Los Angeles, United States1-2 hoursSunset
Griffith Observatory
Ideal: Ideal for views, photography, astronomy, city watching, and romantic outings.
It opened in 1935, and donor Griffith J. Griffith's will had one condition: admission would stay free forever — a rule still in place. More people are said to have looked through this Zeiss telescope than any other on Earth. It was never a research facility, but designed from the start to introduce the public to science. Famous scenes from Rebel Without a Cause were filmed here, and a bust of James Dean stands in the garden.
Quick facts
- Built
- 14 May 1935
- Opened
- 14 May 1935
- Architect
- John C. Austin
- Architectural style
- Art Deco
- Elevation
- 346 m
- Heritage status
- Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument
Facts from Wikidata, photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Why go?
- To look down over Los Angeles
- For views of the Hollywood Sign
- To experience the observatory atmosphere and science exhibits
Travel tip
City lights are beautiful in the evening; parking fills up, so arrive early.
