Griffith Observatory sits on the south slope of Mount Hollywood, looking out over Los Angeles. Entry and the exhibits are free; the planetarium shows and the parking are not. Getting up and down the hill is the part that catches people out.
Free exhibits on astronomy and the history of the sky, the Foucault pendulum, the Tesla coil, and roof terraces with wide views over the city and toward the Hollywood Sign.
Ticketed shows in the dome, sold on site the day of your visit rather than online. This is the one paid part of a normal visit.
On clear evenings, staff and volunteers set up the Zeiss refractor and portable telescopes on the lawn for free public viewing.
The observatory is closed Mondays. Building entry is free; planetarium tickets are sold only on site. Hours and telescope nights depend on weather and staffing. Confirm on griffithobservatory.org.
The car park is small and fills by late morning on weekends. The DASH Observatory bus from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station, a rideshare, or a hike up from Fern Dell all avoid the parking crush.
You only pay for the planetarium and for parking. Everything else in the building is open to walk in.
Arriving in the late afternoon lets you see the city by day, at dusk and lit up, and lines up with the evening telescope viewing when skies are clear.
Sunset is the sweet spot.
Entry to the building and grounds is free. Planetarium shows cost a modest amount and parking is paid.
Can I buy planetarium tickets in advance?
No. They are sold only at the box office on the day, so arrive with time before the show you want.
When is it closed?
The observatory is closed every Monday. It closes for a few public holidays as well; check the official site.
Where can I see the Hollywood Sign?
The west-facing terraces and lawn give a clear, elevated view of the sign. The building itself is the classic foreground for photos.
Griffith Observatory opened in 1935 on land given to the city by Griffith J. Griffith. It sits in Griffith Park and is operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.
It combines free public astronomy exhibits and viewing terraces with the ticketed Samuel Oschin Planetarium and regular free telescope nights. It is also one of the best-known viewpoints over Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.
This page is an independent guide for visitors, covering the City of Los Angeles and Griffith Observatory.
