Secrets for Visiting the Beautiful Los Angeles Griffith Observatory
Secrets for Visiting the Beautiful Los Angeles Griffith Observatory
Photography Shot In Collaboration With: Oliver aus der Mühlen
As a Los Angeles local, I’m all too familiar with our popular year-round tourist attraction, the Griffith Observatory. But what makes this place so attractive? Is it the rich history? The movie appearances? The epic views? Or the actual activities inside the Observatory? I’d argue all of the above.
In fact, I recently revisited this grand LA monument only to be reminded about all the amazing things I love and why it’s revered by so many others. Now I’m spilling all my knowledge – including the Reasons, How To’s and my best Secrets For Visiting the Beautiful Los Angeles Griffith Observatory:
Skip To:
- Reasons To Visit – Includes Observatory Activities
- Griffith Observatory Parking + Arrival Tips
- Griffith Observatory Photography Spots
- Griffith Observatory Itinerary: An Hour-By-Hour Guide
griffith observatory
Reasons To Visit
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 (Lack Of) Cost
Admission to the Observatory building, the grounds, and the public telescopes is always free. However, there are small costs for parking and the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.
The Epic Views
Not only is the Observatory one of the best spots in LA to see the world-famous Hollywood sign, but it also offers sweeping views over all of Los Angeles. It’s beautiful for a sunrise or sunset visit!
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).
The Activities
The Observatory offers 8 family-friendly activities to visitors:
- Observe The Foucault Pendulum
- Peer Into A Working Telescope*
- Hike Around The Observatory
- Look out over LA through a Tower Viewer
- Explore the Gunther Depths of Space Exhibit
- View A Planetarium Screening**
- Watch a Tesla Coil Demonstration
- Attend A Star Party***
*Only Available During Evening Opening Hours
**Additional Cost
***Star Parties are held monthly from 2PM-9:45PM Local Time
los angeles griffith observatory
Griffith Observatory Parking and Arrival Secrets
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.
los angeles griffith observatory
Photography Spots
7 Best Griffith Observatory Photo Spots
- In front of the Eastern or Western Rotundas
- Near the “View Telescope” Sign on the roof
- Walking down one of the two Outdoor Ramps along the sides of the Observatory
- Looking through a Tower Viewer
- Looking out over LA from the Archway along the back of the Observatory
- With the Hollywood Sign on the Western Side of the Observatory
- In front of a Green Outdoor Art Deco Door along the back of the Observatory
los angeles griffith observatory
A Perfect Day At Griffith: An Hour-By-Hour Itinerary
This itinerary is for a FULL weekend day, getting in as many Observatory activities as possible – and at the least crowded times. Feel free to mix and match these as you like – depending on your interests and schedule!
5-6:30AM PT – Arrive at the Griffith Observatory For Photos and Sunrise Views – This is the best time to enjoy the Observatory for a truly peaceful experience. Tower viewers are also available to look through during this time – bring coins if you’re interested in using them!
6:30AM-9:30AM PT – Hike to the Hollywood Sign – The Observatory doesn’t open until 10AM on weekends (12PM on weekdays!). Take advantage of the early morning and more mild temperatures with a hike to the famous Hollywood Sign.
10AM – 1PM PT – Explore the Inside of the Observatory – Enjoy other-worldly activities including a catching a show at the Planetarium, watching a Tesla Coil demonstration and observing The Foucault Pendulum.
1 – 7PM PT – Free Time in Los Feliz – Spend the afternoon exploring the neighborhood or freshening up after your hike! If exploring, I recommend checking out Los Feliz favorites like Mírate, Alcove Cafe, Figaro Bistrot, HomeState, Skylight Books and Otherwild.
6 – 8PM PT – Dinner in Los Feliz – Grab a bite to eat at popular spots like Little Dom’s, The Dresden or Kismet before heading back to the Observatory. Just don’t forget to make a reservation ahead of time.
8 – 9:30PM PT – Observatory Telescope Viewing – Look through one of Griffith’s 12-inch Zeiss Telescopes located on the Observatory rooftop. Alternatively, on any given night, Observatory staff may set up a free-standing telescope or two on the front sidewalk.
Griffith Observatory
Los Angeles, California, USA
Historic Building / Viewpoint
Price: $
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