Lick Observatory in San Jose, Santa Clara County, United States | Observatory

Lick Observatory on Mt Hamilton in San Jose, CA, California and a staff of astronomers is comprised of extensive technical facilities, a business office, telescope and support facilities.

Lick Observatory is open to daytime visitors nearly every day of the year. Enjoy an informal talk about Lick Observatory history while taking a look at the Great Lick Refractor in the 36-inch telescope dome. We invite the public to view exhibits in the main Observatory building.

Visit the gift Shop and check out the Lick Observatory sweatshirts, T-shirts, mugs, wineglasses, and astronomical photographs as well as posters, educational toys, and other astronomy-related goodies!

Visitors are also invited to take a short walk to the Shane Dome to view the 120-inch Reflector from the Visitors’ Gallery. Displays explain the Shane reflector, one of the major telescopes used to discover planets outside of our solar system.