Reviews of Griffith Observatory (Museum)

Raphaël R.

You really have to do the visit, stunning views on LA and great atmosphere all around. Had the chance to have a look at the Moon from one of the telescope. Once again to park you have to bring out a few bucks but they are worth it.

Josemi Hernández García

Incredible place. You can see LA from there and the famous Hollywood cartel.

A Google User

My tenth time being here. Good view and interesting exhibition. I will bring every friend here to see LA. But it’s really hard to find a parking spot on weekend. We parked really far, and walked more than one mile. Next time, I will chop an early morning.

candy05dd

Everything has changed. Now they charge for parking even if you parked on the street. One way drive. The employees are very rude when it's closing time. The only reason I am giving a 4 start is because this is a very educational place to learn a little about our universe.

Tim Castro

Art Deco masterpiece. Fantastic views of Los Angeles. Wonderful Planetarium shows. Take a look through the 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope. Because of limited parking, It can be a bit of a hassle to get there. But it's well worth a visit.

Tanmoy Som

Griffith Observatory. Southern California's gateway to the cosmos! Visitors can look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. Admission to the building and grounds is always FREE. In order to watch daily shows you need to pay. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students with I.D. and seniors, and $3 for children between 5 - 12 years old. Children under 5 are admitted to the first show of the day, only, and must sit on an adult's lap. The Griffith Observatory is the most iconic building in Los Angeles, perched high in the Hollywood Hills, 1,134 feet above sea level. ... When Welsh-born Griffith J. Griffith looked through the telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory, it quite literally changed his perspective on life. Please visit this place. You will love this place for sure.

Emilie Kane

Best view of LA. And totally free! We also saw Saturn using a telescope they had there. Great way to spend an evening in LA.

Shoaib Shawoo

My daughter wanted to see the HOLLYWOOD sign, so I put it in Google Maps, and it took me to the Griffith Observatory and surrounding hills! Sure, one can see the sign from here, but barely! Actually later we realized that we had a better view of the sign from the rooftop of the Airbnb apartment on Cahuenga Blvd where we were staying! In any case, the views of the city from the top are quite lovely. Additionally, the observatory is worth a visit, which houses a planetarium, telescopes, exhibits and a large pendulum depicting the rotation of the earth. I believe it is always very crowded, and we parked about half a mile away on the roadside, but when we walked uphill to the park, we found that there was sufficient parking available there, despite all the crowd. The parking fee is $ 10, which is rather expensive.

Dennis Hompelton

A symbol of Los Angeles ... what else do you have to say? First visited here way back in the mid 80s for a school field trip. Visited numerous times during college. Finally dropped by again taking some out of town friends. The renovations and paint look nice. Place is as beautiful as ever. Came during a nice sunny day with few clouds.... Hollywood sign, James Dean bust, and the LA backdrop!

John Groezinger

Amazing experience! All the hype due to its reputation as a cool place? Answered! Just GO

Ross Marullo

Possibly one if the coolest places in the world. If your interested in science and astronomy, this is the place to visit. The view alone is worth the trip! The Griffith Observatory is also very interesting with tons of cool stuff to check out. I could spend hours here and still not see everything.

Dan Roman

Great place to visit plan ahead since it gets really busy. Has some of the best views of Los Angeles there is also a bus that takes u up from the Greek theater area parking highly recommend.

tommy chong

Very packed at night! Still really cool to look at downtown LA. You can go inside the observatory and look at the different mini exhibits which is for free. I know for some other activities, there is a fee that you have to pay. For all you chemistry nerds, be sure to check out the coolest periodic table in the world!

bharath reddy

Amazing views. I'd recommend the planetarium show. It's the only thing you pay for in the observatory. Totally worth the money. You have to be in time for the show, they won't open the doors if you are late.

Dmitry Berezhnoy

It is a very educating and entertaining place. Pendulum, live Sun view and Tesla Coil are amazing. Views from the balcony and the upper level are beautiful. On the day of our visit there was an event driven by volunteers and amateur astronomers, they brought a variety of telescopes of all kinds and sizes, and everyone had an opportunity to see the Sun and the Moon. Almost $7 for an ice cream that's insane and they don't have price tags on it.

Jcx

The location of the observatory is perfect for watching the sun set and viewing the LA bowl at night in which it shines like a jewel. Really one of a kind experience.

Alex Y

The observatory was amazing. Every exhibits were interesting and fun. The views were exceptional. Only gripe is that there will be more people in the evening. Possibly to see the sunset? Also if you are planning on hiking to the Hollywood sign, I strongly recommend hiking shoes or at least tennis shoes. The hike is about 4 miles and some paths are narrow (2ft). If you are not into hiking, you can drive near the sign and walk a short distance.

Happy H

My sixth time being here. Good view and interesting exhibition. I will bring every friend here to see LA. But it’s really hard to find a parking spot on weekend. We parked really far, and walked more than one mile. Next time, I will chop an early morning.

Kanwar Randhawa

One of my favourite places I have visited so far. As someone who has studied science this feels like a paradise to visit. From massive telescopes all the way to a detailed periodic table. Amazing view of the LA basin as well as you can see the Hollywood sign. I’d recommend going at less busy times of the day. Parking can be a hassle so might be better to Uber down there.

Jonathan C

Great place if you want to look at the whole city from above. The Hollywood sign was covered by fog when we got there. So make sure you check the forecast if you want to take a good photo of the Hollywood sign.

Edward Crawford

It has the most amazing view of L.A. Everything about it is great. It is a great place to visit where we can fully enjoy.

Marina Kovalchuk

The Planetarium is a must visit place! I was blown away by the 3D performance with stars and planets. Literally felt myself flying!

Ryan Porter

As always Griffith Observatory and park are a perfect day out anytime. I love this spot because it offers one of the best views of Los Angeles. Great parking and a wonderful place to picnic. The observatory has everything you want to see and learn. There are hands-on exhibits for both children and adults. Don't forget your camera!

Danielle Marsh

Griffith Observatory does not need tickets, but also can enjoy the scenery of the downtown area of Los Angeles and the Hollywood sign, is a must-see for tourists. People need more patience when parking for a long time.

Kristina Derosier

Still really cool to look at downtown LA. You can go inside the observatory and look at the different mini exhibits which is for free. I know for some other activities, there is a fee that you have to pay.

FAZE ICER

Super cool place to check out to see the Hollywood sign. Parking stinks but if you go early enough you shouldn’t have a problem. There are many cool areas to read about and check out. Tons of outdoor areas to walk around or sit. The views are 360 degrees in this area and it’s stunning!!! It’s free to walk in and a couple bucks to see the presentation. Definitely a tourist spot but I recommend !!

Krishna

As always Griffith Observatory and park are a perfect day out anytime. This one of place for Los Angeles views. The observatory has everything you want to see and learn. There are hands-on exhibits for both children and adults. Make sure you have a camera to capture a beautiful moments. It’s a super cool place to check out to see the Hollywood sign. Parking stinks but if you go early enough you shouldn’t have a problem. There are many cool areas to read about and check out. Tons of outdoor areas to walk around or sit. The views are 360 degrees in this area and it’s stunning!!! It’s free to walk in and a couple bucks to see the presentation. Definitely a tourist spot but I recommend !!

Aashish A

Very Informative observatory, in right time of day, you could see good view of Moon. Even show in planetarium is must watch. Make sure to buy tickets as soon as you reached, it sold out fast. View of Entire LA city is breathtaking. Good place to photograph Hollywood sign. Many view from this place can be seen in many movies and TV series. Must go if you are in LA. FYI, there is quite big parking place on 10 min walking from observatory, if parking in observatory is full.

THAT FREE SOUL

If you are in LA this is a must see spot. Whether your with friends or family you will get some of the best views. Daytime or night time you will be very pleased with a trip up to the observatory!

Matt Wenner

It's really cool with a great view of the city. Cool exhibits inside, there was also a telescope set up to see Jupiter when we went........but p getting there and finding parking is a message. It kinda makes it not worth the hassle.

Vinoth Ramanujam

Very nice place for kids. Loads of information on universe. They have 1 hour show on various topics about sky, earth and other plants. Very informative. Had a chance to see Jupiter through magnificent telescopes. My daughter enjoyed the place and time there.

Femme Florale

To make photos of the Hollywood sign is better in the first part of the day. Very interesting place, amazing view! We were in the evening-lA is amazing with lights! There was a girl, offering to watch the telescope and she told us so many interesting stories and facts about the sky!! It was the best lesson of geography and astronomy for all my life! Thank you! Also there is a place in the building where you can measure the temperature of your body in different places (nose, mouth, eyes) with infrared light.

Stephen Stone

This place is all around perfect. Seriously. Theres trails nearby if you want to hike, but the real interesting part is the Observatory. Especially if you're an Astronomy freak like I am. The nicest part of this observatory is downstairs, where they have the big exhibit of space related material, to pick your brain at. The observation decks are incredible for getting nice pictures of the entirety of Los Angeles, but have I mentioned the space room yet? Seriously, go to that room and you can spend a lot of time. The observatory is a tourist location, however, so don't expect it to be relaxed and quiet, there's often a lot of people here, and parking can get busy and full up at the top. The price for parking is pretty reasonable though, at $4 an hour. But this is a fantastic location for photographers who love to take pictures of landscapes, because there aren't very many places to get such wide open views of Los Angeles.

Z. Cai

One of the best views of LA is had from the Griffith, and also there's astronomy. It's a relatively short hike up from the west side using the E Observatory trail, and not too challenging. The views at the observatory were great and on weekends there's often groups of astronomy enthusiasts with their equipment on the lawn ready to bedazzle those interested. It's a cordial atmosphere at these gatherings. Observatory itself had a small number of exhibits, but none of them too engaging. The only bright spot is probably the room with the Einstein sculpture and the giants planet models. The real reason to come is for views of LA. It's a beautiful place to watch the sunset of the LA nightscape. Because LA is such a flat city (in terms of buildings, you can get a good panorama view of the entire area and even the islands off in the distance. Highly recommended.

劉世猷

I have to say the night view on the top of the observatory is so magnificent. You can see the downtown of Los Angeles on your left hand side and the Hollywood on your right hand side. Very recommend you to go there during 7 to 9 p.m. But the traffic is so crowded during that time, you have to be patient lol. Lots of souvenirs such as T-shirts, hoods, rings, pins sold within the shop. You may dressed more when you plan to go there, cause it’s windy and the temperature drops a little bit.

Yeston Wood

Brilliant place to see Los Angeles views and Hollywood sign ... learn about the stars and universe.

Bon Manhkong

Beautiful space and amazing views of LA and the famous Hollywood sign. Parking along the street is $8 an hour. Small hike up. Wish the sidewalk was wider to accommodate all the pedestrians... Definitely not a walk friendly hike. But once you're there... You're inspired.

May Anderson

I really enjoyed the morning excursion I took to the Griffith Observatory. One highlight is the free documentary which tells the history of the observatory and land around it. There are choices of other movies to watch also. We weren't able to reach the upper level due to rain, so I can't comment on that, but walking around the outer perimeter of the building provides excellent views of Los Angles and the hiking trails below. Exhibits within the observatory are most interesting: one can spend more than one day to take it all in.

Nicholas Boykin

Friends and I didn't have enough time to park and take in everything there is to see but the drive through the park is astounding alone. Just like most other things worth seeing in LA it will cost you. Not nearly as bad as some other attractions though. Overall a very cool place to hike, take in the sights and re-evaluate your place on the Earth.

ChengYang Chen

Educational with kids about space and galaxy. Gases fingerprint is pretty cool. Self paced tour takes about 3hrs.

Ankur Shrivastava

Great place, good display of all matereological activities and the time calculation. Person having interest in space and everything they will find this place very informative. They also have some shows for which you need to buy tickets.

Daniel Harrison

This place has amazing views. I hiked a few miles up from a free car park to the top and it was worth it. Views of the Hollywood sign as well.

mahesh mahipathi

Griffith Observatory has the most stunning view of Los Angeles and the great thing is it's all free! . its great hike from the parking. You can also view the Hollywood sign. The museum is cool and also free. This place is great for pictures, and perfect for families.

romeo carlos

Perfect place to go for a family outing! Planetarium shows are something to look forward to. The view is mesmerizing. Keeping a camera handy will be a cleaver step! Admission to museum is free of cost. Overall, you will have an eventful day with loads of information.

Andrew Chapman

Amazing views! I love this place. Always visit with my family.

Adnan Karim

The Griffith Observatory is a facility in Los Angeles, California, sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles' Griffith Park. It commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including Downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. The observatory is a popular tourist attraction with a close view of the Hollywood Sign and an extensive array of space and science-related displays. Admission has been free since the observatory's opening in 1935, in accordance with the will of Griffith J. Griffith, the benefactor after whom the observatory is named. Planetarium shows at the Observatory are offered eight times a day on weekdays and ten times a day on weekends, of which a nominal fee is charged for admission to the planetarium shows. The Observatory offers free public telescope viewing every night it’s open as long as the sky is clear. There is a small parking lot next to the Observatory, which requires payment of $8-10 an hour, depending on the season. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) operates daily low-cost DASH Observatory public bus service from the Vermont / Sunset Metro Red Line station to the Observatory. The observatory is closed on Mondays. There are photo opportunities and scenery at and around the Observatory, with views of the Pacific Ocean, the Hollywood Sign and Downtown Los Angeles.

Willa James

It is a nice place to visit. Admission is free but you do have to pay $10 an hour for parking so it's almost like paying admission. They have a variety of exhibits. The one about different meteorites was interesting. They also have pretty murals on the ceiling and a large pendulum. You can also see the Hollywood sign from here.

Tom Taylor

You can enjoy stunning views of LA from the Observatory. Don’t be a fat American and drive though - you’ll be stuck in queues for hours! Hike up here - it’s easy and it’ll be good for you!

Ricky Martinez

I cannot stress this enough: the parking here needs to be RESERVED for those solely going to the Observatory, not for Greek Theater overflow. Twice now we’ve had to meander through dark winding roads on the side of the hills just to get up to the Observatory (the first time a month ago was impossible to find parking, so we left!), and all of this hassle just for some mediocre city views and lackluster exhibits that need some serious updating!

Tommy Andersson

Great place with a great view over the city, especially at night and the exhibits inside were good if you find astronomy interesting. Also the planetarium show we went to was amazing and worth the time and money. I would recommend taking an Uber or taxi there since traffic and parking was a nightmare if you're not gonna hike up

Lauren Prince

A Los Angeles landmark that you have to check off your list. The building itself is amazing to look at and walk around. If it's a clear day, the views of the city are great and Hollywood sign not bad. The exhibit inside is interesting but looking a bit tired. I would comment on the Valkyries planetarium show but I feel asleep during it (the chairs recline right back and were comfy.. Oops!). I caught a Lyft to the top which was fine but going back down was a nightmare. No phone service at all so couldn't get a ride share back. Ended up catching the bus for 50c cash to Los Feliz and a rideshare from there.

Travel Wanderer

A must see attraction in LA. Free entrance to the observatory. But if you want to see few shows and Planetarium need to pay. But show prices are not expensive. It is quite a bit walk to observatory from parking. We took Planetarium show and person who narrated the show is amazing. This is the best show I ever saw in my life. Unfortunately I am not able to recollect his name. We took the show "Centered in the Universe ". After the show I got a feeling that we are nothing when compared to universe. I wish I could spend so much time there in exploring the observatory.

Randy Chandra

The observatory sits on top of a small hill, with an expansive view of Los Angeles downtown. It is also close by to the Hollywood sign. Finding parking can be a challenge... and it is not cheap. You’ll be surprise to find so many people there, and mainly they’re in for the photos... so not really for learning astronomy. But again, it is nice just to spend some time taking the view of LA (better in the afternoon or night, because of the fog).

Ethan Harlacher

Great piece of astronomical history. Definitely worth a trip, but I would recommend not going in August like I did. Being on a hill with an intense sun can almost ruin your day. Even with the heat, it's still a fabulous place to spend your day. You'll even get an opportunity to see the Hollywood sign.

Durvank Yewle

Very educational place near LA! Must visit for ~30mins around 7-9p local time. There is not admission fee for the observatory Tips - - The telescope was available from 7-9p only (check this time, as it may vary as per season) -If earlier than 7, check out the auditorium at 5-6p, they have some shows going on weekends - start from basement where the “big picture” is stationed - spend loads of time on top level - fantastic view or LA city, the Hollywood sign and soothing in general as well

Sprinkles On Lips

Griffith Observatory has the most stunning view of Los Angeles and the great thing is it's all free! There is a transportation system called Dash that's only $0.50 per rider, and it'll take you up the hill if you parked further down. You can also view the Hollywood sign. The museum is cool and also free. This place is great for pictures, and perfect for families.

Adam Moranos

Perfect place for family outing. Wonderful place for photography as you see the whole city of Los Angeles and the view is breathtaking. You get to see the Hollywood Sign and many movies have been shot there. If you are in Los Angeles, do visit the place.

Maurício Fernandes

If you have two or more days in LA, you should visit this place. Scenic view of all city. Go before 12pm on weekdays and park is free. After that, parking becomes very gexpensive and difficult to find a spot.

Vishal Grover

Great place to be in - if you are keen on knowing the origin of Earth and life on Earth. It also gives a breathtaking view of entire Los Angeles city. I will suggest to do hiking to Hollywood sign and then from there go to Observatory.

AJ T

Paid 10$ for 1hour parking, got 68$ fine for blocking a fire hydrant that was not visible at night

Mike Firestone

Terrible place to access. Tried three times to get to the observatory and the traffic was ridiculous. It was three different days at different times. Was going to have to park 2 miles away and walk. Was going to be way to far to push a pram. Very disappointing. Please put in more parking!!!

Two Flying Dumplings

Although it was a rainy and overcast morning, it was still very busy at Griffith Observatory. We thoroughly enjoyed the interactive exhibits inside the Observatory on all things Astrological. From discovering how much we weighed (simulated) on each of the different planets and moons to creating our own earthquake on a seismometer. Luckily the weather cleared up by the time we finished exploring the exhibits, and we were able to get a clear birds-eye view of Los Angeles and the famous Hollywood sign.

Brock Whittaker

They have 1 hour show on various topics about sky, earth and other plants. Very informative. Had a chance to see Jupiter through magnificent telescopes. My daughter enjoyed the place and time there.

Alex Ji

Great place to come at night, I even saw Jupiter up in the sky! Only downside was that we had to park way down the mountain and walk about a mile to get up. I saw this projector as well

AMamalala A

This is a do not miss in your lifetime experience. Go early. Take the shuttle bus from the Greek theatre. Watch the sunset. Go to the roof for the views. Take a moment after dark a look through the telescope. go slowly & touch the interactive displays & learn infinite ideas of our expanding universe. Forget the theme parks & come here. Every single part of this will have your family reminiscing for generations. Touching!

Jeremy Klavens

Parking used to be free. It is now $8 an hour!!! That is outlandish! Not only that, but you must pre pay. So that means you have to just guess how long you'll be at the observatory and then constantly be working against the clock. I understand if they need to charge for parking, but a much better system would be a ticket system where you pay when you are leaving. That way you can enjoy everything you want to enjoy at a leisurely pace and pay for the time you've used. Also, $3-4 an hour is more acceptable. I've lived in LA for 20 years and Griffith Observatory used to be a great place to go. But with such insane parking prices and system, I'm not returning.

Ritu Dhariwal

Worth the visit !! Planetarium and astronomy museum with great panoramic views(LA and Hollywood sign). View was amazing and you will find loads of cool information like your weight on other planets and Big Bang Theory. Admission to museum is free and only $8 for planetarium show which was really entertaining and informative, Narrator was very entertaining. It's tough to find parking during high season, so be prepared. Would recommend taking taxi/Uber because of traffic and parking issues.

Joshua Cox

If you can find a place to park, this place is so awesome. The view can't be beat, the planetarium is really cool and the shows are incredibly well done. We loved our visit!

Mandy Slawson

Beautiful Griffith Observatory Because we don't have transportation, so we took uber up. It was a bit cold because it was on the mountain. The view that looked at it was really beautiful. I still saw the Hollywood sign.

Monica M

The cell service is spotty so if you are coming up by Uber/Lyft make sure to communicate with your driver once they accept your ride request when trying to get off the top. You or the driver might not have the cell service to communicate at the top and the driver might cancel your ride. Really cool view of Downtown LA. I came here on my first trip to LA last year and was really happy I went. I only spent a short amount of time here but wish I would have done more as they had a whole museum and information about space in the lower section of the observatory.

Philip Furnish

Griffith is a great spot for a half day trip. It is close to the Hollywood walk of Fame but is so much more interesting. Really beautiful building with great architecture and wonderful views of LA and the coast. If there isn't an even going on at the Greek Theater park in its lot for free and take the shuttle up to the observatory. It only costs 50 cents and saves you a ton of walking if you have to park on the side of the mountain. Really great spot. Will definitely go back next time I am in LA.

Sam Bartleman

Bring a camera - incredible views of LA here. There’s also a little museum place inside with some interesting astronomy tidbits. One hour to see it all, it’s a good idea to combine this with a trip to see the Hollywood sign.

RW Wilson

Honestly, we went to the observatory to view the Hollywood sign, but we enjoyed the site. Our boys love astronomy and Greek mythology and there’s an amazing ceiling mural depicting the latter. The observatory is free, which is a definite plus, but it is extremely crowded due to people like us who go there to see the Hollywood sign.

José Oscar Raygoza Rodríguez

It's a great place, interactive museum, interesting things inside. I could see the Tesla Coil work, the planetarium is awesome, and the best is the show of the universe, you need to buy a ticket if you are here and enjoy.

Yogesh Chaudhari

Extremely informative observatory with access to some powerful telescopes. Plan ahead to spend lot of time here as there’s lot to explore in the observatory.

Sharad Wagle

It a perfect place to have a panaroma view of the LA. I suggest to visit before the sunshine or just before the sunset to have a great view. You can also have a Hollywood on the background from this area without walking the cliff. You can reach this place by driving however you can expect heavy traffic during the weekends.

Shashwat Kadam

You must vist this place in Los Angeles. The park is open 24*7 Observatory closes @ 10 pm but the view of Los Angeles City is crazy beautiful. Also the planetarium is amazing. And this is one of the filming location for La La Land.

Keskim Shillingford

Long lines to get to the telescope... and parking can be crazy... but the view is epic. In the night you are able to see the glow of the city sprawled out before you. It is free. Definitely something unique and different to do in the city. It can get crowded on weekend nights.... and a bit chilly.

M M

Love the views of this place but every time we come there's never parking they must hike up and I'm afraid I don't want to run into any mountain lions

Kar-Ming To

Truly great views of LA from here. A nice paved uphill hike from the bus stop.

Nick Allen

Definitely must see. Views are breathtaking. Mountains make you fall in love. Very romantic. Can look around forever.

Angelia Bella

Simply magical. Griffith Park is where you want to go to take your mind off of the grind for a little while, and explore space. The observatory is full of information about our universe, and they educate you in fun ways. They show really cool movies about space, and earth for under ten dollars, and the other parts are free to explore. They have a little gift shop, and eating area, as well. The views are amazing, and the staff is very professional, and friendly. One of my favorite places in L.A.. Tip: Parking is almost impossible, so consider taking a Lyft. The cafe is expensive, as the observatory is frequently visited by tourists.

Chrisie B

Definite go to for tourists! Seriously some of the best views and a fun little museum. Entry is free, the observatory show isn’t badly priced and parking is crazy but if you park at the lots down the hill you can take the bus for like $0.35/person and it’s MUCH less walking than parking on the mountain.

David Jones

You never know what or who you'll see while at the Griffith Observatory but one thing is for sure you'll have a beautiful view of LA, the Hollywood hills and Sunsets. While parking can be a chore sometimes take the time to visit I promise you won't be sorry at all.

Daniel White

Griffith Observatory Because we don't have transportation, so we took lyft up. It was a bit cold because it was on the mountain. The view that looked at it was really beautiful. I still saw the Hollywood sign.

De Riicc R

Greats views over LA. The sunset is particularly pleasing to the eyes. Be aware that parking is chaotic and the very expensive at $10 per hour, yes you read that right!!. Don’t let a few dollars discourage you from going though!!

Ryzelle Nicole Corcuera

I loved Griffith Observatory! I can't believe it's free. There were so many awesome exhibits on space to check out. Additionally, outside at night, they have telescopes for you to look through! Definitely a must see.

Dorothy Rose

I really enjoyed the morning excursion I took to the Griffith Observatory. One highlight is the free documentary which tells the history of the observatory and land around it. There are choices of other movies to watch also. We weren't able to reach the upper level due to rain, so I can't comment on that, but walking around the outer perimeter of the building provides excellent views of Los Angles and the hiking trails below. Exhibits within the observatory are most interesting: one can spend more than one day to take it all in.

Eve E

This is truly a gem in Los Angeles! Loved it here, it was very overcrowded on a Saturday mid-morning / afternoon. There were too many tourists to enjoy the full extent of the park, but it was an amazing place to visit. We hiked up from the lower parking lot since the upper lots get full before 10am. Once at the observatory, it was just a wonderful place to spend the morning. The cafe and gift shop are also very much appreciated! We will be coming back on a less busy day.

John K

This place is fantastic, however be prepared for the crowds and possible hike to reach it. With thousands of people visiting, especially in the summer, it gets really busy. Alternatively you can park down at the base of the hill and take the bus up. This is the best way to visit it, it will save you a ton of time driving in and out, and ensures you get dropped off up front. Don't bother dropping anyone off either because you can only get close, they will still need to hike. Bring food, drinks, binoculars and a camera at a minimum. Oh, and try not to plan the visit during a busy concert at the Greek, that will add to the traffic.

Lyndon Monzon

This is place is highly recommended if you are in LA. No entrance fees to visit the place. The observatory provides great views of the city of Los Angeles as well as the stunning mountains including the famous Hollywood sign. There is also a museum inside the observatory perfect for astronomy aficionados. Parking may be a bit difficult though specially during peak hours. You may opt to park downhill and hike up for about 10-15 mins.

Laura Thomas

Beautiful site and very well maintained. That being said, I was shocked that Griffith does not have its educational displays in English and Spanish. It just floored me. I would think a partnership with a local college Spanish department would be a terrific project to make the information more accessible to more visitors.

Rob Wall

The Observatory on the hills of Hollywood has appeared in many movies, with excellent vision and world-renowned. The main building is not too big, but the display is rich in content, and the explanation is clear and detailed. It coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, and there is a special exhibition in the basement. Just because people are very crowded, and parking spaces are few and expensive, very troublesome.

Noah Langford

Such incredible views of Los Angeles from here and it’s so magical at night.

sabrina S

City is very urban and Griffith Park is a great way to get away from Urban life.

Rachel Milito your Realtor

Super cool place to check out to see the Hollywood sign. Parking stinks but if you go early enough you shouldn’t have a problem. There are many cool areas to read about and check out. Tons of outdoor areas to walk around or sit. The views are 360 degrees in this area and it’s stunning!!! It’s free to walk in and a couple bucks to see the presentation. Definitely a tourist spot but I recommend !!

Nikisha R. Julien

Beautiful place, nice spot to see the Hollywood sign. A must go to place when visiting LA. I really enjoyed the view!

Diana Norris

Such a wonderful place, you can see the Hollywood sign, downtown LA..It was so awesome to see the moon and Saturn. We will be coming back.

Thomas Doaré

Very nice walk around and in this observatory, I've been here at sunset with the city lights, fire truck sirens... Really impressive.

Dallin Kimble

We arrived around 11:30 and should have ignored the signs and checked the closer parking lots first. The free exhibits were neat, but the show about water was the perfect primer on stars, constellations, planets and life.

Phill Parkers

Nice place to visit and see the night sky. Awesome place to relax and have fun.

Jess Colopy

Personally I wish I had come at night to see the city. The views were nice but there wasn’t much to do inside as an adult, and the telescope was closed. But it’s a must do in LA. Just be prepared to walk far uphill if you plan on driving, and to have to search for cell service if you need an Uber down the mountain because the WiFi here is not good!

Jason Patrick

The best part of the Griffith Observatory is that it's free! The land was originally donated to the city of LA (3,015 acres) by Griffith J Griffith - which is now Griffith Park inc. the Observatory. One of his stipulations was that everything on the land remains free to the visitors of the park. The observatory has a great view of the Hollywood sign, a couple of really cool telescopes, and many fun exhibits that will teach you all sorts of "science-y" stuff ;) Enjoy!

Eddie Steward

The place is very beautiful. A modern iron structure against the backdrop of ancient mountains.... everything looks very contrast. Downstairs there is a place where you can not only relax, but also have a hearty meal. Prices are moderate.

SL SL

Parking... $10 per hour. Free to go inside the Observatory, but the shows you need to pay for. Los Angeles found a way to pay for museum maintenance with the parking charges. Parking further down the hill and hiking to Hollywood sign and Observatory still free... for now.

Kyle Wit

Gorgeous view of Los Angeles that extends from the Pacific Ocean in the west to Long Beach in the south and far to the east and southeast in a mountain setting. Excellent view of the Hollywood sign northwest with hiking trail accessible from observatory. Parking is difficult, so take the DASH Observatory red line bus for 50 cents from the city just east of Hollywood, it will take you directly to the observatory and back. I met some beautiful people on the observatory with a stunning view as our conversational backdrop. There is even a charger outlet on the patio with a view! Bring a good camera! But make sure to be aware of pickpockets and scammers.

Gowri Nataraj

Great observatory . We enjoyed the city view from up . Getting parking up is really hard . We parked down and took a hike up to the observatory.

Ara Mani

This is one of the best spots to check out in Los Angeles. Make sure to go there early so you can have a parking spot. It is free to go inside and after Sunset they bring out telescopes and you can check out the Stars and the planets. They have a small Café but it is extremely expensive. This is my updated review: now they charge 10 dollars to park, but its 10 dollars an hour!!! and this caused people not.to go there anymore. I dont know what the city is thinking to charge 10 dollars an hour for people to go there. Your best option is to park down and hike up there .

Elijah Mayorov

It's a must see place in LA! It free and it's awesome. If you have kids, you must also bring them there, they may learn a lot! For parking, I would recommend to leave your car on the free parking lot at the bottom of the hill and go up by foot, it's a 15 minutes walk. Otherwise you may choose paying 15$ / hour parking right next to the observatory.

Luz Myers

This is a really good place for one to enjoy from day to night. They got great exhibitions for geoscience/astronomy lovers, and the world-famous night scene is just beautiful.Nice observatory, knowledge astronomy staff, friendly security, less than stellar staff at the cafe. Awesome exhibits, great views of Downtown LA, the Hollywood sign, and the sunset.

Willy Hughes

Best views of LA. Historic, art decor architecture, depression era art, all housing a genuine science center. Take a hike in the canyon or park close by. There is wildlife, a bird sanctuary and the Gene Autry museum to take in too. This is a must see gem.

Brandon Graham

Absolutely recommended. Free admission and lots to do and look at. The show about the beginning of the universe was $8 and definitely worth it. I wish they used the lasers more during the show, but the narrator was awesome. You can tell he's passionate about the subject, and seems to really enjoy his job. I would have loved to hear him talk more.

T A

Amazing view of the LA city. The museum is free. The ticket to the show is very cheap and totally worth the price. After watching the show, I feel more appreciated for our universe. We are living in a magic world.

James Speed

The observatory itself is fascinating and full of fun stuff to look at. It is very crowded though, even at night. The views of LA and Hollywood from up there are the absolute best, be it day or night. Beware though, parking is a total nightmare. There is limited parking at the observatory itself, and $8 per hour paid parking along the road may or may not be found. There is no sidewalk further down the road so use caution and bring a flashlight at night to find your way up. Parking used to be free along the road years ago when we went. You'd think sidewalks could be installed for safety's sake with all the money the parking and parking tickets bring in.

Ashish Nair

Definitely worth the visit if you are travelling in LA. Admission is free and you get to see interesting visual appearances about the planets through telescopes. Another plus point is that you can see the Hollywood Sign and take some great pictures with it!

Johnny Cheung

We came in the evening and it was really crowded driving up to the observatory and at the observatory. Bring your patience and give yourself time to drive up and find parking especially if you come close to when it closes. There is limited parking at the observatory. I believe you can park at the Greek Theatre close by for free if there isn't a concert. When we went there was a concert so parking cost $30 at the Greek Theatre. Parking at the observatory was $10/hour. If you park at the theatre, you will need to hike up to the observatory. From the outside, this is a beautiful place especially at night when it's lit up. You also get a great lit up view of downtown LA. During the day you can see the Hollywood sign. When we went, we could make out the Hollywood sign but it was not lit up so it was hard to see. The inside is also an amazing place to learn and interact with the different displays. There are multiple levels and many displays about the solar system and weather. We didn't get to spend much time here before it closed but will definitely be back to visit.

Ira Zuniga

Awesome place.. take an Uber or Lyft to avoid the parking. Restrooms are clean and employees very helpful. Lots of folks at night so bring your patience. Close enough to HOLLYWOOD SIGN and great sunset plus night view of LA is beautiful. Plenty of security working the area..

Dr. Yasmin Kottait

Oh my god this place is amazing! Can easily spend an entire day sitting and soaking the beautiful view and touring the observatory. I loved especially knowing more about the sun, the moon and checking the telescopes out. I am sure this would be heaven for astronomy lovers. Absolutely recommend this place. Parking is a bit difficult to find so plan well. Hiking is amazing as well.

Dillon Swartz

Great place yo walk , stretch out and see the whole of LA strecthing before you

Leguiz USA

I found parking about 4 or 6 blocks from th Observatory so, we had to walk, it was a beautiful night so, it was a good deal and it was worth it. Very nice view

J C

Fantastic bit of science and history with beautiful views of the city. Only downside being some of exhibits did not work correctly (the demonstration of the telescope did not move when buttons were pushed). Shows in the planetarium or theater are engrossing and informative well laid out at a respectable cost. Beware parking costs about 10 dollars an hour and is thoroughly enforced. Alternatively you can park below and hike about a mile to the observatory. Would surely recommend visiting if in the area. If you're in the market for a Tesla use my referral code to get 1,000 miles of free supercharging and a chance to win a Tesla Model Y: jovelle14884 If you're in the market for a Formlabs Form3 printer feel free to use my referral code for $500 dollars off (must call to place order): FORM3-8XCHYT

Heather Simmons

Great views!! We spent hours here, very relaxing place to be and that before we went in the observatory

BORELDA MILA

Must visit when you are in LA. Best time to get there 1 hour before the sunset so you can enjoy night time lights, park the car in the lots before you get to observatory and walk for 15-20 mins. Save yourself from driving around and sitting idle in traffic created by people looking for a spot. Enjoy the breathtaking view ❤️

Garrett Storms

Very nice place to visit. You get to see the Hollywood sign, and their observatory is nice. I recommend to visit during the night, as the telescope will be open and the view is great. Definitely worth to check it out.

Jivan Jadhav

It was closed on Monday but the view of Downtown Los Angeles from there was amazing. Hollywood sign is also visible.

Heather Vina

A great day trip. Beautiful views on a good day. Make sure you check the hours they are open before you go. Some good hiking around the observatory. Don’t always believe the signs about parking being full. You may want to do a drive thru just to see what’s available.

Timmy Roberts

The Griffith Observatory location is fantastic. Such a lovely park and building and easy to get to by public bus, car or ride share. We caught ride share to get there and then the 50c public bus back to the city area. So easy. Loved the interior and interesting information inside. Worth a visit. The view from the hill was fantastic looking all over LA and across to the Hollywood sign nearby too. There is a caffe there also if you need a snack or drink. Great spot. Loved it.