[1] Built in 1986, it is located in Fremont Peak State Park, near San Juan Bautista, California.

With donated time, labor and equipment formed the Fremont Peak Observatory Association which became a 510(c)(3) non-profit.

[5][6] In 2003 the State Park Department made "significant improvements" to the observatory grounds which included the removal of four large trees which had been obscuring the southern sky in the observing area.

New roads, observing pads with power outlets, walkways and "low-intensity safety lighting" were added.

This is a 30-inch diameter primary mirror, "one of the largest telescopes available for public use"[10] on an "English cross-axis equatorial mount" with a f/4.8 Newtonian lens.

[15][14] The FPOA held an "impact party" October 2009 which over fifty people attended to view the 4:30am event.

While disappointed, Fremont Peak party attendees "were good sports" according to vice-president of FPOA Dave Samuels, "they all learned something".

The astronomical program dates operate April through October on non-full Moon Saturday nights.