BBSO Tours
Touring Big Bear Solar Observatory - Call for Reservations

Starting June 13 2024 and until Sept 30 2024, the Big Bear Solar Observatory will be offering tours in a limited capacity. Please note that the tour is not recommended for children under age of 5.

Tours will be on every other Thursday from 2pm to 3pm. Tours are FREE but donations are welcome.

To reserve your tour you may use online form, contact the office at 909-866-5791x210, or email at
Feel free to check out some of our virtual tours.

Big Bear Solar Observatory is owned and operated by the New Jersey Institute of Technology, since 1997, and as such it is private property. We have partnered with the Big Bear Valley Astronomical Society to provide docent tour guides and have now begun scheduling tours for the public.

Visiting

The observatory is 1/2 mile west of the Discovery Center on Hwy 38/North Shore Drive. For more detailed directions click here . Please understand that due to the limitations of our docent volunteers and the physical size of the observatory, tours must remain small and limited in size. All attending must be able to walk 1000' down and back on a gravel road as well as up and down three flights of stairs to access the telescope.