- Cost: Admission to the Griffith Observatory is free, but you have to buy tickets to the planetarium show
- Location: Griffith Park (see below)
- How Long: Depends on your interest but at least a couple of hours
- Best Time to Visit: Griffith Observatory is closed Mondays, Thanksgiving and December 25
Visiting Griffith Observatory
Originally opened in 1935 and re-opened in 2005 after a four-year renovation, the Griffith Observatory features space-related exhibits, star shows in the planetarium and often hosts special events such as star parties.
If you'd like to get a better idea of what it's like, take a photo tour of the Griffith Observatory.
Tips for the Griffith Observatory
- Because of high demand after the renovation and limited parking, Griffith Observatory visitors had to reserve a space on a shuttle bus, that limitation is no longer in effect.
- The Griffith Observatory planetarium show is not suitable for small children, and those under 5 years old are admitted only to the first show of the day.
- The observatory is open late, and you can get great city views from outside.
Special Events at the Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory hosts special Star Parties and other events.
Griffith Park in the Movies
Griffith Observatory has appeared in many films, but perhaps its most memorable role was in the ending scenes of Rebel Without a Cause. Other Griffith Observatory film credits include Transformers, the 1984 Terminator film and Jurassic Park.Getting to Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory
2800 East Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA
213-473-0800
Griffith Observatory Website
The Griffith Observatory is in Griffith Park. You can approach it through the Vermont or Fern Dell entrances. Park in the Griffith Obesrvatory parking lot or on the nearby streets. Although the observatory is open late, the Fern Dell entrance closes at dark.
On weekends, you can also get bus service to the Griffith Observatory from the Vermont/Sunset Metro Red Line station. It runs on Saturday and Sunday, except holidays, about every half hour.
