California Star Party
Hosted by the San Jose Astronomical Association
September 13-15, 2001
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Register for CalStar 2001 at
www.sjaa.net/calstar2001.html#register
Questions? Contact Mark Wagner
Astronomy Activities:Fees:
- Astronomy at Lake San Antonio!
- Two adjacent observing areas:
- One will be a strict "no-lights" zone from twilight to dawn.
- Another will be set aside for more casual observing.
- The observing areas can accommodate several hundred observers.
- Saturday will be a casual astro-swap: Contact Jim Turley at jturley@xai.com.
- A Bar-B-Q is being discussed for Saturday dinner. More on this as info becomes available.
- Friday night a local school science class will visit the star party.
Camping & Amenities
- Pay at the park entrance, say you are attending the star party.
- Camping costs are reduced to $32 per vehicle for 3 nights.
- Observers may stay Sunday night for an additional $16.00.
Activities In And Around Lake San Antonio
- Campsites have potable water, campfire rings and toilets.
- Private campground with large trees to camp under, leave your equipment set up.
- NO running generators. Charge batteries at RV campground.
- FREE showers nearby (possibly walking distance, or, very short drive).
- RV camping is available nearby the observing site with full hookups.
- Limited number of rental cabins are available in the park.
- Some lodging outside the park can be found at: www.gomonterey.com/lodging/salinas_valleylistings.html.
- Fishing and swimming at the huge lake (small swimming area roped off for kids).
- Great bicycling and birding.
- Centrally located midway between Los Angeles and the San Francisco bay area.
- Paso Robles and wineries are a short drive south at highway 101.
- Nearby sights include Missions San Antonio de Padua 25 miles north and San Miguel near Paso Robles.
- Hearst Castle, Big Sur and San Luis Obispo are day trips!
Update for attendees:
- Enter Lake San Antonio at the south entrance. Here is a map with directions.
- Know where you are going. Here is a map of the camping, RV and cabin areas.
- Lake San Antonio is part of the Monterey County Park system. Abide by the posted rules.
- There are no restaurants or grocery stores at Lake San Antonio. Nearest are at Paso Robles and King City. Bring your own food.
- Cooking facilities and picnic tables at the campgrounds are limited. There are some fire rings with BBQ grates, but you should plan to cook camping style.
- HEAT! Lake San Antonio can be a very hot place during daytime. Do not ignore the following:
- Bring plenty of water or other drinks to keep from dehydrating.
- Bring shade... an umbrella, hat, etc.
- Sunscreen is your friend at Lake San Antonio.
- Driving at the observing area: the speed limit is simple... go slow enough to not raise dust.
- No running! This applies mostly to children attending... running raises dust and is a danger to equipment.
- Quiet hours are until 10 a.m.
- No vehicular traffic is permitted in the "dark" observing area between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Please - use the porta-potties!
- It is always a good idea to bring some First Aid supplies.
- Bringing a dog? Keep in mind that barking dogs are annoying. If you do bring a dog, park rules require a maximum 7 foot leash at all times.
- Music? Not during observing hours. Remember that everyone's taste is different. Headphones if you want tunes.