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Sight Griffith Park, Los Angeles

Griffith Observatory

A sight in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, free to visit and worth about 1.5 hours. Best time to go: Sunset.

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Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park, Los Angeles
Photo: Matthew Field · CC BY 2.5 · license

Why go

Free observatory with Hollywood Sign and downtown views from the terraces.

It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Los Angeles, alongside 4 sights, 2 places to eat and 1 activity. 2 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Griffith Observatory and Griffith Observatory.

Type
Sight
Neighborhood
Griffith Park
Price
Free
Time needed
1.5 hr
Best time
Sunset

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 6 beyond Los Angeles. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Griffith Observatory

    Free observatory with planetarium shows and views of the Hollywood Sign and city lights.

    Sight · Hollywood · 0.0 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Griffith Observatory

    Art deco observatory on Mount Hollywood with free telescopes and the classic night view over the downtown towers.

    Sight · Downtown Los Angeles · 0.0 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Lake Hollywood Park

    Grassy park with one of the closest street-level views of the Hollywood Sign.

    Outdoors · Hollywood · 1.6 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Amoeba Music

    Enormous independent record store for vinyl, CDs and films.

    Shopping · Hollywood · 1.8 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Good Times at Davey Wayne's

    1970s-themed bar entered through a fridge door, with a backyard patio.

    Drinks · Hollywood · 1.8 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    The Hotel Cafe

    Intimate singer-songwriter venue that launched many acoustic careers.

    Drinks · Hollywood · 2.1 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Griffith Observatory is a stop on our Pacific Coast Highway route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More sights to see in Los Angeles

4 more curated sights in Los Angeles. See the full Los Angeles guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Los Angeles run from 66°F in December to 90°F in August; February is usually the wettest month. For Griffith Observatory itself, we suggest: Sunset.

Modelled monthly averages for Los Angeles from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Los Angeles weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Griffith Observatory, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Coordinates
34.11843, -118.30039
Destination
Los Angeles, California
Website
griffithobservatory.org

Griffith Observatory: quick answers

How much time do you need at Griffith Observatory?

Plan on about 1.5 hours at Griffith Observatory. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Griffith Observatory?

Our pick: Sunset. Insider tip: Go for sunset; parking fills, so use the DASH bus from Vermont/Sunset.

Is Griffith Observatory free?

Yes, we list Griffith Observatory as free to visit. Check the official website before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Where is Griffith Observatory?

Griffith Observatory is at 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA, in Griffith Park. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Griffith Observatory?

Griffith Observatory appears on Pacific Coast Highway, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Griffith Observatory to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Los Angeles.

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Also in Los Angeles

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.