Griffith Observatory - Los Angeles, California

Nicci C.

It's a beautiful, historic building. Though it is very busy as it is a top tourist attraction. The parking is $10 an hour so we ended up getting an Uber to the top, which they have a reserved drop off point for so this was pretty easy.

The planetarium show was amazing. We went to the "place in the universe" one and it was informative but also interesting. There was a live presenter who had a very soothing voice. For $10 a ticket, it is very reasonable and worth it. They did make us queue outside for the show which was annoying as it was very windy and chilly that day. You can only buy the tickets at the booths in the observatory, though there are so many shows a day, you would be sure to get onto one.

The exhibits in the main observatory were good though I doubt you would need more than a couple of hours there. I'm glad it was free and I am not sure there is enough to the exhibits.

You also get a good view of the Hollywood sign and all of LA.

My one gripe is that they had fences around the grass at the front I assume to stop people sitting on it though it ruined the view.

Overall, it's an iconic part of LA. Worth the trip but be prepared for a busy visit.

Robert G.

Beautiful location with great overlooking views. This is also a great place to see the Hollywood sign from a distance. You can snap photos of the sign. The walk around the exterior of the observatory is nice. There are bathrooms on site. The parking is paid street parking but if you go there before the observatory is open you don't have to pay. There is a ton of hiking trails in the hills but we didn't get a chance to hike them. There are also the cool wings to get a good photo opportunity with the Hollywood sign in the back.

Andrea S. V.

I had an amazing experience visiting Griffith Observatory! The location offers some of the most breathtaking views of Los Angeles, especially at sunset. The observatory itself is full of fascinating exhibits about space and astronomy, and the planetarium show was both educational and captivating. Unfortunately I didn't had the chance to look through the telescopes 🙁
it's a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in science or stargazing.

About parking, we'll there's a lot of people so maybe you need to walk a lot. Bring water and sunscreen 🙂

Definitely a must-visit spot in L.A.

Evelyn G.

Beautiful place free to enter, great for a family outing. Has gift shop and coffee shop. Offers a lot of great history,photo ops, and beautiful views of the city. Amazing telescope to view the night sky. Paid parking all throughout the area 4 hours max, so plan accordingly. Depending on where you get parking, there will be a walking uphill. I recommend wearing comfortable shoes.

K

Worth to go when you visit LA
I recommend going there both day and night.

During the day, you can see a live image of the sun and enjoy a scenic view of the town. The Hollywood sign is small, though.

During the night, about 7:30-9:00 p.m., you can look at the stars through telescopes. The day we went, there were two small ones and one large one available on top. We could see Venus, Mars, and Jupiter with its tiny cutie moons. That was highly impressive.

Stepan B.

An absolutely amazing experience. Great view of the Hollywood sign, and a beautiful place to watch the sunset.

The staff was very knowledgeable, explaining all of our questions. It was an amazing museum, show up ready to spend HOURS wondering and reading, all for $0. This is amazing. I recommend parking at the bottom of the hill and taking the ¢50 DASH bus but you might be able to find parking, though it is paid. 10/10 must visit

Nhật H.

Took the bus up to Griffith Observatory early in the morning, and honestly, solid decision. The ride itself was chill—no crazy traffic, just me vibing, looking forward to finally seeing that view of LA.
The moment I stepped off, bam—the Hollywood Sign was right there in the distance, looking iconic as ever. The whole city stretched out below, like something straight outta a postcard. It was one of those rare "damn, this is actually real" moments.
Inside, the space exhibits were insane. I mean, standing under the giant Foucault pendulum, checking out meteorites, and pretending I actually understand astronomy? 10/10 experience. And people there? Super chill. Strangers striking up convos, photographers offering to snap pics without scamming you (looking at you, Times Square).
Spent way too long staring at the Hollywood streets from up there, soaking it all in before hopping back on the bus. If you ever hit LA, Griffith is a must—perfect mix of science, skyline, and straight-up good vibes.

Destination D. W. M.

I decided to walk up to the observatory, and it was a fantastic experience. You can also park at the top for a fee, but if you have the energy, I highly recommend walking up—it’s worth it! The view is incredible, with long stretches of buildings and roads, and you can even see the Hollywood sign from there. There are also plenty of hiking trails in the area. Looking forward to visiting again!