The UCI Observatory is located in a relatively dark site in the fields surrounding the UCI campus (between University Hills and the Palo Verde grad student housing). To get to the telescope from East Peltason Drive turn south onto Gabrielino Dr. at the "University Hills" sign. Follow Gabrielino all the way to the top of the hill, where Gabrielino Dr.meets California Ave., turn left onto a gravel road and continue on it until you reach the observatory dome. You may park along either side of the road. The observatory is only a few minutes walk down the gravel road.

For directions to the campus from local freeways and a larger scale map, see the campus map. Note that the observatory is not marked on the official campus map.