The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most impressive meteor shower shows of the year, peaks this week. To get the best view, you may need to drive a bit out of the city in search of darker skies. Experts generally advise that you avoid the beach; though sometimes lower on light pollution, the coast tends to be hazy. Here are some of the best places to spread out your blanket and enjoy the show. Wherever you go, be sure to be mindful of keeping your distance from others–if a spot is already crowded when you arrive, keep moving along–and, if you’re going far, consider buying gas and supplies before leaving your local community.

La Crescenta-Montrose and Altadena

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Nestled up against the foothills, the La Crescenta-Montrose and Altadena areas offer minimal suburban light and decent views. If you only have half an hour to search for your spot, you’ll do fine here, but for darker skies and clearer air, push a little further up Angeles Crest Highway.

Mount Wilson

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If you follow Angeles Crest Highway deeper into the mountains, you’ll arrive at Mount Wilson. The Observatory will be closed to the public, but the parking lot near the top and the turnouts along the highway provide ample spots to stop and watch.

Templin Highway

Templin Highway near Castaic is a popular area for stargazing. A little under a mile after you exit the 5 Freeway onto Templin, you’ll come to a shoulder where you can park and join your fellow amateur astronomers.

Malibu Creek State Park

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Another stargazing hotspot is Malibu Creek State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains, which offers places to park and overnight camping. Just remember that, if you’re not staying for a camp-out, this might not be the spot for you; they lock the gates at 10 p.m.

Mount Pinos

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Mount Pinos in Frazier Park offers spectacular night sky viewing. This site is rather popular with astrophotographers, so the unspoken etiquette is to approach the parking lot at the top of the mountain with your lights off so you don’t blow anyone’s shot.

Joshua Tree

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Indian Cove campground in Joshua Tree offers comfy camping (bathrooms! paved roads!) and beautiful views of the starscape over silhouetted rock formations.

Big Bear

Meteor-gazing is a good excuse to visit Big Bear when it’s not ski season. At the mountain’s elevation, atmospheric distortion is almost non-existent, so settle in and enjoy the sight of an estimated 120 meteors a minute.

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