How to see the Perseid meteor shower in San Diego

Zoom in: San Diego County's certified International Dark Sky Places are the best spots to go star (or meteor) gazing, including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs and Julian.

• Astronomers say the best time to watch the Perseids is from midnight to sunrise, the Union-Tribune reported.
• The Julian Starfest returns to Menghini Winery this weekend if you're looking for a free, family-friendly event before the big show. You can camp there, and the event includes telescope vendors, astronomy games and food and drinks for purchase.

Of note: It should be pretty dark during the peak, thanks to the moon being near its new phase.

• "Well away from city lights, where you can see the Milky Way and a bunch of stars, you'll probably see somewhere between 40 and 50 Perseids per hour at the peak," NASA's Bill Cooke told Axios' Miriam Kramer.

The intrigue: Many of those meteors should be pretty bright as well, according to Cooke.

• The Perseids are known for creating the most fireballs — exceptionally bright meteors — of any annual meteor shower.