Dark Sky Locations in Central California

These locations* have been recommended by club members.
If you have additional recommendations, please let us know.

 

Vineyard Dog Park

Reasonably dark skies and good surface.
parks4pups.org/vineyard-dog-park-templeton

 

Santa Margarita Lake

The campsites in the Grey Pines Loop are reasonably dark. 
slocountyparks.com/camp/santa-margarita-lake/

 

Blinn Ranch Trailhead

Has dark skies but can be dusty. Not a good area after rains. Car lights after dark are an issue but traffic is light.
10 Miles past Santa Margarita Lake turnoff and a couple miles up River Road.
alltrails.com/trail/us/california/blinn-ranch-and-santa-margarita-trail

 

Navajo Flat Campground

Very low southern horizon (can see Omega Cen and NGC 5128 from there) and has some very dark skies. Not a good place after bad weather. 
25 miles east of Santa Margarita Lake.
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=11129

 

San Antonio Lake Campground

Has some very dark skies and is the site used in the fall for the CalStar Star Party.
calstar.observers.org/general-info-faq/

 


*Central Coast Astronomical offers no guarantees as to the quality or accessibility of these locations. We encourage you to verify that that location you have in mind is open.

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