Griffith Observatory is the one stop most visitors to Los Angeles share. The building is free, the views take in the Hollywood Sign and the whole basin, and the exhibits are better than you might expect from a place known for its lawn. The hard part is getting up the hill on a busy evening. This guide covers hours, parking, the bus, the planetarium and when to go, using the observatory’s own visitor information.
In this guide
It is part of our Los Angeles attractions guide. If you are also hiking, see our Griffith Park guide and our Hollywood Sign guide.
Griffith Observatory at a glance
- Address 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles
- Admission Free for the building, exhibits and public telescopes
- Building hours Tuesday to Friday noon to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 10pm
- Closed Mondays
- Grounds Open daily from 5am to 10:30pm
- Parking Paid by credit card near the building; free spaces farther down the hill
- Bus DASH Observatory/Los Feliz from the Vermont/Sunset B Line station
A short history
Griffith Observatory opened on May 14, 1935, on land given to the city by Griffith J. Griffith. It closed for a long renovation and expansion and reopened on November 3, 2006. The Art Deco building, the copper domes and the lawn with its monument to astronomers have been in plenty of films, so many visitors recognize the place before they arrive.
Hours and closures
The building is open Tuesday to Friday from noon to 10pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 10pm. It is closed on Mondays. The grounds and the surrounding park are open every day from 5am to 10:30pm, so you can still walk the terraces and trails on a Monday.
The observatory is busiest on weekends, in summer, on holidays and around sunset. When the building reaches capacity, staff hold people at the door, and the observatory says waits are usually 5 to 15 minutes. Check the observatory’s website before you go, because special events and holiday schedules can change the hours.
What to see inside
Exhibits
The main floor and the lower level hold exhibits on the sky, the planets, the solar system and the history of astronomy. The Foucault pendulum and the Tesla coil in the central hall draw crowds. The lower level has a long timeline of the universe. Plan on at least an hour inside, more if you are seeing a show.
Samuel Oschin Planetarium
The planetarium seats 290 people under its dome. Shows run about 32 to 35 minutes. Tickets are sold separately from free entry and are bought at the observatory on the day. Only Griffith Observatory Foundation members can reserve shows in advance. Check prices and the day’s schedule at the ticket booth or on the observatory site.
Public telescopes
On clear evenings, the observatory sets up public telescopes, and the large Zeiss telescope in the dome on the roof is free to look through when it is open. Lines get long after dark on weekends.
Parking
Paid parking near the building
Parking near the observatory is paid. The lot at the top, the spaces along West Observatory Road and the Western Canyon area use pay-and-display machines that take credit cards. There is no time limit, and payments are not refunded. Restrooms are near the main lot. These spaces fill quickly on weekends, holidays and at sunset.
Free parking lower down
Free parking is available near the Greek Theatre, but expect to walk up to a mile uphill on a road or trail to reach the building. On nights when the Greek Theatre has a concert, that parking is not available after 1pm.
Parking tips
- Arrive before noon on weekends, or after the sunset crowd leaves.
- Have a credit card ready. The machines do not take cash.
- East Observatory Road is one-way downhill, so drivers and cyclists heading up use West Observatory Road.
- Rideshare drop-off is past the horseshoe driveway in front of the building.
Getting there without a car
The DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus runs from the Vermont/Sunset B Line station up to the observatory. It runs daily from 10am to 10pm, roughly every 20 to 25 minutes, and it also stops along the way near the Greek Theatre. This is the easiest way to avoid the parking fight. Check fares on the LADOT site before you ride. Our LA Metro guide covers the B Line and TAP.
If you would rather walk, trails from Fern Dell and the Greek Theatre area climb to the observatory. They are steep in places and exposed to the sun, so bring water.
The best views
The Hollywood Sign
The terraces on the east and west sides of the building give a clear view of the Hollywood Sign. Morning light is softer, and haze is often lighter early in the day. Some trails, including the path toward Mount Hollywood, give a closer view.
Downtown and the basin
The south terrace looks over the city to Downtown and, on clear days, to the ocean and Catalina. After rain or on windy days the air is clearest. Sunset is the most popular time, which is why it is also the most crowded.
Hiking from the observatory
The Charlie Turner Trail starts near the north end of the parking area and leads toward Mount Hollywood. Trails also run down to Fern Dell and the Greek Theatre side. See our best hikes in Los Angeles list for more routes.
Visiting with kids
Children tend to like the Tesla coil, the scales that show your weight on other planets and the telescopes after dark. The planetarium dome is dark and loud at times, which can be a lot for small children. The lawn outside is a good place for a break. For more ideas, see our list of things to do in Los Angeles with kids.
Rules and practical details
The observatory does not allow food inside the building. Drones, alcohol and smoking are not allowed. Cell signal on the hill is weak, so download tickets, maps and directions before you head up.
Before you go
- Check that it is not a Monday.
- Go on a weekday afternoon for the shortest waits.
- Buy planetarium tickets as soon as you arrive on busy days.
- Bring a layer. The hilltop is windy and cool at night.
- If you drive, decide in advance whether you will pay to park at the top or walk up.
Frequently asked questions
Is Griffith Observatory free?
Yes. The building, exhibits and public telescopes are free. Planetarium shows and parking near the building cost extra.
What days is Griffith Observatory closed?
It is closed on Mondays. The grounds and park around it stay open from 5am to 10:30pm every day.
Is there free parking at Griffith Observatory?
Parking near the building is paid. Free parking near the Greek Theatre means walking up to a mile uphill, and it is not available after 1pm on Greek concert nights.
How long should I spend at Griffith Observatory?
One to two hours covers the exhibits and the terraces. Add about 35 minutes for a planetarium show and more time if you hike.
Can you see the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory?
Yes. The terraces have one of the clearest views of the sign in the city.
What is the best time to visit Griffith Observatory?
A weekday afternoon is quietest. Sunset is the most popular time and the busiest for parking.
Official sources: Griffith Observatory; LADOT DASH; LA Metro; City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks.
Photo credits
Featured image: Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain