The first group to use the peak as an observatory was the San Mateo Astronomical Society in the late 1960s. The location, which allowed amateur astronomers to see above the fog line and block out much of the lights from Monterey County infrastructure made the area popular for groups from the North Bay Area. Volunteers raised $25,000 from equipment donated by Celestron. With donated time, labor and equipment formed the Fremont Peak Observatory Association which is now a 510(c)(3) non-profit. The observatory opened in 1986.