[wskish]

To fully experience the night sky there is no substitute for getting up to altitude. Most of the atmosphere that really interferes with the view is way down low. Try a moonless night at 8000 to 11000 feet elevation in the eastern Sierra or Yosemite high country to really blow your mind. Boss level is a summit bivy during a new moon meteor shower with a close friend or lover.

[davidw]

See my post elsewhere here about Pine Mountain Observatory. It's not quite that high, but they have telescopes and knowledgeable staff to explain what you're looking at.

[oregoncurtis]

Steens Mountain summit is at 9,738′ and is pretty much smack dab in the middle of the darkest region. It's pretty awesome up there.