Entry No. 36 — the San Francisco file — filed under: observatory

Chabot Space & Science Center — Public Telescope Nights

Three named telescopes on a hilltop above Redwood Regional Park, open to the public on weekend nights: Leah, an 1883 Alvan Clark refractor donated by water/hydraulic-mining magnate Anthony Chabot; Rachel, a 1914 Warner & Swasey refractor with Brashear optics, billed as the largest refractor in the western U.S. regularly open to the public; and Nellie, a 36-inch reflector used for research including tracking near-Earth objects.

The move: Show up on a clear Friday or Saturday night, queue at all three domes, and compare views of Saturn's rings through 140-year-old glass versus a modern research scope — then wander the free outdoor viewing deck with the volunteer astronomers.

• 📍 Oakland Hills
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Wikipedia · Official site

last checked: 2026-07-20