Visitors may drive directly to Griffith Observatory and park in its parking lot or on the adjacent roads. As always, there is no admission charge to enter the Observatory building and no reservation is required to visit. Parking is always free.

Griffith Observatory is located at:
2800 East Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(213) 473-0800

This address can be entered into GPS or mapping programs to get to the Observatory. There is also a map below for quick reference.

To the extent possible, visitors are encouraged to carpool, organize bus trips, hike, cycle, or even take a taxi. Observatory traffic staff will be on hand to help keep traffic moving through the park, preventing gridlock if the Observatory's parking lot and adjacent roads become full.

VEHICLE PARKING: Parking at the Observatory remains very limited; there was simply no unused room on the hilltop and roads to add additional parking spaces. The busiest times are usually on weekends. Please be aware that there may be an uphill walk to the Observatory from some of the parking available along the roads.

Note:  The Greek Theatre season runs from April-October.  Heavy traffic on concert nights may affect how quickly you are able to reach the Observatory. A northbound lane on Vermont Avenue is always open for Observatory traffic to bypass those trying to park at the Greek. For the schedule of Greek Theatre shows, please click here.

DISABLED PARKING: The Observatory has designated disabled parking spaces for those with official plates and/or placards. To access these spaces, please approach the checkpoint in the parking lot and speak with the traffic staff. Disabled access shuttles coming to the Observatory will be passed through at all times (even when the parking lot is full) and will drop off at the horseshoe driveway in front of the building. Such shuttles may not park at the Observatory.

GROUPS AND TOURS: Visitors are encouraged to arrange group trips to the Observatory, whether via school buses, private charter buses, or tour buses. Groups do not need to make any kind of appointment to visit the Observatory nor notify the Observatory in advance of their visit. We regret the Observatory is not able to provide tour guides for group tours or to offer advance ticketing for the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.

Though our formal school program is only for fifth-grade students, we welcome and encourage school groups to visit during public hours of operation. While there is not a formal program for other grades, our knowledgeable and experienced Museum Guides are located around the building to help make your visit successful. We do ask that such groups have sufficient adult chaperones (1 adult for every 10-12 students) and that the chaperones actively monitor student activity.

Groups in buses coming to the Observatory will be passed through at all times (even when the parking lot is full) and will drop off at the horseshoe driveway in front of the building. NO buses may park or wait at the Observatory at any time. Buses must leave after dropping off passengers and return when they are ready to pick up visitors; there simply is not room at the Observatory for safe parking. There is generally parking available in and around the Greek Theatre, though this is not guaranteed.

PUBLIC BUS SERVICE: The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) operates weekend public bus service from the Vermont/Sunset Metro Red Line station to the Observatory. The LADOT Observatory Shuttle operates every Saturday and Sunday, except holidays, between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and stops in front of the Observatory along the horseshoe driveway every 35 minutes. The fare is 50 cents, 25 cents for seniors and persons with disabilities, and free for small children (4 years and under) and LADOT or Metrolink pass holders. There is NO parking in or around the Metro station. For more information, click here.

Please note that the Observatory Weekend Shuttle WILL run on Saturday and Sunday evenings when there are concerts at the Greek Theatre. However, it is possible that it will be slightly delayed because of traffic congestion. Also, on show nights there will be parking restrictions in and around the Greek Theatre that visitors should be aware of.

TAXIS AND LIMOS: Visitors are welcome to arrive via taxi, limo, airport shuttle, and other similar conveyances. Such vehicles will be passed through at all times (even when the parking lot is full) and will drop off at the horseshoe driveway in front of the building. NO taxis, limos, or other such vehicles may park or wait at the Observatory at any time. Please be aware that Griffith Park inbound gates close each evening at 10:00 p.m. If you are being picked up by a cab or friend, please make sure they are in the park before 10:00 p.m.

HIKING OR CYCLING: Those hiking to the Observatory are encouraged to take one of the hiking trails which originate near the Greek Theatre or Fern Dell. There is public parking near all trailheads. Those cycling to the Observatory should use paved park roads (not the park trails or fire roads) and may park in public spaces around the park. The Observatory has several bike racks for you to lock up your bike while you visit.

RESTRICTED BEHAVIOR. Griffith Observatory is a historic facility which we are trying to preserve for future generations. It is also a very heavily-visited institution which needs to ensure that both visitors and the facility are protected. As a result, we have the following restrictions on visitor activity.

Food and drinks are prohibited inside the building.

Smoking is prohibited anywhere inside or outside the Observatory and anywhere in Griffith Park.

Alcohol is prohibited in the building, on the Observatory grounds, and in the parking lot and adjacent roads.

Balloons are not permitted inside the Observatory.

Skateboards, scooters, and other similar items may not be used in the building or on Observatory grounds.

"Wheelie" children's shoes may be worn in the building, but NOT with the wheels deployed.

Animals are not permitted inside the building, except service animals and service animals in training."

Of course, staff is also authorized to ask any visitor to stop other behaviors which may damage the building or pose a threat to other guests.

POOR MOBILE PHONE RECEPTION: Please be aware that most mobile phones seem to have difficulty getting a clear signal while in and around the Observatory.


DIRECTIONS TO THE OBSERVATORY: Visitors may approach the Observatory via the Vermont or Fern Dell entrances to Griffith Park (see map below). Please note that access via Fern Dell is closed each evening at sunset.



There is no set duration for a visit to the Observatory. Some visitors may stay for an hour, others for many hours. The only real limit is the building's daily operating hours:

Weekdays (Wednesday - Friday)
Open 12:00 noon - 10:00 p.m.

Weekends (Saturday - Sunday)
Open 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Closed Mondays and most Tuesdays

Seeing the Samuel Oschin Planetarium Show

Once you get to the Observatory, we hope you will consider attending one of the live planetarium programs in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Please be aware of the following with regard to admission/tickets for the planetarium.

There are eight shows each weekday and ten shows each weekend day. The schedule of shows can be found here.

Show tickets may be purchased ONLY at the Observatory, only for that day's shows.

Tickets are sold in blocks of 2-3 shows at a time during the course of each day, on a first-come, first-served basis. While there is no way to ensure the ability to purchase a ticket, visiting on weekdays will improve your chances. Tickets for each show are sold until 10 minutes before the start of that show, unless tickets have been sold out prior to that time. For example, tickets for the 1:45 p.m. planetarium show will be taken off sale at 1:35 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased ONLY at the Observatory, either at the Ticket Counter inside the W.M. Keck Foundation Central Rotunda or at the automated ticket machines around the building.

There is a limit of 8 planetarium tickets per transaction. Coming on a tour or other group bus does NOT entitle you to purchase blocks of planetarium tickets.

Once you have purchased planetarium tickets, there will be NO refunds (unless the show is canceled).

FORMS OF PAYMENT: The Observatory accepts credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, and Discover only) or cash in payment for show tickets. We regret we are unable to accept personal, corporate, or organization checks (including those from public institutions).

The planetarium show is not appropriate for children under five years of age. The content, visuals, and sound of the program in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium are likely to be disorienting and/or disturbing for children under five. Children under five will ONLY be admitted to the first show of the day (12:45 p.m. on weekdays, 10:45 a.m. on weekends). This is to ensure a satisfying experience for all visitors. There will be NO exceptions.

There will be absolutely no late admission to the theater. Once the doors have closed, the show is underway and must not be interrupted.

To the extent possible, shows will be presented on the posted schedule. However, it is possible that technical difficulties or required maintenance will cause the cancellation of one or more shows. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Frequently-Asked Questions

Is there disabled parking at the Observatory?
Yes. Those in vehicles with disabled plates or placards may park in the reserved spaces in the Observatory's front lot.

May I bring food or drinks into the Observatory?
No. Food and drinks are not permitted in the building. You may purchase food and drinks at the Café at the End of the Universe.

Are there picnic facilities available?
No. Food and drinks are available from the Café at the End of the Universe.

Is smoking allowed at Griffith Observatory?
No. Smoking is prohibited at all facilities and grounds throughout Griffith Park, including the Observatory's interior, grounds, and parking lot. This is especially critical given the danger of fire in Griffith Park. Park Rangers will be enforcing the rules and the fines are very steep.

May I bring alcohol to the building?
No. Alcohol is prohibited in the building, on the Observatory grounds, and in the parking lot and adjacent roads.

Are pets allowed inside the building?
No. The Observatory does not permit animals inside the building. The only exceptions are service animals and service animals in training. Service animals are those who have been individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. A service animal is NOT a pet.

I lost something at the Observatory. How do I reach your Lost and Found?
Call Griffith Observatory at 213-473-0800, and ask for Lost and Found.

May I bring my skates/skateboard/scooter or any other wheeled toy device?
No. Such items are not permitted in the building or on the Observatory grounds.

How do I learn more about Griffith Observatory?
Explore the Observatory’s website at www.GriffithObservatory.org

How do I obtain more information about Friends Of The Observatory (FOTO)?
Visit FOTO’s website at www.FriendsOfTheObservatory.com Only members of FOTO are able to make advance reservations for shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, among other member benefits.

When did Griffith Observatory originally open?
May 14, 1935.

When did Griffith Observatory close for renovation and expansion?
January 6, 2002.

When did the Observatory reopen to the public?
November 3, 2006.

How much did it cost to renovate and expand Griffith Observatory?
The Griffith Observatory renovation and expansion project cost $93 million. Roughly two-thirds of the funds came from public sources, primarily city, county, and state bond funding. Friends Of The Observatory (FOTO) directly raised nearly a third of the required funds and also participated actively in securing much of the other funding for the project.

When may my school come to Griffith Observatory again?
The Observatory is currently conducting the school program for the 2009-10 school year, which offers experiences for fifth-grade classes in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon, and among the Observatory's exhibits and instruments. The program for this year is essentially full. For more information about the program, click here.

If your students are NOT in fifth grade, you may still bring them to visit the Observatory during public hours of operation. While there is not a formal program for other grades, our knowledgeable and experienced Museum Guides are located around the building to help make your visit successful.

When may I rent space at Griffith Observatory for an event, meeting, or filming?
Use of space at the Observatory requires a clear linkage to/with the Observatory's mission of public astronomy and science. No rentals are possible at any time for personal events (e.g., birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, bar mitzvahs). Please check the website at www.GriffithObservatory.org (under the Contact Us tab) for more information.

When did drive-up access to the building resume?
Public drive-up access to the Observatory resumed on Saturday, November 03, 2007. Reservations are no longer required to visit.

For More Information

If you have additional questions regarding a visit to Griffith Observatory, please call the Observatory's General Information Line at: 1-213-473-0800 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Pacific Time.