Looking for stunning views of Los Angeles from above? On one of my previous visits to Los Angeles I suggested the wonderful world-class Getty Center. But, if art isn’t exactly your thing and you’re perhaps more into astronomy, or just want to get the views, then Griffith Observatory is definitely your first choice. Close to Hollywood, up the hills of Griffith Park, expect slow traffic and problematic parking, but once you get over all that and you make it to the observatory, you’re in for a real treat. I managed to get there just before sunset on a sunny partly cloudy day and the views were absolutely breath-taking. And it’s all free.
The famous Hollywood sign is clearly visible in the horizon…
The Observatory website has the introduction:
Griffith Observatory is an icon of Los Angeles, a national leader in public astronomy, a beloved civic gathering place, and one of southern California’s most popular attractions. The Observatory is located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, just above the Los Feliz neighborhood. It is 1,134 feet above sea level and is visible from many parts of the Los Angeles basin.
Griffith Observatory is a free-admission, public facility owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks in the middle of an urban metropolis of ten million people. The Observatory is one of the most popular informal education facilities in the United States and the most-visited public observatory in the world (with over one million visitors a year). Griffith Observatory is a unique hybrid of public observatory, planetarium, and exhibition space.
Once you enter the observatory and go on the roof there are panoramic views in all directions…
Location:
Do not miss this when visiting L.A. Definitely one of the highlights of my visit.