Twinkle Twinkle
Watch A Meteor Shower
An awe-inspiring celestial event that everyone needs to experience at least once in their lives.
Time Required
Overnight
Difficulty
Easy
Activity Type
Camping + Stargazing
Stuff To Bring
Warm sleeping bag, flashlight, star map
Overview
Meteor showers are one of the most common and spectacular celestial events and can be enjoyed in almost any location, though the further you are from bright city lights, the better the show. This microadventure is fairly straightforward: pick a night during one of the annual meteor showers, go to the darkest spot you can find, be it in your backyard or at one of these dark sky sites, settle into your sleeping, look up, and wait. It’s only a matter of time (how much depends on a number of factors) before you see a bright light streak across the sky.
Unfortunately 2016 is shaping up to be a poor year for seeing meteors, as the best showers will all have to contend with at least a little interference from the moon. But that shouldn’t stop you from getting out under the August sky, even if you only see a few shooting stars, there’s still plenty to see and marvel at.
Where To Go
A dark sky is the most important factor in whether you’ll seeing meteors. There are several “dark sky sites” within driving distance of San Francisco, including Fremont Peak Observatory and Henry Coe State Park near Morgan Hill. The coast range is a natural light barrier, and you can get good viewing conditions just by being on the western side of the range.
Which brings us to the second most important factor, especially in the Bay Area: how clear the sky is. Make sure to check the overnight weather report before heading out.
If you’re really committed to watching a meteor shower under pristine skies, you can drive out to the Panoche Hills in the San Joaquin valley two hours south of San Francisco. The hills are controlled by the Bureau of Land Management, which means you can camp right off the side of the road. With their wide open spaces and pitch dark skies, you won’t find a better site to see meteors within a two hour drive of the Bay. Directions can be found here.
Why You Should Go
A good meteor shower is an unforgettable experience that can easily leave you breathless. And there’s nothing like staying up with friends till the wee hours of the morning.
