Hills · Neighborhood · Before sunset · Book P.128–129
Griffith Observatory
About
Griffith Observatory sits on the south slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. It opened in 1935 and entry is free (planetarium shows are ticketed). Inside are astronomy exhibits and telescopes; the terraces look over Downtown, the Hollywood Sign and the whole basin. La La Land filmed its dreamy planetarium scene here. Parking is rough on weekends and at sunset; the DASH Observatory bus is the easy way up.
Jasmine says
A city observatory with no admission fee,
and LA's best storyteller of a night view.
My advice never changes:
head up an hour before sunset
and catch daytime, golden hour and the city lights all at once.
Where they dance in La La Land,
and it's even better in person.
Stay till the city lights come on; that's when it's complete.
Jasmine’s notes
- Los FelizIf I could only recommend one place, it'd be this one; standing up here is when you really get how big LA is. Best time: golden hour. City lights, the Hollywood Sign and stars all at once. It's the start of the Mt. Hollywood trail, and parking in the lot and along the road is all paid, card only. One of the few free city-light views in LA open till 10 p.m., with DTLA on one side and the Hollywood Sign on the other.Order: Sunset is the busiest time; to skip circling the hill for parking, take LADOT's DASH Observatory, 50 cents cash
- Address
- 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
- Website
- griffithobservatory.org →
- Best time
- Before sunset
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