Entry No. 21 — the Monterey file — filed under: observatory
Bernard M. Oliver Observing Station (Chews Ridge Observatory)
MIRA's 36-inch research telescope sits at 5,000 feet next to a 1929 fire lookout tower, reached by nine miles of unpaved, high-clearance-only road — it was the first private professional observatory to open in the US in the 20th century, and astronomers still call it a 90-minute trek from their Marina campus.
The move: Call ahead (831-883-1000) to book a summer Sunday observatory tour, then drive Tassajara Road together at golden hour in something with real ground clearance — walk out to the adjacent fire lookout for sunset over the Santa Lucia Range before heading in to look through the 36-inch scope.
- 📍 Los Padres National Forest, near Carmel Valley
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Chews Ridge, off Tassajara Road (Forest Route 18S02), Los Padres National Forest, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: mira.org · Wikipedia · thelutrinae.com
last checked: 2026-07-20