100% refund of all payments made, including the deposit.
Detailed Itinerary
* Subject to minor modifications
4-5PM: Meet the group in La Cañada.
Get acquainted with your Sirius guide and fellow observers over a welcome meal at a La Cañada restaurant. Afterward, we’ll take the scenic drive up the mountain, arriving at Mt. Wilson Observatory in time to meet our observatory tour guide. Guests driving in are welcome to leave their cars overnight at the La Cañada Park and Ride.
Observatory Tour begins
Our private tour of the Observatory is the perfect way to immerse yourself in its remarkable history, taking in both the 60 and 100-inch telescopes before your observing session begins. The tour will take between 1 and 2 hours. With a longtime resident of the mountain as one of your guides, expect the stories to be vivid, entertaining, and difficult to verify.
Sunset: Observing begins!
Red flashlights at the ready, beverages hot, snacks close at hand – the next 8 to 10 hours are yours to live as an astronomer of the early 20th century.
Sunrise: Retire to the Monastary
As astronomical twilight begins, we’ll wind down our observations and make our way to the Monastery — the historic dormitory where generations of Mt. Wilson astronomers stayed during their observation runs. Catch a few hours of sleep in the same rooms once occupied by your famous predecessors. When you wake, a light breakfast of coffee/tea and pastries will be waiting.
Farewell to Mt. Wilson
After breakfast, we’ll cap our adventure with a special tour of the Snow Solar Telescope before checking out of the Monastery by noon. Then it’s back aboard the coach for the return to Los Angeles and modern life.
Included
- Sirius Astronomer guide(s)
- Local observatory guide
- 1:10 maximum passenger to guide ratio
- All ground transportation
- Accommodation in the Monastery dormitory on-site
- Meals (as described in itinerary)
- Admission fees to sites described
Not Included
- Transport to and from the tour meeting spot
- Items of a personal nature
- Alchoholic beverages
- Tips for drivers and guides
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Activities or services not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
Other Information
Trip cancellation, health, and accident insurance is recommended but not required. It can save you money if you are forced to cancel or alter your trip. We recommend TravelGuard trip insurance (www.travelguard.com) and we recommend that all travelers purchase their insurance within 7 days of their initial reservation to take advantage of any pre-existing condition clause.
It is every traveler’s responsibility to consider all appropriate medical advice regarding whether or not they are fit to take this trip prior to booking their reservation. We recommend that all interested travelers check with their healthcare provider before signing on. The main concerns on this trip will be altitude, moderate walking on uneven surfaces and paths, and disruption to your sleep schedule.
Children 14 and older are welcome on this tour but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian if they are under 18.
- The high elevation of the Observatory (5715 ft) and the change in elevation during the approximately one-mile and two-hour long tour are unsuitable for individuals with respiratory and heart problems or with limited mobility.
- The century-old facilities are not ADA-compliant and, except for the Astronomical Museum and the Cosmic Cafe, offer no access to those who cannot climb multiple flights of stairs. Thus, tours of the Observatory, either guided or unguided, are inappropriate for some elderly people and for those who are not in good health.
- Visitors should take these factors into consideration before touring the Observatory.
• • Only ADA-defined service animals are permitted on docent-led tours; pets and emotional support animals may not enter
The dome was opened in 1917 and is not ADA-compliant, offering no access for those who cannot climb stairs. Visiting is not suggested for those with respiratory or heart problems due to the stairs and the 5700-ft elevation.
If you are traveling alone, you may opt to share a room. We will match solo travelers of the same gender so that they can share a double occupancy room with two beds. We will do our best to match travelers but if we cannot find a match for you then you will be required to pay the single occupancy price. Since there are only 2 single rooms, they will be assigned first come, first serve.
Located on the Observatory campus, the “Monastery” was designed by Myron Hunt and constructed in the early 20th century. This dormitory housed astronomers and staff working long nights on the mountain, and served as a communal residence where scientists could eat, sleep, and continue discussions sparked at the telescopes just steps away.
Staying at the Monastery offers the chance to sleep where astronomers once lived and worked — the likes of Hale, Hubble, Einstein, Shapley — to step outside in the famously dark skies, and to feel directly connected to the Observatory’s extraordinary scientific legacy.
- As the building is over 100 years old, please be aware this is a “rustic” experience.
- It is a dormitory set-up, with two shared bathrooms in the first floor hallways.
- Rooms are simple, including beds, a desk, and a sink.
- There is single (2 rooms), double (5 rooms), and triple (3 rooms) occupancy available.
In June, Mt. Wilson enjoys pleasant, mild-to-warm weather — daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to low 80s°F, with nights cooling into the 50s. As a bonus, the marine layer that settles over Los Angeles during the evening hours sits well below the Observatory’s elevation, helping to darken the sky by blocking the city lights below.
Bring warm layers like sweater, coat, hat, gloves, etc. as the dome is not heated and the temperature in the dome can quickly drop. Sturdy closed-toed shoes or boots are recommended. Please do not wear flip-flops or sandals.
Special and advance approval from the Session Director is required for cameras or other devices to be mounted to the telescope. Before the session starts, feel free to take photographs of the telescope and Observatory grounds.
While the Telescope Operator has a list of appropriate objects for the 100-inch Telescope, please feel free to bring your own observing list. The Telescope Operator’s decision is final on whether a particular object can be observed at a particular time.
