About
Chabot Space & Science Center Youth & Family Programs include activities such as Paint & Sip Waxing Crescent Moon, Family Nature Adventures Birds, and Hike & Sip Guided Stroll. The program also offers hands-on STEM activities, planetarium shows, and free telescope viewings, weather permitting.
• Schedule: Open to the public Wednesday–Sunday, 10AM–5PM, with field trips and group bookings by reservation only Wednesday–Friday, 9:30AM–1:45PM, and free telescope viewings on Friday and Saturday, 7:30–10:30PM, weather permitting.
Founded in 1883 as an astronomical observatory, Chabot Space & Science Center operates a research-level observatory complex with three large scale telescopes named Leah, Rachel, and Nellie. The 8-inch Leah (1883) and 20-inch Rachel (1916) refracting telescopes and the 36-inch Nellie (2003) reflecting telescope are part of what is described as the largest observatory complex free for public viewing in the Western United States. The 20-inch telescope was used to relay information to NASA during the Apollo 13 descent, and the 36-inch telescope is actively used for Near Earth Object research. The Center includes a 70-foot full-dome planetarium and is the home of the NASA Ames Visitor Center.
The mission of Chabot Space & Science Center is to inspire and educate learners of all ages about the Universe and Planet Earth. Chabot serves Oakland and the greater Bay Area as a place for STEM learning and engagement, with immersive exhibits, hands-on STEM activities, planetarium shows, education, and youth development programs. In 2021, Chabot opened the NASA Ames Visitor Center, which features hands-on activities and NASA Ames artifacts that highlight current Ames research and space missions as part of a broader partnership between the Center and NASA Ames.
Last updated June 19, 2026.
• Schedule: Open to the public Wednesday–Sunday, 10AM–5PM, with field trips and group bookings by reservation only Wednesday–Friday, 9:30AM–1:45PM, and free telescope viewings on Friday and Saturday, 7:30–10:30PM, weather permitting.
Founded in 1883 as an astronomical observatory, Chabot Space & Science Center operates a research-level observatory complex with three large scale telescopes named Leah, Rachel, and Nellie. The 8-inch Leah (1883) and 20-inch Rachel (1916) refracting telescopes and the 36-inch Nellie (2003) reflecting telescope are part of what is described as the largest observatory complex free for public viewing in the Western United States. The 20-inch telescope was used to relay information to NASA during the Apollo 13 descent, and the 36-inch telescope is actively used for Near Earth Object research. The Center includes a 70-foot full-dome planetarium and is the home of the NASA Ames Visitor Center.
The mission of Chabot Space & Science Center is to inspire and educate learners of all ages about the Universe and Planet Earth. Chabot serves Oakland and the greater Bay Area as a place for STEM learning and engagement, with immersive exhibits, hands-on STEM activities, planetarium shows, education, and youth development programs. In 2021, Chabot opened the NASA Ames Visitor Center, which features hands-on activities and NASA Ames artifacts that highlight current Ames research and space missions as part of a broader partnership between the Center and NASA Ames.
Last updated June 19, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.