The Griffith Observatory, the symbol of one of the largest urban parks in North America (Griffith Park), overlooks the city of Los Angeles and offers its visitors beautiful views of the city and of the Hollywood Sign. But it would be reductive to speak only of the view from this place and not mention what is inside the observatory.
When you enter the Griffith Observatory, you will embark on a journey to discover space and experience the history of the innovations created by mankind to discover the unknown. If you are not experts on the subject, however, don’t worry, because I am sure that even those who are not “insiders” will find something that will amaze them.
Contents
How to get to Griffith Observatory?
The address of the Griffith Observatory is 2800 East Observatory Road. You will have basically two options to get there. You can either drive your car (or a rental one) or use public transportation. Otherwise, you can take an Uber or use similar services, which may be preferable to using a taxi.
Where to park at Griffith Observatory?
The observatory has a parking lot, but unfortunately, it is quite small, and therefore it tends to fill up very quickly, not to mention that it costs $4 per hour, which is not cheap. In addition, getting to the observatory by car during the high season can be quite complicated, not only because of the scarcity of parking spaces but also because of the heavy traffic.
I experienced this firsthand and I only found a place along N Vermont Canyon Rd (which can be a good alternative to the official parking lot, but only if you feel like walking uphill for a while) just in time. In fact, I was about to give up and return to the hotel.
If you want to park on this street, please know that parking is free unless there are events at the Greek Theater (you can check on the official website to see the schedule of events).
The other two streets where you can park are West Observatory Road and Western Canyon Road, but in both cases, the parking fee is $4 per hour. If you want to use the paid parking, please note that credit cards are accepted at all times, but cash is not.
Public Transportation Options
To avoid the hassle of finding a parking space, an alternative could be to use public transportation. More specifically, we recommend the DASH shuttle of the Metro Red Line that arrives at the observatory starting from the Vermont / Sunset Station.
The shuttle passes every 20-25 minutes and one of the stops is near the Greek Theater, which can be useful if you have parked your car there and do not feel like walking up to the observatory.
The fare is $0.50 per ticket.
Hours and Prices
Admission to the Griffith Observatory is free. The only day of the week that the observatory is closed is Monday. The hours of operation during the rest of the week are as follows:
- Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
The observatory is closed on most holidays, but if you want to know which holidays, you can check on the official website.
Admission to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium
During the course of the week, there are many science-themed shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, which I talked about in detail later on. Tickets cost $7 for adults and $3 for children 12 years old and younger. You can only purchase your ticket at the observatory on the day of the event up to 10 minutes before the beginning of the event.
What to see in Griffith Observatory
Samuel Oschin Planetarium
Considered to be the crown jewel of the Griffith Observatory, the Samuel Oschin Planetarium is one of the most technologically advanced star projectors in the world. It offers visitors three different shows that are featured on an alternate schedule.
- Centered in the Universe: Who are we, where do we come from, and where are we going? These are the “simple” questions we try to answer in this show in which we retrace the most important stages of scientific discoveries related to space.
- Water Is Life: Going to space in search of water. This is one of the main goals of the missions in space, so that we can find a place that can be suitable for the development of life.
- Light of the Valkyrie: A show totally focused on the phenomenon of the Northern lights. Its causes, the most beautiful images of the lights, and Wagner’s music will accompany you throughout this show.
The schedule of the shows is found on the official website.
Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater
This theatre, dedicated to the late actor who played Spock in the well-known Star Trek series, is mainly used to host meetings, conferences, and shows about space and scientific discoveries (how could it be otherwise?). You can find the calendar of public events on the official website. Maybe you’ll find something that interests you. Generally access is regulated according to a first-come-first-served basis. You can enter the theater 10-15 minutes before a given event.
From personal experience, I can tell you that, if you have time, it is worth going to see a lecture/demonstration, because they are engaging and interesting even for those who do not study science (like me).
Permanent Exhibitions
As we have already started to see, the Griffith Observatory is full of events and exhibitions dedicated to science and space. So let me show you what awaits you once you enter this fascinating building.
Ground Floor
- W.M. Keck Foundation Central Rotunda: Once you enter the Griffith Observatory, you will be welcomed by this beautiful rotunda and the huge Foucault pendulum at its center (one of the largest in the world), which demonstrates the process of rotation of the earth. The ceiling and tops of the walls are decorated with works of art by artist Hugo Ballin that celebrate the progress of science from antiquity to the present day. In one corner you will find the scene depicting Griffith J. Griffith donating his land (today’s Griffith Park) to the city of Los Angeles.
- Wilder Hall of the Eye: This part of the observatory is dedicated to the evolution of methods of sky observation (such as the telescope) and the impact these discoveries have had on the society of the time. One of the main attractions is a large Tesla coil displayed behind a grate.
- Ahmanson Hall of the Sky: In this wing, the protagonist is the Sun and its interaction with planet Earth. You can observe in real-time the image and movements of the most important star for our planet.
- South Gallery: This room, which connects the Samuel Oschin Planetarium to the lower levels, displays on its walls ten iconic images related to astronomy.
Lower Levels
- Cosmic Connection: Along this connecting corridor, there is an exhibition dedicated to the evolution of the universe from the Big Bang to the present day.
- Edge of Space Exhibits: The most interesting parts of this section, in my opinion, are the Pieces of the Sky, which, as you can probably guess from the name, consist of a series of meteorite fragments accompanied by explanatory panels, and secondly, the area dedicated to the Moon where you can admire a piece of moon rock recovered during the Apollo missions.
- Gunther Depths of Space Exhibits: You will find yourself in the largest exhibition space of the entire observatory where you can admire a representation of the Earth and our Solar System and learn about how it works. You will also find a life-size bronze statue of Albert Einstein.
Public Telescopes and Star Parties
When the sky is not cloudy at night, you can observe the sky both through the two famous public telescopes of the observatory and at some laptops on the front lawn of the main entrance. In fact, Griffith J. Griffith’s wish for the construction of the observatory, that as many people as possible should be able to observe the wonders of the sky directly.
Once a month on Saturday, the Griffith Observatory hosts a Star Party. From 2:00 pm until 9:45 pm, there are demonstrations and lectures on the use of telescopes and space observation given by volunteers from the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and The Planetary Society.
To see the updated calendar of these events you can consult the appropriate section on the official website.
View from the Griffith Observatory
More than any of the features that we have described so far, the Griffith Observatory is best known among tourists for the beautiful views of the entire city of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.
The best views of the city can be seen from the East and the West Observation Terraces, while the Hollywood Sign can be seen on the terraces to the west of the structure (to your right looking at the observatory). The Mt. Hollywood Hiking Trail begins from the Griffith Observatory’s parking lot and it will take you to some beautiful scenic viewpoints overlooking the area.
You can find a more detailed description in our article about the best places to photograph the Hollywood Sign.
Griffith Observatory in Hollywood Movies and Pop Culture
L.A.’s observatory has also served as the backdrop for numerous successful Hollywood films. The most famous scene of all is surely the one from Rebel Without a Cause in 1955 starring a young James Dean. As a reminder of this, there is a bust of the famous actor outside the Griffith Observatory.
But other things besides movies have been set in this place. Some popular video games have used the Griffith Observatory as the background, for example, Mafia 2, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, and Grand Theft Auto V.
Where to Eat
The location of the Griffith Observatory is certainly exceptional in terms of nature and the views it offers, but it is a little disadvantaged in terms of attractions and services available to visitors. If you want to eat out, you will have no choice but to reach the “end of the world”. Stopping at the Café at the End of the Universe, in addition to allowing you to enjoy a meal on its panoramic terrace, is a good opportunity to rest for a while along your route.
Other Useful Resources
Here are some resources to help you plan your visit to the City of Angels.
- Our list of attractions in Los Angeles.
- Our recommendations for accommodations in Los Angeles and its surroundings.
- If you have rented a car, read our guide on where to park in Los Angeles.
- If you prefer to use public transportation, you can have a look at our tips on how to get around Los Angeles.
