Much like other Southern Californians, I spend more time talking about the stars being aligned than actually witnessing the glory of what’s happening in the sky. This is precisely why getting outta town (the SoCal city life that is), is so important for actually taking advantage of noteworthy celestial events. 

This month’s planetary alignment 

Astronomy app Star Walk has announced that on Tuesday, March 28, five planets in the sky within our solar system will be visible all at once. The phenomenon will be visible for several days prior to and following that date as well. The intriguing alignment will form an arc in the night sky, allowing stargazers to marvel at Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus. 

Where to go to spot the planets 

West Hollywood is your ideal location for spotting the planets. Kidding, kidding! As one might infer, the best areas are dark sites and low-light pollution locations. 

If you’re star-deprived in SoCal like me, head to Joshua Tree—a designated International Dark Sky Park. Stay at AutoCamp Joshua Tree, for glamping airstream style. 

Despite Big Bend National Park in Texas being one of the least-visited national parks in the country, it’s known for its dark skies and clear views of the stars. Stay at Basecamp Terlingua, which offers a variety of unique accommodations, including teepees, yurts, and vintage trailers. 

If you’re near Blue Ridge Observatory and Star Park, stay at Primland Resort. This luxury resort sits on 12,000 acres of beautiful forested land and has its own observatory, which features a state-of-the-art telescope and offers guided stargazing tours led by experienced astronomers.