The night sky is a glittering dome peppered with stars, planets, and passing meteors—but most people no longer get to see it. In urban and suburban settings, artificial lighting and atmospheric pollutants wash out the light of the stars. This is a serious loss. For millennia, our ancestors experienced a dark night sky. Cultures around the world told stories about the constellations and used the stars as a calendar. Only for the past few generations have humans been denied the chance to stand in awe of the heavens. Boasting some of the darkest nights in Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park, an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), offers many visitors the chance to admire the Milky Way for the first time in their lives.
Urban Touch Painting
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Average customer rating:
10 10 (23 reviews)
Most recent Most relevant Reviews by Star Reviewers Reviews with photos Highest to lowest Lowest to highest
Al in Oakville 2 reviews Oakville, ON Joined 2018/10/09
10/10
Garage Doors & Hardware review in Oakville
09/28/2023
Chris and Stephan did an excellent job. Very precise and detailed in their work. Both the garage door and frame look new again. I would highly recommend Chris and his team for any painting project.
Thanks again for a job well done.
Job Price
Approximate cost of services: $700.00
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Company Response Dear Al, Thank you for your glowing review! We’re delighted to hear that you’re pleased with the results of your garage door and frame painting project. We take great pride in our work, and your feedback about their precision and attention to detail is much appreciated.
Your recommendation means the world to us, and we’re here whenever you need our services in the future. Thanks for choosing us for your project! Best regards,
Chris
Urban Touch Painting
MichelleO 1 review Oakville, ON Joined 2023/09/22
10/10
Paint & Wallpaper Contractors review in Oakville
09/22/2023
Impeccable and professional painting service completed in 1 day. We decided to put our house up for sale and needed fresh painting done in bedrooms, bathrooms, guest ensuite and hallway. Being pressed for time, we were lucky enough to find Chris and he made the time to accommodate us.
Thanks again to Chris and Stefan!
Job Price
Approximate cost of services: $1,300.00
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Company Response We are glad you are satisfied with our painting service and thank you for choosing Urban Touch Painting to refresh your home. If you ever need our services again, please do not hesitate to contact us. Good luck selling your house!
Ram in Port Hope 0 reviews Oakville, ON Joined 2023/09/19
10/10
Paint & Wallpaper Contractors review in Oakville
09/19/2023
Chris did a really great job painting our house. He did it in a timely manner, no delays, was reasonably priced and he kept me updated through the process. I would highly recommend his services
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to view the gallery.
Job Price
Approximate cost of services: $3,300.00
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Company Response Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to leave such a positive review! It was a pleasure working on your house painting project, and I’m thrilled to hear that you are satisfied with the results. We, at Urban Touch Painting always strive to deliver high-quality work while ensuring that the project stays on schedule and within budget. Communication is a key part of our process, and I’m glad to hear that you felt well-informed throughout the entire project. If you ever need painting services in the future or have any recommendations, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to assist you with any of your painting needs. Thanks again for your trust in my services, and I look forward to serving you again in the future!
Private User Private User reviews Burlington, ON Joined 2023/07/11
10/10
Burlington
07/11/2023
We recently had Chris and his team paint our home, and are absolutely thrilled with the results. From start to finish, they were extremely professional, courteous, paid great attention to detail, checked in with us throughout the process to make sure we were happy with the work being done, and always left our home in a clean and tidy manner at the end of each day. Chris is clearly focused on delivering a great customer experience. We would highly recommend Urban Touch Painting, and will definitely be using them again.
Job Price
Approximate cost of services: $7,500.00
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Company Response Thank you for the great review! We are glad to hear that you had a wonderful experience with Urban Touch Painting. From the beginning of the project to the end, our priority is professional and detailed service with your complete satisfaction. We really appreciate you as a great customer and appreciate your kind recommendation. We look forward to serving you again in the future. Best regards, Urban Touch Painting team
Tips for Stargazing
Use Red Lights Only
Do not use bright white flashlights, headlamps, or cell phones. It takes 20-30 minutes for the human eye to fully adjust to very low light conditions. Bright lights delay this process. You can turn a regular flashlight into a red light by covering it with red cellophane, tape, fabric, paper, or similar materials.
Bring Food and Water
Plan ahead. There is no running water in most areas of the park.
Layer Up
Temperatures drop quickly in the evening. Bring extra layers of warm clothing.
Bring a Chair
You may be on your feet and looking up for long periods of time. A lightweight folding chair will help keep each person in your group comfortable and reduce strain. Do no trample vegetation and be aware of cacti in your area.
Watch Your Step
Cacti, nocturnal animals, and uneven surfaces may be difficult to see at night. Use a red light to check your viewing are for hazards.
Avoid the Moon
Bright moonlight reduces the number of stars you’ll see. Check the moon’s phase and rise and set times to find the best time to stargaze.
Where to View the Stars and Milky Way
On a clear night and moonless, you should have no problem viewing the stars from anywhere in the park. However, light pollution from surrounding communities does impact Joshua Tree’s night skies, so some areas of the park are darker than others.
Campgrounds
Pitch a tent, roast some marshmallows, and spend the night under the stars in one of Joshua Tree’s nine campgrounds (additional camping fees apply). Cottonwood Campground has the darkest skies.
While Wilderness Backpacking
Get away from roads, cars, and people, and camp out under the stars in Joshua Tree’s vast wilderness. Backpacking should only be done by those with the skills and knowledge for an overnight backcountry trip. For more information, check out our backpacking webpage.
Roadside Pullouts
Park at any of the roadside pullouts and set up chairs to watch the stars overhead. Stay awake and alert within 20 feet (6 meters) of your vehicle. The Pinto Basin Road between Cholla Cactus Garden and Cottonwood has the least traffic and darkest skies.
Things to Remember
- Overnight camping is not allowed along roadsides or in parking lots.
- Day Use Only areas are closed from dusk to dawn in order to protect wildlife.
- Pets must be leashed at all times and are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry.
- Watch your step in the darkness (use a red light flashlight or headlamp; wear closed-toed shoes).
Joshua Tree National Park never closes. If entrance fee stations are closed when you arrive, proceed and enjoy your visit. You can pay upon exiting if the fee stations are open.
Photography Tips
There are many different ways to photograph the stars and Milky Way. These are just a few tips for beginners that will help you get started.
Use a Tripod
- A sturdy tripod will help you create sharp photos with no vibration or shaking.
Use Manual Settings
- Aperture (or f-stop) – use the largest aperture your lens is capable of (f/2.8 is ideal).
- ISO – use the highest setting you can without the image becoming too grainy (ISO 1600 or higher; results will vary by camera model).
- Shutter Speed – adjust your shutter speed as needed (try starting at 25 seconds.
Experiment to Find the Best Results
- Be creative and try different settings. Change only one setting (f-stop, ISO, or shutter speed) at a time to achieve different effects.
Paint with Light
- While shooting long exposures, use a small flashlight or headlamp to draw letters and shapes. Illuminate objects in the foreground to create more interesting compositions. Be courteous to those around you. Spotlighting wildlife and illuminating large areas with constant light is prohibited.
