2018 Map of Lick Observatory

About this map

The Lick Observatory stands as the central landmark of this landscape, perched atop Mt Hamilton in the Diablo Range. The 2018 survey reveals a sharp contrast between the dense residential expansion of San Jose along the western edge—marked by neighborhoods like The Villages Pkwy and Silver Creek Rd—and the undeveloped, mountainous terrain to the east. Higher elevations are characterized by peaks such as Copernicus Peak and Mt Misery, separated by the internal drainage of Halls Valley and its Halls Valley Lake. The map details the complex winding route of Mt Hamilton Rd as it navigates the steep ascent toward the summit, passing through high-altitude features like Mount Hamilton Springs and overlooking the rural reaches of San Felipe Valley.