Palomar Mountain State Park
Palomar Mountain S.P. | |||
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Location | 19952 State Park Drive, Palomar Mountain, CA 92060 | ||
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Website http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=637 |
Palomar Mountain State Park is a California State Park. Palomar Mountain is a mountain ridge in the Peninsular Ranges in northern San Diego County of California. It is famous as the location of the Palomar Observatory and Hale Telescope, and known for the Palomar Mountain State Park.
Park Overview
The beautiful forest and mountain meadows of Palomar Mountain State Park are in northern San Diego County, high atop the west side of Palomar Mountain. Large pine, fir and cedar trees make the park one of the few areas in southern California with a Sierra Nevada-like atmosphere. The park features camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing (trout) in Doane Pond. Coniferous forests cover much of the 1,862 acres, in contrast to the dry lowlands surrounding the mountain.
Park Attractions
Boucher Hill Fire Lookout
Boucher Hill Summitt offers spectacular panoramic views both westerly toward the ocean and easterly across the desert. It has been listed in the Sierra Club's "Hundred Peaks Section" since first published in 1946. There you will find the historic Boucher Hill Fire Lookout Station.
Hiking Trails
There are here over 11 miles of trails through oak forests, chaparral, grassy meadows and majestic fir and cedar woodlands.
- Lower Doane Valley & French Valley Trails
- Boucher Hill Loop
- Thunder Spring Trail
- Chimney Flat Loop Trail
- See also : Palomar Mountain Trail Map -
Doane Pond Fishing
Trout fishing can be had at Doane Pond. If you are over 16, you must have a valid California fishing license. There is no size limit but the catch limit is 5. Fishing hours are confined to regular day use hours; fishing is not permitted at night.
California State Parks
California State Parks manages 280 separate park units in California on 1.4 million acres with nearly 15,000 campsites; and 3,000 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Headquartered in Sacramento, it is the largest state park system in the United States.
See Also
- Friends of Palomar SP - profile about the park's interesting history and features.