Griffith Park Observatory is one of L.A’s greatest cultural attractions and best of all it’s admission free!
Update: 12th April 2023
- added more 360 & standard images
I’ve been here twice now, although my second visit in 2022, we walked from the Bush Canyon Trail via the Hollywood Sign. When we finally got to the Observatory we were hoping for nice cold drink as the day started at a sweltering 32º at 10am. Frustratingly though when we did finally arrive it turned out the Observatory was closed including the café 🥵 Turns out the Observatory is closed on Mondays, but even though it was closed there were still a quite a few people milling around. All we could do was wander the gardens and around the building taking in the views before giving in to the thirst and calling an Uber to take us back down to Hollywood Boulevard to get that much needed drink.
This place gets real busy, fast, so get here as early as possible. Especially if you’re planning on driving and want to find a space. The first time I came in 2017 we drove and ended up parking on the roadside heading up to the Observatory and walked the rest of the way up the hill. As we had arrived later than 10am the traffic was already bumper to bumper, so if you do plan on coming try and get there early.
As you walk up toward the Observatory head over to the right hand side where you’ll see the James Dean bust and from here there’s a view of the Hollywood sign on the hill behind you.
Make sure you walk around the outside of the Observatory, especially go around the back. Here you’ll marvel at the some of the best views you can get of L.A. You can see for miles.
Inside you’ll find the Foucault Pendulum, this cool contraption demonstrates the Earth’s rotation and is one of the largest in the world. The bronze ball is suspended by a cable that swings in a constant direction while the Earth is turning beneath it. The pendulum is mounted to a bearing in the ceiling that doesn’t turn with the building as it rotates with the Earth. As the day goes on, the pendulum knocks over pegs that are set up in the pendulum pit showing the Earths rotation. Showing my geeky side, but I think that’s kinda cool.
I suggest getting yourself a ticket to see one of the shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, there are a few to choose from but each one has its own spectacular 3D show.
In the final room is the Depth of Space exhibit and the Big Picture explaining about the universe and beyond. You’ll also find a bronze statue of Albert Einstein, along with numerous other stuff on all the walls and the ceiling. You get to see in great detail each planet and even see how much you would weigh on every planet in the solar system and find an answer to that age old question, is Uranus big? Well you can find out here.
There is so much to see, do and of course learn. Timewise you can walk round in just a couple hours if your not all that interested, but if you are. Expect to spend hours if not the day going through it all. I’d be interested in seeing what the place looked like at night, especially the views of the city around the back. It’s well worth the visit and I definitely recommend checking it out.
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Griffith Observatory sits on the south facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park Los Angeles, California, USA. It has an amazing view of the Los Angeles Basin, including Downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest.
- The Foucault pendulum was designed to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth.
- Since the observatory’s opening in 1935, admission has been free, in accordance with the benefactor’s will, after whom the observatory is named – Griffith J. Griffith.
- Construction began on June 20, 1933.
- During World War II, the planetarium was used to train pilots in celestial navigation.
- The planetarium was again used for celestial navigation in the 1960s to train Apollo program astronauts for the first lunar missions.
Weekday (Tuesday – Friday) Hours
Open 12:00 noon – 10:00 p.m.
Weekend (Saturday – Sunday) Hours
Open 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Closed Monday
On December 16, 1896, 3,015 acres (12.20 km2) of land surrounding the observatory was donated to the City of Los Angeles by Griffith J. Griffith. In his will Griffith donated funds to build an observatory, exhibit hall, and planetarium on the donated land.
- Autry Museum
- Catch a show in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium theater, it’s known as the finest planetarium in the world and well worth the admission fee of $3-$7 depending on your age.
- Greek Theatre
- Hike the many trails around Griffith Park
- Hike to the summit of Mount Hollywood
- Hollywood Sign
- Los Angeles Zoo
- Merry Go Round
The Observatory is easy to get around and has disabled access. If you walk the trails they are dusty with a few loose stones around, but its easy going. The main thing to worry about will be the sun, the heat while walking the trail routes can really take it out of you, so make sure your well hydrated.
There are many ways of getting to Griffith Observatory! The easiest and fastest way would be to drive, but as of March 21 you will have to pay $4 an hour to park. I’d recommend to use the DASH Observatory Bus. You can also hike, bike, Uber, Lyft or park elsewhere in the park and take a walk from there. Be aware that roads leading up to the Observatory get very congested at busy times, so I would suggest leaving early if you do plan on driving and finding a space.
- There are designated disabled parking spaces in the south part of the Observatory parking lot.
- Uber Get it here.
- Closed Mondays.
- Get here early.
- There are designated disabled parking spaces in the south part of the Observatory parking lot.
- Sign in to the free on site Wi-Fi.
- Best view of the Hollywood sign is on the right next to James Dean’s bust.
- Marvel at the views at the back of the Observatory.
- Uber Get it here.
| Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed |
| +21° | +22° | +23° | +22° | +22° | +23° |
| +14° | +14° | +14° | +16° | +16° | +15° |
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Great site. Thanks for posting.