Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Located in the Colorado Desert in San Diego County, the park is a popular destination for many nature and astronomy enthusiasts. It was officially recognized as an International Dark Sky Park in January 2018.
More information about the park and activities is available from the Anza Borrego Foundation and the Anza Borrego Natural History Association.
Borrego Springs
A desert community embedded within Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, with the support of the Borrego Dark Sky Coalition, was designated a Dark Sky Community in 2009. Situated on the desert floor, the town is protected from city light by the surrounding mountains and features many fine observing sites.
Nightfall Star Party & Imaging Conference
Nightfall is hosted by the Riverside Astronomical Society under the clear autumn skies over Anza Borrego Desert. Established in 1993, the three night event takes place at a desert resort that maintains a red-light-only environment in the hotel and RV park.
San Diego Astronomy Association
SDAA is celebrating 50 years of Astronomical Outreach and Education, and hosts or participates in multiple Star Parties each month throughout San Diego County, including the club’s dark sky site, Tierra Del Sol.
Observatory Campground is located in the Cleveland forest on Palomar mountain, and shares the same night skies as Palomar Observatory, just 2 miles away. The site features the Explore the Stars program, presented by local amateur astronomers, a series of monthly two night star parties in spring, summer, and fall.
The Julian Dark Sky Network is an organization whose mission is to preserve the dark skies of Julian, California, a community that is part of the 1% of the U.S. that can still see the Milky Way. After five years of effort, in May of 2021, Julian was accredited as an International Dark Sky Community, only the second in California.
