Griffith Observatory

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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.

By the 1990s, it was becoming clear to Griffith Observatory management that the building was reaching its visitor capaci...
10/07/2026

By the 1990s, it was becoming clear to Griffith Observatory management that the building was reaching its visitor capacity, and that the building's six decades of operation were showing. Plans for a major renovation were already brewing, but what about an expansion? Perched on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood, the Observatory's Art Deco with both Moderne and Modified Greek influences and a Beaux-Arts influenced plan made an iconic silhouette, so altering any character-defining features was out of the question.

That left underground as the only option.

Most visitors, however, come to the Observatory and don't even explore the lower levels even though there's so much more to see, such as meteorites, a seismograph, and the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater. This photograph shows the Gottlieb Transit Corridor, one of the ways in which you might enter the lower level.

Photo by Jarred Donkersley, Telescope Demonstrator, Jarredpd



Did you know there was a downstairs level at Griffith Observatory?

10/01/2026

Want to know what’s in the sky for the month of October? 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.

The month of October begins with the Moon waning until the New Moon on the 10th. From the 11th onward, the Moon is waxin...
10/01/2026

The month of October begins with the Moon waning until the New Moon on the 10th. From the 11th onward, the Moon is waxing which means its surface is becoming more illuminated. The Moon is full again on October 25th. The Last Quarter is on the 4th, and the First Quarter is on the 18th.

Learn more about the Moon and what's going on in the sky by visiting our website. https://griffithobservatory.lacity.gov/explore/observing-the-sky/

Travel to the farthest reaches of the universe without leaving the comfort of your seat. See one of our live shows in th...
09/28/2026

Travel to the farthest reaches of the universe without leaving the comfort of your seat. See one of our live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.

Photo by Frank Simmons, Lecturer at Griffith Observatory
iPhone XS

Anyone can be an observer, and Griffith Observatory is here to help. Each evening when the building is open, Telescope D...
09/24/2026

Anyone can be an observer, and Griffith Observatory is here to help. Each evening when the building is open, Telescope Demonstrators station free public telescopes on the front lawn and are happy to answer questions about the night sky.

Unable to make it in person? Check out our monthly Sky Report on our website or YouTube page to gain information on what to observe from your own home.

Photo by Jarred Donkersley, Telescope Demonstrator, Jarredpd

UPDATE: Thank you for making these events SOLD OUT! We welcome you to sign up to be notified if spots become available. ...
09/21/2026

UPDATE: Thank you for making these events SOLD OUT! We welcome you to sign up to be notified if spots become available. Visit the link in our bio to join the waitlist:
https://forms.gle/4W1HG8WQXQfmX17y6

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A Hollywood classic and its co-star, reunited. 🎥 ⭐ Rebel Without a Cause returns to Griffith Observatory for two special evenings under the stars!

Enjoy screenings of the film and photo opportunities at its iconic filming locations—plus after-hours access to exhibits, telescopes, and the best views in the city. Each evening features a special pre-screening conversation with members of the Griffith Observatory team, who will explore the film’s Los Angeles legacy.

🎟️ Get tickets at the link in bio or visit obs.la/rebel

Thank you to our Event Sponsor Lagerlof, LLP for helping to make this celebration possible.

Every purchase supports Griffith Observatory Foundation, the nonprofit partner of Griffith Observatory.

Observe and ponder the sky with us! This Saturday, September 19, from 2:00 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. is Griffith Observatory's mo...
09/15/2026

Observe and ponder the sky with us! This Saturday, September 19, from 2:00 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. is Griffith Observatory's monthly public star party, weather permitting.

There will be a variety of telescopes to look through as well as experts to help guide you in your astronomical journey.

For safety and accuracy, the Observatory does not allow the operation of private, unauthorized telescopes on our grounds. Please refer to our website for any other information.

Thanks to Los Angeles Astronomical Society, Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and The Planetary Society for assisting us every month with this event.

Avoid the fuss and take the bus! The LADOT Transit DASH Observatory/Los Feliz line runs until 10:00 p.m.

Photo by LAAS member Scott Basu

In Dark Sky Places, you'll be able to observe this stunning display of space dust and stars comprising the Milky Way in ...
09/14/2026

In Dark Sky Places, you'll be able to observe this stunning display of space dust and stars comprising the Milky Way in person, but Griffith Observatory is here to bring you a sliver of it with this pretty picture.

Photo by Anthony Perkic (Anthony Emerson Perkic), Telescope Demonstrator
Cottonwood Spring, Joshua Tree, California
July 19, 2023

Griffith Observatory is a historical landmark, but some of its history won’t be revealed for another 50 years. On this d...
09/09/2026

Griffith Observatory is a historical landmark, but some of its history won’t be revealed for another 50 years.

On this day in 1976, the L.A. Bicentennial Committee and Griffith Observatory sealed a time capsule filled with a sampling of Los Angeles life. It remained on display to the public since then and now may be seen in Griffith Observatory’s Sunset Portal, ready to greet Tricentennial visitors in 2076. Today is the exact midpoint of the hundred-year wait.

The capsule also part of space history. It’s a repurposed propellant tank from NASA’s 1971 Mariner program and was originally built for a mission to Mars.

What do you think Los Angeles chose to preserve in 1976?
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On this 60th anniversary of the premiere of the original Star Trek, we’re honoring the legacy of not only this seminal s...
09/08/2026

On this 60th anniversary of the premiere of the original Star Trek, we’re honoring the legacy of not only this seminal science fiction franchise but also one of Griffith Observatory’s dearest friends and greatest champions, Leonard Nimoy.

While Leonard is best known as Mr. Spock, he and his wife Susan Bay Nimoy are best known at Griffith Observatory for their generosity and commitment to public astronomy and education.

Without the Nimoys, Griffith Observatory would not be what it is today. When the Observatory undertook a major renovation and expansion in 2002, the Nimoys were the first individual donors to contribute a major gift and helped make the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater a reality.

After reopening in 2006, the theater transformed the Observatory’s programming and education capabilities and continues to anchor public and school events, live demonstrations, and more. Every day, you’ll find audiences watching The Once and Future Griffith Observatory—the free film that introduces visitors to the Observatory’s history, narrated by Leonard—in the very theater that bears his name.

Here’s to Leonard, Star Trek, and the endless curiosity of the final frontier. Live long and prosper. 🖖

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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