The Cosmic Cafe at Mt. Wilson Observatory

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The Cosmic Cafe at Mt. Wilson Observatory The Cosmic Cafe sells sandwiches, coffee, snacks, souvenirs, tour tickets, Adventure passes & more. Located at the top of Mt. Wilson. Please visit mtwilson.edu
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For directions or more information please visit www.mtwilson.edu
The USFS requires that all parked vehicles display an Adventure Pass. The Cosmic Cafe sells the Adventure Pass during our operating hours. A day pass is $5.00 and an annual pass is $30.00
There is a guided walking tour every Saturday and Sunday (from April 1st - November 30th) at 1pm, tickets are sold at the Cosmic Cafe and are $15.00 for adults and $12.00 for kids and seniors.

**The Observatory is OPEN Saturday, October 17!**Due to a precautionary power shutoff by Southern California Edison in r...
10/16/2026

**The Observatory is OPEN Saturday, October 17!**

Due to a precautionary power shutoff by Southern California Edison in response to high winds, the Cosmic Cafe's kitchen will be closed Saturday.

But there's still plenty to enjoy on the mountain!

Gift Shop: Open, with parking passes available for purchase.

Docent Tours: 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM, as scheduled.

Talks & Telescopes: Our evening event will proceed as planned.

All other areas of the Observatory remain open to visitors. We hope to reopen the Cafe's kitchen on Sunday, October 18, weather and power conditions permitting.

Thank you for your understanding!

Spend your weekends in the mountains! The Cosmic Café at Mount Wilson Observatory is hiring café & event staff for Sept...
08/28/2026

Spend your weekends in the mountains! The Cosmic Café at Mount Wilson Observatory is hiring café & event staff for September, through December.

We’re looking for positive, reliable people who enjoy working with the public and would like to spend their weekends at one of Southern California’s most unique destinations. Weekend availability is important.

Interested? Send your resume and a brief cover email to [email protected].

Know someone who might be a great fit? Please share!

Heading to the mountain? Don't trust Google Maps! Google is currently lost in space and sending visitors the wrong way. ...
07/03/2026

Heading to the mountain? Don't trust Google Maps! Google is currently lost in space and sending visitors the wrong way. Please use the directions on our website instead: mtwilson.edu/directions (or refer to the graphic attached),

🇺🇸 We're Open on the Fourth of July! Looking for a unique way to spend Independence Day? Join us at Mount Wilson Observa...
07/03/2026

🇺🇸 We're Open on the Fourth of July! Looking for a unique way to spend Independence Day? Join us at Mount Wilson Observatory for a day of history, science, and spectacular views. Take one of our docent-led tours at 11:30 AM or 1:00 PM, then stop by the Cosmic Café for coffee, lunch, treats, or a cold drink. Before you head home, browse the Gift Shop for Observatory souvenirs. Please note that the Observatory grounds will close promptly at 5:00 PM, and no visitors will be permitted after that time.

The Cosmic Cafe is looking for seasonal staff to join the team! While the position is based at the cafe, team members al...
05/26/2026

The Cosmic Cafe is looking for seasonal staff to join the team! While the position is based at the cafe, team members also help support public programs and special events throughout the Observatory campus. It's a great weekend opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people and wants to spend their summer surrounded by nature, history, and science in one of Southern California's most unique settings. If you're friendly, dependable, and enjoy helping create memorable experiences for guests, we'd love to hear from you. Email a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

The Cosmic Café will be OPEN all Memorial Day weekend (May 23–25): Saturday, Sunday & Memorial Day Monday 10 AM–5 PM! En...
05/22/2026

The Cosmic Café will be OPEN all Memorial Day weekend (May 23–25): Saturday, Sunday & Memorial Day Monday 10 AM–5 PM! Enjoy sandwiches, snacks, drinks, and Observatory merchandise throughout the day.
Public tours of the Observatory will be available Saturday & Monday: 11:30 AM & 1 PM and Sunday: 11:30 AM only. A beautiful weekend to explore the mountain, enjoy the forest air, and experience one of Southern California’s great scientific landmarks.

Thank you to everyone who came up for our first weekend of the season - you really showed up, and we were so happy to se...
04/18/2026

Thank you to everyone who came up for our first weekend of the season - you really showed up, and we were so happy to see you! We’re back again this weekend with the Cosmic Cafe open Sat/Sun 10-5 and docent-led tours at 11:30 and 1:00 both days. Come spend some time on the mountain.

We’re in the news! Thanks for the shoutout, . The Cosmic Café is back for the season starting April 11 (weather permitti...
04/01/2026

We’re in the news! Thanks for the shoutout, . The Cosmic Café is back for the season starting April 11 (weather permitting)! Enjoy sandwiches, hot food, sweets, souvenirs, tours, and views above the clouds. Open weekends 10-5.
🔗 https://bit.ly/482rJsE

Fingers crossed and weather permitting, Saturday, April 11 is our target for the seasonal reopening of the Cosmic Cafe a...
03/20/2026

Fingers crossed and weather permitting, Saturday, April 11 is our target for the seasonal reopening of the Cosmic Cafe and docent-led tours at Mount Wilson Observatory! The Cafe will be open weekends 10AM–5PM, and tours will run Saturdays & Sundays at 11:30 AM and 1 PM. Tour tickets are available for purchase at the Cafe - while you’re there, grab a sandwich, coffee, or a sweet treat and enjoy a day on the mountain.

Work where the forest meets the stars! The Cosmic Café is hiring for the 2026 season. Spend spring, summer, and fall ser...
03/04/2026

Work where the forest meets the stars! The Cosmic Café is hiring for the 2026 season. Spend spring, summer, and fall serving coffee, food, and Observatory merch in a beautiful mountain setting at Mount Wilson Observatory. This is a part-time, seasonal position , with weekend availability required. Positive, reliable, and love working with people? Send your resume and cover email to: [email protected]

01/08/2026

What a season it was! Thank you to everyone who made the Cosmic Cafe such a special place in 2025. We’re closed for the winter now, but we’ll be back - look for reopening news in April 2026. In the meantime, enjoy this slideshow of memories from our staff and customers this season!

Address

Mt Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson, CA
91023

Opening Hours

Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

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