Palomar Mountain

The Spaniards named this mountain "Palomar" meaning "dovecote" or "pigeon roost," for the band-tailed pigeon that makes its home here year-round. It is best known for Palomar Observatory, which sits grandly in a clearing near the top of the mountain. The observatory is operated by the California Institute of Technology. The mountain is also host to Palomar Mountain State Park and to various residences. The population of the area is 225, according to the 2000 census figures for the Palomar Mountain ZIP code, 92060.