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Palomar Mountain

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Palomar Mountain

Palomar Mountain, in northern San Diego County, California, is well known as the home of the Cal Tech Palomar Observatory.

At about 6140 feet, it is one of the highest points in San Diego county. At Boucher Lookout (at the state park) on a clear day you can enjoy a panoramic view of almost the entire county including the City of San Diego 50 miles to the south.

Palomar Mountain State Park is a favorite campground and recreation area, and includes a school camp experience for San Diego County school children. The State Park day use facilities have reopened as of February 22, 2008. They had been closed due to extensive damage from the 2007 firestorms that ravaged the area in October. I inspected the State Park a day or two after the fires moved out of the area. There was substantial destruction with almost no area untouched by fire, so it is great to know that things are in shape for visitors again. I'm hoping to visit the park next week (in early April) and I'll report what I find.

There is also camping at several other camp grounds in the area, and several great hiking areas.

There are a number of great camping spots on or near Palomar Mountain. Here's a few.

Palomar Mountain State Park: Here is a nice place to spend a few days or weeks. Lots of hiking, and good old outdoor fun. Note: Due to the 2007 fires the State Park is currently closed.
Fry Creek - Federal Campground: I've seen fox and deer in this area. A very nice little campground
Observatory Campground: A nice camping area with easy access to a trail that leads to the world famous Palomar Observatory. There are sites here for hobby astronomers to set up their telescopes.
Lake Henshaw: Lake Henshaw is at the base of Palomar and to the east. There are cabins and camping available here, as well as fishing in the lake.
Oak Knoll Campground: A private campground at the base of Palomar Mountain at South Grade and Hwy 76.
PDF file of Palomar Mountain State Park brochure: Here is a very nicely done brochure of the State Park - it's a PDF file so if you have a slow connection it will take a while to download.
La Jolla Indian Reservation Campground: Cold and HOT showers, Fire Rings, BBQ's, River-side Sites, Group Sites, RV Sites, Hiking, Tubing down the San Luis Rey River. I've never camped here, but I've visited and it is very nice.

Books about Palomar Mountain

Lodging On or Near Palomar Mountain

A pleasant night stay far from the city might be just the thing

The Palomar Mounatin Lodge Bed and Breakfast: An historic lodge built in the 1920's and recently re-opened. As I understand it they will soon be serving food as well as offering rooms.
Bailey's Palomar Resort: Cabins and camping. An historic location worth visiting.

Hiking Palomar Mountain

Palomar Mountain provides numerous hiking opportunities. I've hiked all over this area for the last 40 or so years, and I still haven't covered all the hikes I've read about.

One very popular trail is the Observatory Trail. This hike is about 2 miles long, one-way, and connects the Palomar Observatory with the Observatory Campground. Most of the hike is in the trees, so on a hot days you can stay shaded and cool - or at least cool-ish.

There are also a variety of trails at the State Park, although for the time being the park is closed due to the recent fires.

Hiking Trails on Palomar

Doane and French Valley: Tour Doane and French valleys on Palomar Mountain, and enjoy some of San Diego County's finest high-elevation woodlands and meadows. - Note: This area has bee affected by the 2007 Fires and is not accessible at this time
Observatory Trail: Before or after visiting Palomar Observatory, ramble along the nearby Observatory Trail to the Observatroy Campground. This is about 2 miles one-way, or 4 miles for the down and back hike.
Love Valley: Love Valley is a little-known day-use destination near the foot of Palomar Mountain in the Cleveland National Forest
Fry Creek: The beautiful but sometimes hard-to-follow Fry Creek Trail circles the head of a densely wooded drainage on Palomar Mountain
The Agua Caliente Creek Trail: Agua Caliente Creek Trail is part of the Pacific Coast Trail, and is north-east of Palomar near Warner Springs. During the fall this area is especially beautiful.

The Outdoor School Program

You can link to this site for information about the San Diego County Outdoor Education Program

The program provides a camp experience for school children from throughout San Diego County. There is a Camp Palomar at the State Park, and Camp Fox on Highway 76 between the La Jolla Indian Reservation and Lake Henshaw.

As far as I can determine, neither of the camps were damaged during the 2007 Fire Storm. However, much of the forest around Camp Palomar has been badly burned.

Interesting links

Here are a few resources that might be of interest

Palomar Mountain Web Cam: This web cam takes a pic out in the Fern Meadow area and can give you a sense of what the weather is like up on the mountain.
Friends of Palomar Observatory: Provides members only tours and events.

Wildlife

Palomar Mountain represents a number of ecosystems and supports a lot of wildlife. I've seen deer, coyotes, fox, bobcats, snakes, racoons, and others. I haven't seen a mountain lion yet, but I've seen their tracks.

Please leave a note

If there is anything you'd lke to know, just ask

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Melissa Jan 25, 2009 @ 1:59 pm | delete

Thanks for the info on Mount Palomar. I've lived in San Diego for 8 years and have not visited this area. I will definitely be planning a hike soon.!

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Marissa May 4, 2008 @ 11:40 pm | delete

I was going to make reservations for Palomar Mountain State Park but I'm wondering how the campground was affected by the 2007 fire. By the sounds of it the State Park was badly burned. I'd like to make reservations for Fry Creek or the Observatory campground but I understand they are first come, first serve.
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