Photo courtesy County of San Diego
East County News Service
June 4, 2026 (Lakeside) — For San Diego County residents looking to explore the cosmos without having to go far, the checking out the universe is within your reach.
Through the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation’s “Parks After Dark” program, the San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) is bringing a series of free, public Star Parties to Lakeside’s Sycamore Canyon and Oakoasis preserves this summer and fall.
The eight coming nighttime events offer a rare chance to experience the county’s open space preserves after hours.
Expert volunteer astronomers from the SDAA will be on hand with professional-grade telescopes, able to guide visitors through the constellations, planets and deep-sky objects visible in the East County night sky.
“Our outreach members are available at most events to answer your questions about the night sky, and using equipment such as binoculars, telescopes, and sometimes live imaging systems,” the SDAA shares on its website.
The SDAA recommends for anyone considering taking up astronomy as a hobby, wait on any telescope purchases until attending one of these events to test out different equipment and see what works best.
The Lakeside star parties are scheduled at two dark-sky locations:
Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Preserve: Events are held at the Highway 67 Staging Area (13898 state Route 67, Lakeside). Noe that this staging area is accessible only from the southbound direction of SR 67.
Oakoasis County Preserve: Located at 12620 Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside.
All ages are welcome, and there is no cost to attend. Visitors are encouraged to dress in layers, as temperatures can drop quickly after sunset, and to wear sturdy shoes for navigating the preserves in the dark.
As with any astronomy event, Mother Nature has the final say — heavy cloud cover or rain will cancel the viewings.
Upcoming East County Star Party schedule is as follows:
- Friday, June 26 (7 to 10 p.m.) at Sycamore Canyon
- Saturday, July 11 (8 to 9:30 p.m.) at Oakoasis
- Friday, July 24 (7 to 10 p.m.) at Sycamore Canyon
- Friday, Aug. 28 (7 to 10 p.m.) at Sycamore Canyon
- Friday, Sept. 25 (7 to 10 p.m.) at Sycamore Canyon
- Friday, Oct. 23 (7 to 10 p.m.) at Sycamore Canyon
- Friday, Nov. 27 (7 to 10 p.m.) at Sycamore Canyon
- Friday, Dec. 25 (7 to 10 p.m.) at Sycamore Canyon
For more information or to confirm weather conditions on the day of the event, contact the Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch preserve at (858) 513-4737 or check the San Diego County Parks calendar.