Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory Griffith Observatory is a public observatory with a planetarium and astronomy exhibits. Admission to the Observatory building and grounds is FREE.
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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 mission of Griffith Observatory is to inspire everyone to observe, ponder, and understand the sky. There is a nominal charge to see shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Griffith Observatory is owned and operated as

a public service by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks. Griffith Observatory Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Griffith Observatory’s exclusive fundraising, membership, and advocacy organization. Visit www.GriffithObservatoryFoundation.org to learn how you can support the Observatory and its commitment to education and the community.

Griffith Observatory Director Dr. Ed Krupp often refers to the Observatory as "the hood ornament of Los Angeles," and wi...
09/03/2026

Griffith Observatory Director Dr. Ed Krupp often refers to the Observatory as "the hood ornament of Los Angeles," and with a view like this, it's easy to understand why.

Photo by Michael Faulkner, Lecturer at Griffith Observatory
iPhone 13 Pro

09/02/2026

Want to know what’s in the sky for the month of September? Astronomical Observer, Vanessa Alarcon and Theater Programs Manager, Patrick So have your monthly Sky Report from Griffith Observatory.

For the full Sky Report please visit our YouTube channel. Link in bio.

Your September lunar calendar is here! The month begins with a waning Moon until the New Moon on the 10th. Then it enter...
09/01/2026

Your September lunar calendar is here! The month begins with a waning Moon until the New Moon on the 10th. Then it enters the waxing phase until it reaches the first quarter on the 18th and is full on the 26th.

Please note the Public Star Party on the 19th! More on that to come.

09/01/2026

On the evening of August 27, there was a partial—practically total—lunar eclipse visible from Los Angeles. Despite the clouds, Griffith Observatory offered a live, online telescopic view of the entire eclipse. Here’s a 40-second timelapse of our three-hour broadcast! 🌙

Watch the full stream on our YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/live/TqDDrucjseM?is=kf4zBqbGKF44H12g

Comment below where you saw the eclipse!

Due to heavy clouds and possible rain, the public lunar eclipse viewing event scheduled for tonight (Thursday, August 27...
08/27/2026

Due to heavy clouds and possible rain, the public lunar eclipse viewing event scheduled for tonight (Thursday, August 27) is CANCELED. The broadcast of the eclipse will proceed, but may be limited by visibility.

To watch Griffith Observatory's live broadcast, visit our YouTube channel. Link in bio.

You don't want to miss out on tomorrow's technically partial but practically total lunar eclipse because it's the closes...
08/26/2026

You don't want to miss out on tomorrow's technically partial but practically total lunar eclipse because it's the closest we'll get to a total lunar eclipse until December 2028!

There is a Greek Theatre concert that same night, so plan accordingly. As we like to say: Avoid the fuss, and take the bus! DASH service will run until 11:00 p.m. that evening.

For those unable to make it in person or those living where the eclipse is not visible, Griffith Observatory will bring the eclipse to you on our YouTube channel.

For additional information, please see the event page on our website. Link in our bio.



Who's watching the eclipse with us?

This school year, nearly 30,000 fifth-graders will visit Griffith Observatory for a field trip. 🚌What does this experien...
08/26/2026

This school year, nearly 30,000 fifth-graders will visit Griffith Observatory for a field trip. 🚌What does this experience mean to them? Their own words and drawings say it best.

The In-person School Program includes a Samuel Oschin Planetarium show, a highlight for students and teachers alike. For many kids, it’s their first time in a planetarium or seeing the unobstructed night sky.

Just $10 sends one student to the program for free, planetarium show included. What if everyone who believes in Griffith Observatory gave $10 today? ✨ How many students could we inspire together? Visit the link in our bio to make a donation.

Can you imagine the L.A. skyline without the domes of Griffith Observatory? In the center of this trio is the Samuel Osc...
08/24/2026

Can you imagine the L.A. skyline without the domes of Griffith Observatory?

In the center of this trio is the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Since Griffith Observatory first opened in 1935 and through its 2002–2006 renovation and expansion, it has stood tall, showing millions of visitors the night sky along the way.

If you've ever been one of those visitors, help ensure Griffith Observatory can share the stars to future generations. Donate to Griffith Observatory Foundation to support the Planetarium today at obs.la/donate or learn more at obs.la/summercampaign. Both links are in our bio.

We’re one week away from the partial–practically total but still technically partial–lunar eclipse, and you’ll have the ...
08/20/2026

We’re one week away from the partial–practically total but still technically partial–lunar eclipse, and you’ll have the opportunity to observe it from Griffith Observatory. If skies are clear you’ll observe 96 percent of the face of the Moon is covered by Earth’s shadow. Although telescopes are not needed to view the eclipse, Observatory telescopes will be available until 10:30 p.m.

Not able to make it in person? Watch our live broadcast starting at 7:25 p.m. on Griffith Observatory’s YouTube channel. Link in bio.

Photos by: Tony Cook, former Astronomical Observer, Griffith Observatory
1. Date: April 14-15, 2014
Location: Griffith Observatory
2. Date: October 8, 2014
Tony Cook captured this photo of the total lunar eclipse featuring the planet Uranus on the bottom left corner.

Griffith J. Griffith, the man after whom the Observatory is named, believed that if people could look through a telescop...
08/18/2026

Griffith J. Griffith, the man after whom the Observatory is named, believed that if people could look through a telescope it would broaden their perscpective. Each evening, when the Observatory is open and the skies are clear, you, too, can put your eye to the sky either through the eyepiece of the Zeiss telescope or observe its live feed in the Hall of the Eye exhibit located below the telescope dome.

Photo by Rachel Zimmerman Brachman, Museum Guide, on the iPhone 13 mini

Address

2800 East Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA
90027

Opening Hours

Tuesday 12pm - 10pm
Wednesday 12pm - 10pm
Thursday 12pm - 10pm
Friday 12pm - 10pm
Saturday 10am - 10pm
Sunday 10am - 10pm

Telephone

+12134730800

Website

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