The world famous Griffith Observatory is a Los Angeles landmark. Situated in Griffith Park, the wilderness located in the heart of the city, at the eastern end of the Santa Monica mountain range and the Hollywood Hills, the attraction occupies a prominent spot and can’t be missed.
History of the Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory opened back on May 14, 1935 and is now one of the world’s most visited public observatories.
The idea for the observatory, built 1,134 feet above sea level, came from Griffith J. Griffith, the Welsh-born American industrialist, who was also behind the establishment of Griffith Park.
Even though Griffith died in 1919, he left behind money to build the Observatory.
It underwent renovation in 2002, closing on January 6 of that year, before reopening to the public on November 3, 2006.
Here are some useful things to know if you are planning to pay a visit to the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.
5 Things To Know Before Visiting the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
Opening Hours and Days
The Griffith Observatory is usually 0pen from Tuesday to Sunday, and closed on Monday. So plan ahead and don’t visit when it is closed if you intend to go inside.
The good news is that the grounds, terraces and sidewalks around the Observatory are open every day. This means that you can still stop by for a picture outside even when it is closed. There are a set of stairs to the right of the Observatory labelled “To Telescope” that you can use to access to rooftop of the Observatory.
Generally speaking, the Observatory is open till 10 pm in the evening. It usually opens earlier in the day on Saturdays and Sundays to cope with the weekend crowds.
Getting to Griffith Observatory
There are many different way to get to the Observatory. The easiest would probably be the DASH Observatory public bus service. This runs from the Vermont/Sunset Metro Red Line station to the Observatory every day, 10 am to 10 pm, even on days that the Observatory isn’t open.
The bus stops at the Observatory every 20 minutes to 25 minutes.
For the more active bodies, it is possible to hike up to the Observatory. Take one of the trails from the Greek Theatre. Check out the trail map here.
For those who are thinking of cycling to the Observatory, they will have to take the West Observatory Road.
Taxi and other ride sharing services can drop off at a drop off point past the Observatory’s horseshoe driveway.
There is paid parking lost available along West Observatory Road, or there is also parallel parking available on Western Canyon.
One tip is that that visitors can park for free at the Greek Theatre on non-show days but they will then need to hike the estimated 1.6 miles up to the Observatory.
What’s Inside Griffith Observatory and Entry Fees
The good news is that it is absolutely free to visit the Griffith Observatory. This was as per the will of Griffith J. Griffith.
When you arrive at the Observatory, you will be greeted by a monument that celebrates six famous astronomers. And if you look at the base of the monument, you will notice that there is a design pattern of a star on the ground.
What can you expect inside the Griffith Observatory?
You look forward to exhibits that span three levels. It is a portal to the cosmos.
Immediately inside is one of the original exhibits from 1935, the Foucault Pendulum.
The observatory is divided into six sections: The Wilder Hall of the Eye, the Ahmanson Hall of the Sky, the W. M. Keck Foundation Central Rotunda, the Cosmic Connection, the Gunther Depths of Space Hall, and the Edge of Space Mezzanine.
The exhibits on display cover astronomical tools such as telescopes, heavenly objects like the sun and moon, the history of the universe and the planets of the Solar System. There are also meteorite displays and an asteroid impact simulator.
One of the most interesting displays is the Tesla Coil. It does a show every hour.
The Observatory has solar telescopes that allow for a real time view of the sun in the west rotunda. You can observe phenomena such as sunspots and solar flares.
At the lower level, there is a Leonard Nimoy Horizon Theatre.
Located at the east end of the building, inside the copper clad dome, is the Zeiss telescope used for nighttime viewing.
The viewing through the Zeiss telescope in the evening starts at around 7 pm and is guided by telescope demonstrators. The line for viewings usually cuts off at 9.30 pm as the viewings end by 9.45 pm each evening.
While it is free entry to Griffith Observatory, fees do apply to enter the Samuel Oschin Planetarium in the building.
The 290-seat Samuel Oschin Planetarium offers live shows told by a storyteller. These take place every 60 minutes to 90 minutes each day. You can find out what’s on at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium here.
Griffith Observatory Sky Report
If you’re wondering what there is to see each month, the Observatory releases a Sky Report for each month. This outlines the movements of the planets and highlights any special events that will be occurring during the month.
What Not to Bring to the Observatory
While you may be excited about your visit to the Griffith Observatory, there are a few rules to take note of and to follow.
Firstly food and drinks are not allowed in the Observatory building. However, there is an Observatory’s Cafe at the End of the Universe, an homage to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, on the lower level where you can get something to eat.
There is both indoor and outdoor seating at the Cafe at the End of the Universe. The outdoor Sunset Terrace offers a view of Los Angeles city and the Hollywood Sign. You can even see out as far as Santa Monica.
Take note that alcohol, smoking of any kind, skates, skateboards, scooters and pets (beside service animals) are not allowed into the Observatory building. Kite and drone flying are also not permitted on the Observatory grounds.
Visiting Griffith Observatory
Now you know these essential things for your visit to Griffith Observatory, have a great time visiting this Los Angeles landmark.
Where: 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027
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