Griffith Observatory
Free Art Deco observatory perched above LA — the best Hollywood Sign + skyline view in the city.
Distance
8 mi
Drive time
~25 min
Route
US-101 N to Vermont Ave → Vermont Canyon Rd up into Griffith Park
Best window
April–June and September–November for the clearest skyline visibility (June Gloom can cloud the basin in the morning)
About Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is a free public observatory on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, about 8 miles and 20–30 minutes north of downtown LA. Opened in 1935 and remodeled in 2006, it's home to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, public telescopes, and the Foucault pendulum — and it's the single best free overlook for the Hollywood Sign and the entire LA basin. It's the rare LA attraction that's iconic, family-friendly, free to enter, AND has a real reason for adults to keep coming back (rooftop telescope nights, planetarium shows).
Why it's worth the drive
- Free admission and free parking on weekdays during quieter hours — pay only for planetarium shows.
- Best clean line-of-sight to the Hollywood Sign in the city — closer than any other major free overlook.
- Public telescopes are open every clear evening the building is open — the longest-running free public telescope program in the world.
- Samuel Oschin Planetarium — one of the most advanced star projectors in the country (Zeiss Universarium Mark IX).
Things to do
What groups actually do at Griffith Observatory
Hollywood Sign overlook
Walk to the east lawn or the rooftop deck — the sign sits ~1.5 miles away on Mount Lee, clearly visible.
Samuel Oschin Planetarium
Ticketed shows roughly every 60–90 minutes — 'Centered in the Universe' is the signature production.
Public telescope viewing
Free, ~7 PM to 9:45 PM on every clear evening the building is open — Zeiss 12-inch refractor on the roof, plus portable scopes on the lawn.
Hall of the Sky / Hall of the Eye
Free interactive exhibits — the Tesla coil and the Foucault pendulum are the most photographed.
Sunset over LA
The west-facing lawn is the city's signature sunset spot — arrive an hour before sundown for parking.
Griffith Park hikes
Multiple trailheads to the Hollywood Sign (Mt. Hollywood Trail) and Mt. Lee Drive start within walking distance of the observatory lot.
Group + van tips
Driving a 12-15 passenger van to Griffith Observatory
- The road up (Vermont Canyon Rd / Western Canyon Rd) is narrow and switchback-heavy — fine for a Sprinter, but go slowly past the Greek Theatre.
- On weekends and after 5 PM, the lots fill — drop the group at the observatory and circle back, or use the DASH Observatory shuttle from the lower Hollywood/Western lot ($0.50/person).
- Friday and Saturday evenings (especially with telescope nights) are the busiest — arrive before 4 PM to park on-site.
- Vermont Canyon Road northbound closes nightly when the parking lots fill — DASH shuttle becomes the only access.
On-site lots are tight but fit a Sprinter / Transit. Overflow / van parking is at the lower lot near the Greek Theatre with the DASH shuttle.
When to go
Best time to visit
April–June and September–November for the clearest skyline visibility (June Gloom can cloud the basin in the morning). Telescope nights are best on cool dry evenings December–April. Avoid weekend afternoons in summer unless you're willing to shuttle.
Need a van for the trip?
Our LA fleet of 12-15 passenger Sprinters and Ford Transits delivers to LAX, Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), and Hollywood / DTLA hotel doors.
See LA vansPlan your visit
Official Griffith Observatory resources
Griffith Observatory — official site
griffithobservatory.org
Griffith Observatory hours & admission
griffithobservatory.org
City of LA — Griffith Park
www.laparks.org
Discover Los Angeles — Griffith Observatory
www.discoverlosangeles.com
More background
Griffith Observatory FAQ
Is Griffith Observatory really free?
Yes — admission to the building, the grounds, the public telescopes, and most exhibits is free. The Samuel Oschin Planetarium is the only paid ticket inside ($10 adults at last update).
When is the best time to see the Hollywood Sign from Griffith?
Late afternoon through sunset — the sign faces south-southeast and the light is best 60–90 minutes before sundown. The skyline view to the south is best after dark.
Can a 15-passenger van get up to the observatory?
Yes, but the access road is narrow and switchback. Drive slowly past the Greek Theatre. If on-site lots are full, drop the group and use the DASH Observatory shuttle from the lower lot.
Are the public telescopes really free?
Yes — on every clear evening the observatory is open (typically Tues–Sun, ~7–9:45 PM), the rooftop Zeiss telescope and the lawn telescopes are free to look through. It's the longest-running free public telescope program on Earth.
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