
While the observatory closed in 2002 for renovation, it reopened to the public on November 3, 2006, retaining its Art Deco exterior. To date, more than 81 million visitors have visited the Observatory, seeing the stars on clear nights through the Zeiss 12-inch refracting telescope, making this stargazer the most used on Earth.ĭuring World War II, the planetarium was used to train pilots in celestial navigation, and was again used for this purpose in the 1960s to train Apollo program astronauts for the first lunar missions. In its first five days of operation, the Observatory logged more than 13,000 visitors. This informal approach to widespread education has directly contributed to the Observatory’s success. c/o Griffith Observatory 2800 East Observatory Road Los Angeles, CA 90027. The Griffith Observatory overlooks Los Angeles from atop the Hollywood Hills on the eve of the re-opening on Novemin Los Angeles. This 72-year-old Greek Revival landmark on a hilltop in Griffith Park is one of L.A.s most recognizable icons, forever. Griffith’s objective was to make astronomy accessible to the public, as opposed to the prevailing idea that observatories should be located on remote mountaintops and restricted to scientists.
#LA OBSERVATORY FREE#
In accordance with his wishes, admission has been free since its opening in 1935. In his will, Griffith donated funds to build an observatory, exhibit hall, and planetarium on the donated land. Griffith on Decem(that’s right, his first and last names are both “Griffith”). And high on a slope overlooking Los Angeles, the landmark art deco-era Griffith Observatory presents mind-expanding planetarium shows throughout the year.

One of the best vantage points for photos of the sign is the Griffith Observatory, the most visited public observatory in the world seeing over 1.5 million people per year.ģ,015 acres (12.20 km2) of land surrounding the Observatory was donated to the City of Los Angeles by Griffith J. Griffith Observatory is an icon of Los Angeles, a national leader in public astronomy, a beloved civic gathering place, and one of southern Californias. When you think of Los Angeles, California, you think of the famous Hollywood sign that has rested on the side of Mount Lee for decades. The Griffith Observatory is one of L.A.s greatest cultural attractions, offering spectacular views from the Pacific Ocean to Downtown L.A. 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.
