Secrets for Visiting the Beautiful Los Angeles Griffith Observatory

The Rich History

Although not open until 1935, the idea for Griffith Observatory was born in 1904. Future benefactor, Griffith J. Griffith, just looked through the Mount Wilson Observatory’s Hooker Telescope – the largest in the world at the time. Inspired and believing that science should be accessible to the general public, he left the city of Los Angeles with $100,000 to construct an observatory with free astronomical telescope viewings, a Hall of Science and a motion picture theater.

And for next 30 years, the Observatory began to take shape, employing the top scientists, architects and technology of its time. In fact, during this time Griffith’s original idea for a motion picture theater evolved into a Planetarium, a new 1920s invention.

The Movie Appearances

The Observatory has played a major role in Hollywood history over the years too, with appearances in films including:

• Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
• The Terminator (1984)
• The Rocketeer (1991)
• Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
• Transformers (2007)
• Yes Man (2008)
• Gangster Squad (2013)
• La La Land (2016)

Additionally, the Tunnel leading up to the Observatory was also featured in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and Back to the Future Part II (1989).

Opening Hours

Depending on the day you’re visiting, you may be surprised by Griffith Park’s opening hours. Review them before planning your visit:

Weekday (Tuesday – Friday) Hours
Open 12PM – 10:00 PM

Weekend (Saturday – Sunday) Hours
Open 10AM – 10PM

Closed Mondays

Arriving By Car

The best way to get to Griffith Observatory is by Car, with multiple parking options at or near the Observatory. When driving up West Observatory Road, use the:

• LEFT LANE for Main parking lot access (NO access to lot from right lane)
• RIGHT LANE for Parallel parking on road; buses, shared ride, taxis, through traffic

Griffith Observatory Parking Lot

The main lot offers paid parking* in front of the Observatory at the address listed below. This lot is also the only one that doesn’t require a walk uphill so be prepared as it can get crowded!

2800 East Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Secret Tips:

• When driving up West Observatory Road, stay in the Left Lane to access the main lot.
• Pay Stations only accept credit card

*At time of writing, parking in the main lot is free when the Observatory is closed. If you arrive to the Observatory just before it opens, however, you will definitely want to pay for parking at one of the pay stations before heading inside.

Griffith Observatory Park And Walk Options

If you’re on a budget and can walk as far as a mile uphill, there is free parking on the road and in the lot around the Greek Theatre (see map).

NOTE: Parking in this area is NOT available after 1:00 p.m. on concert evenings. Double check the Greek Theatre concert schedule before visiting.

Secret Tip: Griffith Park, where the Observatory is located, is HUGE. In fact, it’s a grand total of 6.5 square miles with lots of roads, paths and entrances! To minimize your chances of getting lost, navigate to the exact address listed in the main lot section before searching for parking.

Arriving By Taxi and Ride Share

If you don’t have access to a car, I recommend Uber or Lyft. Both ride share companies can drop you just past the Observatory’s horseshoe driveway on East Observatory Road in front of the main lawn.

For these services, you should be able to use the address below, just make sure that your driver uses the Right Lane while driving up West Observatory Road.

2800 East Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA 90027

NOTE: Griffith Park’s inbound gates close at 10:00 p.m. every night, so if you’re being picked up, make sure that your driver enters Griffith Park before 10:00 p.m.

7 Best Griffith Observatory Photo Spots

1. In front of the Eastern or Western Rotundas
2. Near the “View Telescope” Sign on the roof
3. Walking down one of the two Outdoor Ramps along the sides of the Observatory
4. Looking through a Tower Viewer
5. Looking out over LA from the Archway along the back of the Observatory
6. With the Hollywood Sign on the Western Side of the Observatory
7. In front of a Green Outdoor Art Deco Door along the back of the Observatory