Griffith Observatory

The story

Perched on Mount Hollywood's southern face within Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory lies near the heart of greater Los Angeles.^1,5 From that perch, the view sweeps across the Los Angeles Basin, taking in Downtown, Hollywood, and the Pacific Ocean.⁵

Inside, one building blends a public observatory, a planetarium, and exhibition space.² You can look through telescopes, wander the exhibits, and catch a live show in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.^1,2

History

The story begins with Griffith J Griffith, who donated 3,015 acres of his Rancho Los Feliz estate to the City of Los Angeles on December 16, 1896, to create a public park.^3,4 In his will, he left funds and detailed specifications for a public observatory on that land.^3,5

Griffith wanted to bring astronomy to the public at a time when many thought observatories belonged on remote peaks and only scientists should use them.⁵ Construction began on June 20, 1933, following plans by architects John C Austin and Frederic M Ashley that grew from early sketches by Russell W Porter.⁵ First welcoming visitors on May 14, 1935, the Observatory became the third planetarium in the nation.^2,5

The building ran continuously until January 6, 2002, when it closed for a renovation and expansion.² It reopened on November 2, 2006, keeping its Art Deco exterior.⁵ The expansion went underground, adding new exhibits, a café, a gift shop, and the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater.⁵

What to see and do

Here are some of the things waiting for you inside and around the building.^1,5

• Samuel Oschin Planetarium

  Live presentations carry you from the farthest reaches of the universe down to the microscopic building blocks of life.¹

• Exhibits

  Some 60 exhibits invite you to become an observer and share what is known about the sky.¹

• Public telescopes

  The Observatory offers free public telescopes, so anyone can take a turn as an observer.¹

• Zeiss telescope

  The 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope sits in the east dome, and the Observatory says more people have peered through it than through any other telescope on Earth.^2,5

• The Big Picture

  A vast image of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies covers a wall in the Gunther Depths of Space Hall.⁵

• Astronomers Monument

  The monument on the front lawn honors six astronomers and is topped with an armillary sphere.⁵

• Views

  Around the grounds, look out toward the Hollywood Sign, Downtown Los Angeles, and the Pacific Ocean for memorable photos.⁵

Why it matters

Since opening in 1935, it has welcomed more than 85 million visitors.² Over 18 million of them have seen a live program in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.²

Getting there

Perched on the southern face of Mount Hollywood within Griffith Park, the Observatory's address is 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles.^1,2 The Observatory recommends public transit, and walking, cycling, driving, or a ride-share are other options.¹