We are running out of time to witness what is considered by many to be the best show in the night sky - the Perseid meteor shower.  

Even though SoCal has a lot of bright city lights, there are places to go to enjoy the cosmic light show. 

If you're able to take a road trip in the next week, drive away from the city lights to some of SoCal's darkest spots to view an amazing meteor shower.  

Here are a few popular spots to choose from, and the general forecast you can expect over the next several nights.  The best viewing time is between midnight and 6 a.m., but you can see some showers even before midnight.  

If you want to enjoy the show in a T-shirt and shorts with a cold glass of your favorite drink, check out any spot in the deserts, especially Joshua Tree National Park. 

Death Valley National Park is also a great spot for viewing with warm overnight temperatures.  

As dark as it is out there, there have been complaints over the years about a few spots tainted by lights coming from nearby small towns, campsites, and Las Vegas. The park has made improvements in recent years. 

Much of the park boasts some of the best viewing spots for all things celestial which has been key to its certification as the third International Dark Sky Park in the U.S. National Park System.

Head to the mountains if you prefer to enjoy the Perseids with a cup of hot cocoa in hand and cuddled up with blankets.  

One thing in our favor for the upcoming week - we don't have a full moon to brighten up the sky.

But, monsoonal storms will return over the mountains and deserts.  The best chance for storms will be in the afternoon, but we can't rule out nocturnal storms which could block our view.  

It's still worth a drive if you get a chance.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the show.

And, be patient when you first get out there. Give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness and take it in for at least an hour or longer.