Click on photos above for larger images

 > > > For dates of upcoming star parties, see the CCAS Calendar < < <

For photos of our KOA star party location, see KOA Star Hill Location Photos

For star party photos, see the CCAS Photo Gallery

Location:  Santa Margarita Lake KOA Kampground  (805)438-5618

Map:  Santa Margarita Lake KOA Kampground Locator Map

Coordinates:    Latitude: 35:19:14N    Longitude: 120:29:49W

Santa Margarita Lake Clear Sky Clock

If you would like the CCAS to conduct a star party for your school or organization,
please see Community Outreach for important considerations and guidance.

For a basic understanding of the Universe, see Tour of the Universe

If you are interested in a rustic, remote dark-sky location for telescope work, check out Navajo Flats.
This location does not "belong" to the CCAS, so please treat it carefully.
It is NOT used for CCAS star parties, only personal work.  We are only visitors.

What is a Star Party
In a nutshell, it is a very dark, nighttime gathering of stargazers to view the cosmos through telescopes and binoculars.  This is a fundamental activity for astronomy clubs.  For some people this is one of their high points each month (no pun intended).  Once a month, CCAS members and friends gather on a very dark hilltop to pay homage to the the celestial gods by gazing deep into the cosmos, Ooooing and Aahhhing at each of their deep space discoveries, sometimes grumbling to themselves over not being able to find that particular distant star or get their computerized telescope to work properly.

People having bulky telescopes are to arrive before it gets dark to set up their telescopes and their supply of "warming" refreshments to ward off the evening chill.  For astronomers having telescopes, getting there before dark is a must since it can be very difficult or impossible to find a proper parking place.  So, if it is dark when you arrive, park in the flat dirt parking area at the base of the hill.  It is VERY discourteous to drive up the hill after dark, so PLEASE DON'T.  All guests are to park at the base of the hill.

It is a very friendly atmosphere.  The astronomers who participate with their telescopes are always anxious to share their love of astronomy with each other and with anyone who decides to join them for the evening.  The public is welcome to attend, learning a little something about telescopes and the skies and hopefully developing an excitement about astronomy.  There is no admission charge and you do not have to be staying at the KOA Kampground to attend the star party.  One of the driving principals of the CCAS is to promote astronomy in our community, especially the younger generations.  As our motto states "Sharing the Skies".

Star Party Schedule
Star parties generally occur the Saturday closest to the "New Moon" (no Moon) each month.  For the current schedule of star parties, see the CCAS Calendar.

Star Party Location
At Santa Margarita Lake, south of the community of Santa Margarita, northeast of San Luis Obispo.  There is a hill on the right side of the Santa Margarita Lake Road just past the KOA Kampground office.  Parking is off the right side of the road in the KOA's overflow camping area, a dirt and grass campground, just past the main KOA entrance.  CCAS astronomers having telescopes usually park on top of the hill in a wagon-train-style circle since many of them need close access to their equipment and supplies.  Location map

MEMBERS AND VISITORS ATTENDING A STAR PARTY WITHOUT A BULKY TELESCOPE, PLEASE PARK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL.   NO DRIVING UP STAR PARTY HILL AFTER DARK!

It is a short walk up the hill.  If you are a visitor wishing to attend an event, you might wish to extend your day's outing and stop by the Santa Margarita Lake (while it is still daylight) which is only about another 1/2 mile beyond the the KOA Kampground.  It is a beautiful lake and the drive to the lake from the small community of Santa Margarita, just off of Hwy 101, is a beautiful drive.  If you make this drive at dusk or at night, be sure to watch out for deer on the road.  This is a very beautiful area of our county having oak-covered rolling hills and pasture land, so take your time and be careful making the drive.  Santa Margarita Lake is an excellent place for a picnic lunch, so give it some thought.  There is an entrance fee to the lake.

Restroom facilities are located at the KOA office at the bottom of star party hill. 

Directions and Maps
From the tiny community of Santa Margarita, which is north of San Luis Obispo over the Cuesta Grade just off of Hwy 101, at the east end of town turn south on Hwy 58.  This road is also called Pozo Road.  From this initial turnoff on Hwy 58 south, about 1 mile down the road Hwy 58 makes a left turn, but DON'T make the left turn, at this point you continue straight, staying on Pozo Road.  Follow Pozo Road for about 6 or 7 miles at which point you turn left on to Santa Margarita Lake Road.  At this junction is the small Rinconada General Store and Campground.  Drive up the Santa Margarita Lake Road about 1 mile to the turnoff into the KOA overflow camping area, which is just past the main KOA entrance on your right.  You are now at star party hill.  Be sure to read the parking instructions in the section above.

NOTE:  If you don't have a large, bulky telescope, please park at the bottom of Star Hill.  If you have a large telescope and must have your vehicle next to your scope, drive to the top of Star Hill, but do so before sundown.  Parking on Star Hill is wagon-circle-style around the perimeter of the small hilltop.   Parking on Star Hill is VERY limited, so first-come, first-served.

Some of the following map links are Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF map images suitable for printing.   If you don't have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software on your PC, click on the Get Acrobat Reader logo below:

       » SLO County Map 
       » High level view of the county and Santa Margarita Lake  PDF
       » Santa Margarita street map  PDF
       » KOA Kampground Map
       » Printable text file of directions
       » Santa Margarita Lake Road map:

Who Attends
Anyone.  The public is welcome to visit.  No need to sign-up or get permission.   No admission fee.  Just show up if the sky is clear and enjoy the evening and fascinating discussions.  Our monthly star parties are meant for the enjoyment of both members and the public.

What to Bring
This is important ... be sure to bring warm clothing (wool caps, gloves, etc.) and old tennis shoes or boots because of the dirt or possibly muddy conditions.  Bring lawn chairs and a small flashlight.  Bring some refreshments to keep you fed and warm.  If you are serious about your viewing experience, be prepared to stay until the wee hours of the morning as some heavenly bodies don't reach optimum viewing position until the middle of the night or very early morning.  Generally, an object's best viewing time is midnight, when it is directly overhead.  Most important of all ... bring your curiosity, knowledge and a spirit of friendship to share with everyone.  CCAS astronomers have a wealth of fascinating facts and stories to tell to anyone who shows sincere interest.  And young folks are very welcome and encouraged to join the gathering.

Important Words of Caution

1.  NO, REPEAT NO, WHITE-LIGHTS (FLASHLIGHTS OR CAR HEADLIGHTS) ON THE HILL.

2.  IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BULKY TELESCOPE, PLEASE PARK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL.  THE HILLTOP IS VERY CRAMPED.

3.  CHILDREN MUST BE SUPERVISED.  THIS IS NOT A CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA.

Please be sensitive to the fact that telescopes, computers and related equipment are very delicate and expensive, so use extreme care when moving around the telescope viewing area and when being allowed to look through telescopes.  Also be careful when using flashlights so as not to disturb the telescope viewing area.  Astronomers can be very serious about their work and don't appreciate the intrusion of light while using their scopes.   This is not a play area for children.  It is very dark and easy to trip over things, possibly hurting somebody and damaging equipment, so please use good judgment in bringing small children.

Participation in CCAS Star Parties is strictly voluntary by everyone involved.  Sometimes we have many telescopes on the hill and sometimes just a couple.  We do not provide last minute star party status updates .... if the weather is questionable, some or all of the astronomers may not show up.  Sometimes it comes right down to the hour before we really know if we will be fortunate to have clear sky.  Also, if we have had several days or a week of clear weather following significant rain, even though the star party day may be beautiful, the hill may be too muddy for a gathering.  So, be informed that you may arrive only to find that the star party does not occur as planned or that there may only be a couple of hardy souls there for the evening.  If you are in doubt about ground conditions, you might try calling the KOA Campground at (805)438-5618.  Or, check the CCAS website Directory page or try calling the CCAS President (see Operations) for star party status.

For more detailed pointers, PLEASE READ CCAS Star Party Cautions.  You will also find other notes of caution from San Jose Astronomical Association's Star Party Etiquette .

A Final Word
Come join us, have fun, learn a little something and help promote the wonderful world of astronomy and space exploration.  The future of our entire human existence literally lies in the stars, so why not educate yourself about their existence.   You will be absolutely amazed at the vastness of it all and just how crowded space is with planets, galaxies and stars.  It is truly mind boggling and awe inspiring.   And you just may think more seriously on the question "Is there other life out there besides ourselves?".  You just may be very surprised with what you start to realize.