Griffith Observatory: Its History and How to Plan a Visit From Los Feliz

Griffith J. Griffith gave the land for Griffith Park to the city in 1896. In his 1919 will, he set out the purpose, the features and even the location of a public observatory, and he left money to build it. The Observatory's own history traces the building straight from that 1919 bequest to its dedication.

The Observatory was dedicated on May 14, 1935. When construction was finished, it was given to the City of Los Angeles with the provision that it be operated for the public with no admission charge. That promise is why the building is still free today.

At its opening it had the third planetarium in the United States.

After nearly 67 years of heavy use, the Observatory closed on January 6, 2002 for a full renovation and expansion. The $93 million project was a partnership between the City of Los Angeles and the Friends of the Observatory. It reopened to the public on November 2, 2006.

The renovation added the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater.

• The Zeiss telescope. The original 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope, from the 1935 opening. The Observatory says more people have looked through it than through any other telescope in the world.
• Solar telescopes. On clear days, three solar telescopes in the west rotunda show a live view of the Sun, including sunspots.
• Free telescope viewing. The telescopes are free every day and night the building is open and the sky is clear.
• The Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Every planetarium program is led by a live presenter.

Parking near the Observatory is limited and paid, so many neighbors leave the car at home.

• The DASH bus. The DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus runs daily from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station up to the Observatory. Check LADOT's DASH page for the current fare and hours before you go.
• On foot. The Observatory suggests the hiking trails that start near the Greek Theatre or Fern Dell.
• By car. The lot closest to the building is paid and takes cards only. There is no parking at the Vermont/Sunset Metro station.

1. Check the hours on the Observatory's own visit page the day you go. It lists the days the building is closed.
2. Pick a time. The Observatory says it is busiest on weekends, at sunset, and during summer and holidays.
3. Decide how you will get up the hill: the DASH bus, a trail, or the paid lot.
4. If you want a planetarium show, buy tickets when you arrive. Tickets are sold only at the Observatory and only for that day's shows.
5. Leave time for the free telescopes if the sky is clear.

• Planning to buy planetarium tickets online. They are sold only at the Observatory, for that day.
• Bringing a child under five to an evening show. Children under five are admitted only to the first planetarium show of the day.
• Parking at the Metro station. There is no parking in or around the Vermont/Sunset station.
• Counting on a phone signal. The Observatory notes that most phones struggle to get a clear signal up there, so save your plans before you go.

The Observatory pairs well with the rest of the neighborhood. Our guide to free things to do in Los Feliz covers more of Griffith Park, and our history of the Vista Theatre is a good next stop for a night out. You can see what is on this week on the Los Feliz events calendar, and if you host an event in the neighborhood, you can add it for free.

Los Feliz Events is a free community calendar for Los Feliz, Los Angeles, from Rooster Homes™, the Los Angeles real estate brokerage led by Brandon S. Arlington and Sarah Arlington. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in Los Feliz, you can reach out to Rooster Homes™. We are always glad to talk about the neighborhood.