Mount Hamilton, near San Jose, California May 19, 2025

Mount Hamilton, near San Jose, California

Drive up Mount Hamilton just east of San Jose, California, and immerse yourself in stunning views and rich history. The 19-mile Mount Hamilton Road is loved by cyclists and motorcyclists for its long climbs and sparse traffic. Built in 1875-76, the road was designed to transport materials to the Lick Observatory, the world"s first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory. On a clear day, you can see as far as Yosemite National Park or the Sierra Nevada from the 4,265-foot summit.

© Jeffrey Lewis/TANDEM Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

May 19, 2018At ease, it’s Armed Forces Day
May 19, 2019High trekking season in Upper Mustang
May 19, 2020Loud waters
May 19, 2021A path lain with petals
May 19, 2022Glass footbridge in Zhangjiajie, China
May 19, 2023Endangered Species Day
May 19, 2024Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
May 19, 2026Formentor Lighthouse, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr 8, 2024Total solar eclipse
Oct 17, 2020Fog above the forest
Dec 4, 2022World Wildlife Conservation Day
May 27, 2025Mona Vale Rockpool, Sydney, Australia
Apr 1, 2026National Frog Month
May 10, 2026Happy Mothers Day!
Aug 23, 2018Riding the bore tide at Turnagain Arm, Cook Inlet, Alaska
Apr 20, 2025Happy Easter!
Jan 20, 2024Penguin Awareness Day
Jun 21, 2019Ode to the sun
Aug 11, 2023Edinburgh Art Festival
Aug 17, 2025International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend
Aug 6, 2018Jamaica celebrates its independence
Apr 16, 2020Bridges to the past
Sep 17, 2020Citizenship Day and Constitution Day
Aug 25, 2024National Park Service Founders Day
Dec 1, 2024Antarctica Day
May 9, 2020Here’s looking at you, teachers
Jan 26, 2019Visiting a Maratha fortress
Mar 4, 2025Happy Fat Tuesday!
Jan 28, 2024Channel Country, Australia
Mar 29, 2018It’s Opening Day for Major League Baseball
Nov 17, 2020Take a hike near Lovers Lane
Aug 2, 2019An uncommon look at an American icon
Feb 13, 2018Preservation Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana
May 22, 2019The artists come to Venice
Jun 6, 2026National Trails Day
Feb 19, 2021Colorful cows of the reef
Sep 21, 2020A gentle wind fills this sail
Mar 24, 2026Cherry blossoms at East Lake Cherry Blossom Park, Wuhan, China