Julian's Star Treatment
Stay and Stargaze at the Observers Inn
Want the full celestial experience where you can spend the night or just drop in for an experience that'll have you all starry-eyed? There's a cozy B&B for that. Nestled under the straggly pines and scrubby oaks of Julian, the 4.5-acre Observer’s Inn is a bed-and-breakfast catering to everyone from the backyard stargazing enthusiast to the full-on astronomy buff.
Owner Mike Leigh has studied astronomy for more than 52 years, and his stargazing tours are some of the best. Stay overnight at the inn and you're guaranteed a discounted night sky tour. But even those not spending the night can get in on the tours, which are $30 per person. With a 15-person maximum, the 60-minute tour is personal, private, and begins right from the inn. An observatory built from scratch by Mike includes a sliding roof that allows visitors to view the night sky from the comfort of a warm room, with a couch and a range of high-power telescopes. And because you're at altitude, there's even less atmosphere between you and the stars. Most visitors see an average of 12 celestial objects—from a planet to a nebula to a galaxy. Starry night, indeed.
TIP: Time your trip to hit the Julian StarFest, August 1-3, 2019. A variety of telescopes will be set up for a free public viewing of the night sky.
Observer’s Inn is at 3535 Hwy. 79. The inn is small, with a maximum of two couples per night. Call for reservations: (760) 765-0088. May be weather permitting for stargazing tours. No dogs.
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