Palomar

Palomar is a place-name used for several locations and institutions, chiefly in California. The most prominent references are Palomar Mountain in northern San Diego County, the Palomar Observatory on its summit, and Palomar College in San Marcos. The name derives from the Spanish palomar, meaning dovecote.

Palomar Mountain is a notable feature in the northeast part of San Diego County, situated within the Cleveland National Forest. The summit rises to about 6,100 feet (roughly 1,860 meters) and hosts Palomar Mountain State Park. The area is a popular recreational region with forests, trails, and scenic views, and it provides the site for the Palomar Observatory.

Palomar Observatory is a major astronomical facility operated by the California Institute of Technology and located on Palomar Mountain. Its principal instrument is the 200-inch Hale telescope, completed in the 1940s and first used for scientific observations in 1948. The site also houses the 48-inch Samuel Oschin telescope, used for wide-field imaging and surveys such as the Palomar Sky Survey. The observatory has contributed to discoveries across planetary science, stellar evolution, and extragalactic astronomy.

Palomar College is a public community college located in San Marcos, California, serving the northern San Diego County region. It offers associate degree programs, transfer preparation, and vocational certificates, along with continuing education and workforce development opportunities.