Shooting Stars Near LA: 14 Best Stargazing Spots for Kids (Plus the 2026–2027 Meteor Shower Calendar)
The best stargazing spots near LA for kids range from free telescopes at Griffith Observatory to true dark-sky deserts a few hours away, and November is a great month to start. The Leonid meteor shower peaks the night of Monday, November 16, into Tuesday, November 17, 2026, followed by the Geminids, the best shower of the year, on December 13 to 14.
Below, we round up 14 family-friendly places to look up, from city star parties where volunteers share their telescopes to mountain overlooks and desert parks where the Milky Way really shows off. We also put together a 2026–2027 meteor shower calendar and our favorite tips for keeping little astronomers warm, happy and wide-eyed.
Key Takeaways
Next big shows: Leonids peak Nov. 16–17, 2026; Geminids peak Dec. 13–14, 2026; Quadrantids peak Jan. 3–4, 2027.
Easiest start: Free public telescopes and monthly star parties at Griffith Observatory.
Darkest skies: Joshua Tree National Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, an International Dark Sky Park.
Best viewing times: After midnight and before dawn, away from city lights, with the moon low or set.
What to pack: Red flashlight, warm layers, blankets or reclining chairs, snacks and patience.
The 2026–2027 Meteor Shower Calendar
Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through dust left behind by comets and asteroids. Here are the peak nights to circle on the family calendar, based on the American Meteor Society's meteor shower calendar. Peaks are usually best in the hours before dawn, and you can often catch meteors a night or two on either side.
Leonids: Night of Nov. 16–17, 2026 (about 15 meteors an hour at best; moon about half full and sets around midnight)
Geminids: Night of Dec. 13–14, 2026 (the year's strongest shower; thin moon sets early)
Ursids: Night of Dec. 21–22, 2026 (a light shower, washed out by a nearly full moon)
Quadrantids: Night of Jan. 3–4, 2027 (short, sharp peak; slim moon)
Lyrids: Night of Apr. 22–23, 2027 (bright moon this year)
Eta Aquariids: Night of May 5–6, 2027 (new moon, pre-dawn viewing)
Perseids: Expected around Aug. 12–13, 2027 (check exact timing closer to the date)
Orionids: Expected around Oct. 21, 2027
Leonids: Expected around Nov. 17, 2027
Parent Tip: The Geminids are the best pick for younger kids because meteors start showing up in the evening, not just in the middle of the night. Try a 9 or 10 p.m. viewing session on December 13.
Stargazing Spots in Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Mountains
These spots are close to home, perfect for a school-night look at the moon and planets or a quick meteor-watch after dinner. City lights limit how many stars you'll see, but star parties and telescopes make up for it.
2800 E. Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Hours: Tuesday–Friday noon–10 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; closed Mondays
Parking: Paid lot and roadside spaces (credit card pay stations), or take the DASH Observatory bus from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station
Admission to the building, grounds and public telescopes is free, which makes Griffith the easiest first stargazing trip for LA families. On clear evenings, staff run the public telescopes, and once a month volunteers from the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers and The Planetary Society fill the lawn with dozens of telescopes for a free public star party. Upcoming star parties are Saturday, November 14, and Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 2 to 9:45 p.m. For even more on exhibits and planetarium shows, see our complete Griffith Observatory guide.
Parent Tip: Arrive in the late afternoon on star party days. Lines grow after dark, and each telescope line is cut off early so everyone finishes by 9:45 p.m. Private telescopes aren't allowed on the grounds, so leave yours at home.
Locations vary (sidewalks in LA, Old Pasadena and Monrovia)
Hours: Clear evenings, often Friday and Saturday nights
Parking: Street parking or nearby public lots
Volunteer "sidewalk astronomers" set up telescopes right on the sidewalk and invite anyone walking by to take a peek at the moon, Jupiter or Saturn. Groups like the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers and the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers in Pasadena pop up on clear nights, and it's completely free. It's a fun, low-key way to show kids that the planets are really up there, even from the middle of the city.
Parent Tip: Sessions depend on the weather and the moon, so check the group's website or social media the day of. A first-quarter moon makes for the most dramatic crater views.
1900 Pico Blvd. (Mathematics + Science Building)
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Hours: Select Friday evenings, plus occasional Sunday family matinées
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
When the marine layer rolls in, the Santa Monica College Planetarium is a cozy backup. Friday shows include "The Night Sky Show," a live tour of what's up in the sky that week, plus a featured program on topics like Mars or eclipses. Tickets are budget-friendly ($10 for adults and $7 for kids 3–12).
Parent Tip: We recommend taking the metro or a ride share, as parking is difficult.
1925 Las Virgenes Road
Calabasas, CA 91302
Hours: Day use until sunset; campground open overnight
Parking: $12 vehicle day-use fee
The Santa Monica Mountains block a lot of the city glow, and Malibu Creek's campground and upper parking area are favorites for casual stargazing. Book a campsite for a weekend in November or December and you can watch the Leonids or Geminids right from your tent, then hike to the old M*A*S*H filming site or Century Lake in the morning.
Parent Tip: Reserve campsites early for meteor shower weekends. Nights get chilly in the canyon, so pack sleeping bags rated for cold weather.
Yerba Buena Road
Malibu, CA 90265
Hours: Please check the website for more information.
Parking: Free trailhead lot; Canyon View Trailhead is under a mile farther if it's full
Sitting high in the western Santa Monica Mountains, about 12 miles from the Westlake Village exit off the 101, the Sandstone Peak area offers some of the darkest skies within an hour of LA. Families can enjoy a sunset hike, then stay to watch the stars come out over the ocean side of the mountains.
Parent Tip: Yerba Buena Road is narrow and winding. Drive up in daylight, and bring headlamps with a red setting for the walk back to the car.
Stargazing in the San Gabriel Mountains, Antelope Valley and Beyond
Head up into the mountains or out to the high desert and the sky changes fast. These spots take 45 minutes to two hours from central LA, and they're worth it for meteor showers.
Mount Wilson Road, off Angeles Crest Highway (Route 2)
Mount Wilson, CA 91023
Hours: Grounds open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; evening events by ticket
Parking: Please check the observatory's Current Conditions page for parking and road updates.
Home to the historic 60-inch and 100-inch telescopes where astronomers discovered that our universe is expanding, Mount Wilson hosts special evening events where the public can look through real research-grade telescopes. The next big one is the Los Angeles Astronomical Society Star Party on November 7–8, 2026, with telescopes set up by club members (tickets required). During the day, families can tour the grounds and the Cosmic Café is open on weekends.
Parent Tip: Phone map apps sometimes give wrong directions to the observatory, so use the official maps and directions page, and check road conditions on Angeles Crest Highway before you go.
Templin Highway exit off I-5
Castaic, CA 91384
Hours: Open roadside pullout
Parking: Wide gravel pullout about 0.7 miles east of the freeway on the right
Less than an hour from downtown when traffic cooperates, this pullout near Castaic is a well-known meteor shower meet-up spot for local skywatchers. The hills block much of the San Fernando Valley glow, and you can be back in bed before midnight.
Parent Tip: Park with your low beams on and turn headlights off quickly so you don't blind other stargazers. A National Forest parking pass may be required in some areas, so check before you go.
28000 Devil's Punchbowl Road
Valyermo, CA 93563
Hours: November–February, Tuesday–Sunday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Mondays
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
This dramatic LA County park on the north side of the San Gabriels hosts free ranger-led night programs, including Saturday Night Sky Telescope Viewing for all ages, moonlight hikes for ages 7 and up, and special "View Falling Stars" meteor shower events. Kids love the twisted rock formations by day and the starry skies after dark.
Parent Tip: Night programs fill up and depend on the weather, so call the nature center or check the county parks calendar for the current schedule before driving out.
15101 Lancaster Road
Lancaster, CA 93536
Hours: Day use until sunset; open later only for scheduled star parties
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
Famous for spring poppies, this state reserve also has wide-open Antelope Valley skies. The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club works with California State Parks to host public dark-sky star parties, when the parking lot stays open after dark and club members share their telescopes.
Parent Tip: The lot is usually chained at sunset, so only plan an evening visit on a scheduled star party night.
Near Frazier Park
Frazier Park, CA 93225
Hours: Open year-round, weather permitting
Parking: Campgrounds and wide pullouts; a $5 National Forest Adventure Pass is required for overnight parking
At more than 8,800 feet, Mount Pinos is one of Southern California's classic amateur astronomy spots, about 90 minutes north of LA. On clear weekends you'll often see telescopes lined up, and the high, dry air makes the Milky Way pop. Stop at the Chuchupate Ranger Station off Lockwood Valley Road for tips on campgrounds and viewing areas.
Parent Tip: Expect snow and freezing temperatures in winter, and carry chains. Pack twice as many layers as you think you need.
Dark-Sky Desert Trips Worth the Drive
For the full "wow" moment, nothing beats the desert. These parks are two to three hours from LA and make an amazing weekend trip.
Joshua Tree Visitor Center, 6554 Park Blvd.
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Hours: Stargazing year-round; visitor center hours vary
Parking: Designated stargazing parking at Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock and Ryan Mountain
Joshua Tree has some of the best night skies in Southern California. The park suggests the Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock and Ryan Mountain parking lots for stargazing, and the remote Pinto Basin for the darkest skies of all. A private vehicle pass costs $30 for seven days, and U.S. fourth graders can get a free 4th Grade Pass for their family.
Parent Tip: Plan around a new moon for the most stars, and give everyone's eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark. Stay within about 20 feet of your car in Pinto Basin.
Utah Trail, near the park's North Entrance
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Hours: Regular evening star parties; please check the website for dates
Parking: On-site parking at the observatory
Just outside Joshua Tree's North Entrance, this volunteer-run observatory and nature center hosts free public star parties with several telescopes trained on the moon, planets and deep-sky objects. It's an easy add-on to a Joshua Tree weekend and a great way for kids to ask real astronomers questions.
Parent Tip: Turn off your headlights as soon as you park and bring a red flashlight. Volunteers will thank you for protecting everyone's night vision.
Visitor Center, 200 Palm Canyon Drive
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Hours: Please check the website for more information.
Parking: Day-use parking fee at the visitor center
California's largest state park became an International Dark Sky Park in 2018, and the nearby town of Borrego Springs is an official Dark Sky Community that keeps outdoor lighting to a minimum. The park offers seasonal stargazing and moon-watching programs, and the desert floor is wide open for spreading out a blanket during meteor showers.
Parent Tip: Cell service is very limited, so download maps ahead of time. Borrego Springs has hotels and restaurants, which makes it one of the easiest dark-sky trips with young kids.
Palomar Mountain
Palomar Mountain, CA 92060
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m., except holidays and weather closures
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
Palomar doesn't offer public night viewing, but it's a must for space-loving kids. Visitors can see the giant dome of the 200-inch Hale Telescope, and select days offer guided tours to the observing floor. Pair a morning here with a Borrego Springs night for the ultimate astronomy weekend.
Parent Tip: Winter weather can close the mountain road, so check the observatory's website the morning you go.
Stargazing With Kids: What to Pack and How to Make It Fun
A little planning turns a cold night outside into a core memory. Here's what we bring every time.
Red flashlight or headlamp: Red light keeps eyes adjusted to the dark. Tape red cellophane over a regular flashlight in a pinch.
Warm layers: Desert and mountain nights can drop below freezing, even after a warm day.
Blankets and reclining chairs: Meteors can appear anywhere, so lying back and looking at the whole sky works best.
Snacks and a thermos: Hot cocoa makes waiting for the next shooting star much easier.
A sky app: Apps like SkyView, Star Walk Kids or Stellarium help kids identify planets and constellations.
Binoculars: A simple pair shows craters on the moon and Jupiter's brightest moons.
Turn it into a game: count meteors together, award points for the brightest one, or let kids make a wish on every shooting star. Short, early viewing sessions work better for little ones than staying out all night.
Parent Tip: Check the forecast and the moon phase before you go. A bright moon washes out fainter meteors, while a cloudy night can cancel the show entirely.
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Takeaway
From free telescopes at Griffith Observatory to the dark desert skies of Joshua Tree and Anza-Borrego, there's a stargazing spot near LA for every age and every drive time. Start with a city star party, then work up to a mountain or desert night when the kids are ready.
Mark your calendar for the Leonids on November 16–17 and the Geminids on December 13–14, 2026, pack the red flashlights and cocoa, and get ready to hear a lot of happy "Did you see that?!" moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can kids see stars in Los Angeles for free?
Griffith Observatory offers free admission and free public telescopes, plus monthly star parties where volunteers share their telescopes. Sidewalk astronomers also set up free telescopes on clear nights in LA and Pasadena. You'll see the moon and bright planets clearly, though city lights hide fainter stars.
When is the Leonid meteor shower in 2026?
The Leonid meteor shower peaks the night of November 16 into November 17, 2026. Expect up to about 15 meteors an hour under dark skies. The moon will be about half full and sets around midnight, so the best viewing is after midnight and before dawn, away from city lights.
What is the best meteor shower for kids to watch?
The Geminids, which peak December 13–14, 2026, are the best choice for kids. They're the strongest shower of the year and meteors start appearing in the evening, so younger children can watch before bedtime. Find a dark spot, bundle up and look toward the whole sky.
Where are the darkest skies near Los Angeles?
The darkest skies within a few hours of LA are in Joshua Tree National Park, especially Pinto Basin, and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, an International Dark Sky Park. Closer options include Mount Pinos, the Antelope Valley and the high points of the Santa Monica Mountains.
What should we bring for stargazing with kids?
Bring a red flashlight or headlamp, warm layers, blankets or reclining chairs, snacks and a hot drink. Binoculars and a sky app make it more fun. Check the weather and moon phase first, and plan shorter sessions for little ones so the night ends on a happy note.
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