Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles CA

Interesting and unique spot to visit in LA.
Admission is free (unless you want to go to the planetarium) but parking is not. It is $10/hour. We got there right when it was opening and had to walk 15 minutes to get to the actual observatory.
The views are amazing and you get an added bonus of seeing the Hollywood sign in the hills behind you.

It’s a must-see in Los Angeles.
Be careful, many people go to this place at nightfall to see the sunset falling over the city. The ideal would be to go there on foot. It will give you a great walk.
The view the view is superb, you can see the Hollywood sign as well as the city
The museum is free, but car parking costs $10 per hour

It can get very over crowded, to the point that it is not worth getting stuck looking for parking or trying to reverse your way out of there. Even inside the observatory there was no moving space.

Went Sept 2022.11-hour flight to the US from the UK. No masks are required. To get into the observatory, I needed to provide covid pass and wear a mask ffs. Lovely views. Parking a nightmare. But still glad I went. Lost 2 stars for the mask and covid pass request

Notice: the roof telescope closes at 21: 30 but there is an hour waiting line to get to it, so you’ll need to be at the start of the line no later than 20: 30. Also the parking lot was full so not recommended to get by car but rather by Uber/Lyft, which also get secluded access right to the entrance of the observatory building

A restaurant with a night view and sunset!
One thing to note is that the internet didn't work well so it was difficult to contact a taxi.
Korean taxi recommendation!
It's very dark at sunset so be careful

If you visit California this is a place to go, and if you already live here it is a good place to bring your children to learn about space and life, etc. It's free and you only pay for parking $10.00 per hour and $10 per show there are 3 types.

This beautiful landmark boasts one of the best views of LA’s city and mountain ranges. The building itself is artistic. There are several exhibits inside, including real meteorites which can be touched, a clever periodic table with the actual elements encased within, telescopes, displays of each planet in our solar system (Pluto included- nerd lol) with videos and scales so that you can check your weight on each planet, and so much more. There is also a restaurant with a spectacular view. Plenty of clean bathrooms and parking. You can pay for parking in the Observatory’s outside lot or you can park at the meters on the roads leading and leaving the location. If you’re out for an adventure, you can park down the hill and hike your way up through a few cool trails.

Free entry! Go by an Uber as you would avoid the parking hastle. There is a free bus from there to downtown on your way back! Beautiful views. Good photo opportunities with Hollywood sign.

We were there twice. Once in the evening for the view and once during the day. Went by car in the evening: $10 an hour, lots of cars. During the day we took the bus there, very pleasant and recommended for everyone, wouldn't go by car

I visited Griffith Observatory during the mid-Autumn festival, hoping to catch a glimpse of the moon. Unfortunately, the evening was cloudy, and the moon remained elusive. However, my disappointment quickly turned into delight as I explored the fascinating world of nighttime science at the observatory.

The Griffith Observatory, perched atop the hills of Los Angeles, offers an exceptional experience for both astronomy enthusiasts and casual visitors. Despite missing out on lunar views, there was so much to see and learn inside. The planetarium shows were captivating, shedding light on the mysteries of our universe, and the interactive exhibits provided hands-on learning experiences that were both entertaining and educational.

The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the telescopes on the observatory's terrace. Even though the moon was hidden from view, the knowledgeable staff was more than willing to guide visitors through the night sky, showcasing stars, planets, and other celestial wonders. It was a unique opportunity to connect with the cosmos and appreciate the beauty of the universe.

The observatory's location is also a treat in itself. The panoramic views of Los Angeles from the terrace are breathtaking, especially at night when the city lights twinkle below. It's a serene escape from the bustling urban life of LA.

While I couldn't fulfill my moon-gazing dreams that night, my visit to Griffith Observatory was a memorable and enriching experience. It's a place that not only ignites curiosity about the universe but also offers a serene retreat to contemplate the mysteries of the cosmos while enjoying the captivating science of the night.

If you go to Los Angeles, you can't miss this place! Outside the place is popular in many movies, and inside I didn't know it, there is a huge and interesting planetarium and the history of our history.

The shows are amazing. The live narrator was one of the best I have ever heard. She's an incredible story teller.

Parking to get here is terrible. We had to walk a mile up hill from the park parking on a dirt trail. Parking lot was full. I would research and take the bus unless you want to walk. No bathrooms were available until we got to the building.

Nice experience and one can spend easily an hour inside plus if you get time there was some trails for hime too, please don’t go on mid day afternoon it was so heavy crowd and parking lot was very hard to find a place. If you get chance try to use transit which has frequent services to uphill and easy to access.

A must see in L. A. Although we went at a time when it was closed, the grounds are open for all to visit. The views around the Griffith Observatory is breathtaking. Hike, bus, or drive, these are the options I know of. Parking there is expensive so what I did was park at the bottom where the Greek Theatre was and took the free local transit bus there and back.