Big Bear Solar Observatory

Operated by the New Jersey Institute of Technology, this high-altitude observation center built right onto Big Bear Lake has four specialized telescopes pointed at the sun. You can easily admire the exterior of the largest one from a boat ride on the lake, but you’ll need to book a tour to step inside. Small-group tours are offered every other Thursday at 2pm from June to September, so you’ll need to nab a reservation. If you are able to secure one, just note you’ll need to be able to walk down and back a roughly 1,000-foot-long gravel road, as well as up and down three flights of stairs.