Heading out to Los Padres National Forest and I have a question (Palm Springs: motels, camping)

[ACalifornian]

I've lived in and around the San Fernando Valley all my life and, when I saw a breathtaking photo of Death Valley at night (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ky_nps_big.jpg), I became interested in trekking out to the boondocks to see the stars. I've seen some very pretty photos of Los Padres at night, so I thought it'd make a pretty good locale for stargazing. I'll try heading out to the Pyramid Lake area, is that a suitable area? Here are some shots of the forest at night, how would the views near Pyramid Lake compare? _DSC6566.jpg | Flickr - Photo Sharing! 2012 Perseid Meteor Shower | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[.highnlite]

What you want to do is to get away from ambient light, Pyramid Lake is to close to I5, here is my recommendation.
First get a Los Padres Forest Map, I don't anyone saying I sent some guy off into the woods to get lost and perish.
Second take I5 to Lebec, then take Lockwood Valley Road to the Pine Springs Road, take that to Pine Springs Campground, no ambient light, great stars. When you get hungry head west to Camp Scheideck, to into the Reyes Creek Bar and Grill and eat, you will thank me.

[1200RT]

Not to derail too much, but Lockwood Valley Rd (and its dirt off shoots) is one of my favorite Socal rides.

[Litlove71]

Be prepared for very low temps--potential snow--if you're planning on doing this now.

[sourdough]

Right near Pyramid Lake is the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. Camprgrounds too.

[.highnlite]

Originally Posted by Litlove71

Be prepared for very low temps--potential snow--if you're planning on doing this now.

Lockwood Road is paved and plowed and not much snow if any that low yet, will be pleasantly cool.

Originally Posted by sourdough

Right near Pyramid Lake is the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. Camprgrounds too.

Hungry Valley is not a pleasant place to camp unless you are part of the beer and gasoline crowd. Pine Springs is very quiet, last time I was there I was alone, in June, except for the CHP and his girlfriend who came in in his patrol car and made whoopie..... I kid you not. They did not see me as my bike was tucked away and I had no tent.

1200RT, that area is a great place to wander. Reyes Creek Bar and Grill is not the hangout of limp wristed liberals, except for me of course, according to another poster..

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Region 5 - Geospatial Data

A good map

[ACalifornian]

Thanks for all the replies! Sorry if I was misleading, but I'm not actually planning on camping out or anything - I'd just like to spend the night. Will the view be nice if you're next to the lake or do you have to get away from the interstate?

[nightlysparrow]

For future reference, some of the best stargazing in SoCal is out in the desert beyond Palm Springs.

[.highnlite]

Originally Posted by ACalifornian

Thanks for all the replies! Sorry if I was misleading, but I'm not actually planning on camping out or anything - I'd just like to spend the night. Will the view be nice if you're next to the lake or do you have to get away from the interstate?

You need to get away from any light source, freeway or town. Take the exact route I told you about, just don't camp. There is a range of motels in Lebec from pretty shady to Holiday Inn Express.

For truly amazing night sky, you need to get above 10,000 feet in the Sierra.