Griffith Observatory

The Building and Location

Griffith Observatory sits 1,134 feet above sea level on Mount Hollywood’s southern slope. The Art Deco structure, completed in 1933 and opened to the public in 1935, features Greek and Beaux-Arts elements mixed with Moderne influences. The exterior showcases Greek key patterns and copper domes housing telescopes. Inside, Hugo Ballin’s original 1934 murals cover the rotunda ceiling, depicting how ancient cultures interpreted the night sky through mythology and early astronomy.

The location provides clear sightlines across the Los Angeles Basin. On most days, you can see from Downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean. The Hollywood Sign sits on nearby Mount Lee, making the observatory one of the best spots to photograph the famous landmark. The building opens onto terraces where visitors gather at sunset to watch the city lights emerge below.

Inside the Observatory

Walk through the main entrance and you’ll encounter the Foucault Pendulum immediately. This 240-pound bronze ball hangs from a 40-foot cable attached to the rotunda ceiling. The pendulum swings in one constant direction while the Earth rotates beneath it, taking 41 hours to complete what appears to be a full rotation. A ring magnet gives the ball a small tug on each swing to keep it moving.

The exhibits spread across three levels. The Wilder Hall of the Eye examines how humans observe the universe, from naked-eye astronomy to modern telescopes. The Ahmanson Hall of the Sky focuses on objects visible in our sky—the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars. The lower-level Gunther Depths of Space Hall explores distant galaxies, with meteorite samples you can touch and an asteroid impact simulator showing the effects of space rocks hitting Earth.

The Tesla Coil sits in its own alcove off the main hall. Built in 1910 by aviator Earle Ovington for medical X-ray equipment, this machine transforms 160 volts of household current into 500 million volts. Staff run demonstrations roughly once per hour, when purple lightning arcs fill the Faraday cage surrounding the device. The noise and light show lasts a few minutes before the coil needs to cool down.

Telescopes and Sky Viewing

Two working telescopes occupy the building’s copper domes. The east dome houses the 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope, installed when the building opened in 1935. Over 9 million people have looked through this scope, making it the most-viewed telescope in the world. The west dome contains a triple-beam solar telescope called a coelostat, which projects live images of the Sun onto a white screen.

Free public telescope viewing runs every night the observatory is open. Staff set up portable telescopes on the lawn and open the roof telescope for visitors. You can observe visible planets, the Moon, star clusters, and other celestial objects. Staff members explain what you’re seeing and help adjust the equipment. On cloudy nights, the roof may close, but the Zeiss telescope room stays open as an exhibit space.

The Planetarium Experience

The Samuel Oschin Planetarium seats 290 people under a 76-foot aluminum dome. A Zeiss Universarium Mark IX star projector works with digital laser projection to create the night sky on the dome surface. Unlike recorded planetarium shows, every program here features live narration. A trained presenter guides each 40-minute show, adjusting the pace and answering questions from the audience.

Current shows rotate but typically include programs about the universe’s structure, the search for water and life beyond Earth, and journeys through the solar system. Tickets cost $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and $3 for children ages 5-12. You can only buy tickets in person on the day of the show—no advance sales exist. The box office opens when the building opens, and tickets sell in blocks throughout the day. Shows for children under 5 are restricted to the first show each day only.

Details for Your Visit

The observatory opens Tuesday through Friday from noon to 10 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It closes on Mondays. Arrive at least two hours before closing if you want to see exhibits and catch a planetarium show. Sunset brings the biggest crowds, especially on weekends and holidays.

Parking in the main lot costs $10 per hour with no time limit. Payment machines accept credit cards only. The lot fills quickly on summer evenings and weekends. An alternative is parking at the Greek Theatre lot (free when no show is scheduled) and taking the DASH Observatory bus for 50 cents. The bus runs every 15-20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Food and drinks are not allowed inside the building, but a café operates on the lower level. Restrooms sit next to the parking lot. The entire building and grounds are wheelchair accessible.