Getting Here - Griffith Observatory - Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos! (2024)

FAQs

Getting Here - Griffith Observatory - Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos!? ›

The easiest option to visit the Griffith Observatory or to hike to a view of the Hollywood Sign will be to use public transit, the DASH Observatory shuttle, which is available 7 days a week, Everyday – 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. *The bus runs on Mondays, even though the Observatory building is closed.

The easiest option to visit the Griffith Observatory or to hike to a view of the Hollywood Sign will be to use public transit, the DASH Observatory shuttle, which is available 7 days a week, Everyday – 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. *The bus runs on Mondays, even though the Observatory building is closed.

How long will it take? People on average spend 2 hours here, the planned atrium shows are 30-40 minutes long. You can easily spend 30 minutes or more walking around the grounds.

Everyone is Welcome. Griffith Observatory is a free-admission facility located on the south side of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. The building and grounds are accessible for all visitors. The building is busiest on weekends, during summer and holiday periods, and at sunset.

Parking at the Griffith Observatory will cost you about $4 an hour; this rate subject to change as per any official updates and usually increases during peak seasons and holidays. Griffith Observatory parking cost at private garages and lots nearby ranges from $10 - $20 a day.

If you are traveling with lots of luggage, prefer your own shuttle, or plan to travel with companions, a non-stop shuttle runs at approximately $77. Estimated Shared-Ride Cost: $19 USD without tip. Estimated Non-Stop Shuttle Cost: $77 USD without tip. Pros: Shared-ride is the most affordable option and eco-friendly.

The DASH Observatory Bus runs every 20 minutes Monday through Friday from noon to 10 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Board at the northeast corner of Vermont/Sunset. DASH fare is $. 50 if you pay cash, or $.

There are paid parking lots near the observatory. That's another reason that the best time to visit Griffith Observatory is during a weekday morning or early afternoon. Avoiding crowds is a great life hack while traveling!

Admission to the Observatory building, the grounds, and the public telescopes is always free. There are fees for parking and ticket costs for the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Taxis and Shared Ride Services (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

Griffith Observatory is the place to be beautiful views of the LA skyline. While views of LA are incredible during the day, they are nothing closer to what vacationers are subjected to at night. LA is popular for its vibrant nightlife.

Where can I park at Griffith Park for free? ›

Where is the Griffith Park parking lot? You'll find the Section 9 Parking lot at Fern Dell Drive on the South West side – parking here is free but not allowed after sunset.

I'd recommend setting aside about an hour to explore the interior exhibits, maybe only 30 minutes if you just want to breeze through.

Parking at Griffith Observatory

If the main lot is full (which happens often), your best bet is along West Observatory Road and Western Canyon Road. However, depending on how crowded it is, you may end up parking a ways away down the hill.

Reservations are required. For information and reservations call (213) 485-7611 or (818) 246-5613.

There is a large lawn in front of the Observatory you can picnic on if you want or various steps / ledges, etc. you can probably sit on and eat. At the bottom of the road just off Los Feliz Blvd. , before you start the drive up the hill to the Observatory, there are grassy picnic areas near the Greek Theatre as well.

Griffith wanted the public to have the opportunity to look through a telescope, which he felt might broaden human perspective. Mounted in the copper-clad dome on the east end of the building is the Zeiss telescope array. This telescope is free to the public every night the Observatory is open and the sky is clear.

Save with AAA

If you're a member of AAA, you can get a special SuperShuttle discount code good for 10% off. To redeem your discount, all you have to do is enter your AAA member number when checking out.

How much should I tip? The amount of tip provided to the driver is generally at the discretion of the passenger. In most cases and for convenience, a default 18% tip will be added to the base fare and is clearly displayed in the payment details on the checkout page.

You have options, but, soon, not Supershuttle. The letter to the franchisee cited “a variety of factors” for the company's closure, “including increasing costs and changes in the competitive and regulatory landscape” that “have called into question the economic and operational viability of the company's operations.”

The South City Shuttle provides free service around South San Francisco Monday through Friday (except certain holidays), with trips to local stores, senior center, libraries, city hall, and parks. The shuttle provides transit connections with SamTrans and BART. This free shuttle is open to the general public.

How much is the dash bus in Los Angeles? ›

Visiting Griffith Observatory is completely free for all to enjoy. If you're wondering how to find parking, there is an option for paid parking in the Observatory parking lot on either West Observatory Road or Western Canyon Road. You can approach pay stations and pay parking fees to park your vehicle.

Taking photographs must not interfere with or displace other Observatory visitors or their access to, or use of, the Observatory and its grounds or with Observatory staff or activities. Photography is never permitted inside the theaters or in the Zeiss telescope dome.

Night hiking is the best way to avoid the hot summer sun or to unwind after a day's work. It's even better if you can catch a sunset view above Los Angeles. Lucky for us, there are plenty of accessible and relatively quick easy options located in Griffith Park.

Griffith Observatory's three solar telescopes bring the Sun directly to visitors in the west rotunda of the Ahmanson Hall of the Sky. On clear days, each of these telescopes provides a different real-time view of our local star, including sunspots and solar flares.

Griffith Observatory is one of the only major facilities in the world that still produces exclusively live planetarium shows. Over 100,000 shows have been presented since the building opened in 1935.

According to AllTrails.com, the longest walking trail in Griffith Park is Ferndell Trail to the Hollywood Sign.

Can you walk around Griffith Observatory if its closed? Even when the observatory is closed, you are still able to go around the entire structure and take in the scenery. You'll get the finest view of the Hollywood sign if you wear sneakers or hiking boots and follow a route that ascends just a short distance.

The Once and Future Griffith Observatory

Show Length: 29 min. 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

Although hundreds of films, television shows, and commercials have used the picturesque surroundings of Griffith Observatory, none have featured the building more prominently or brought as much international attention as the Warner Brothers production of Rebel Without a Cause in 1955.

Can you use an Observatory during the day? ›

Planetary observation

Telescopes can be used during the day to see a few planets, mainly Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus. The best time to view these planets is usually in the early morning or evening. Since the sky is so bright during the day, the main challenge is to find where the planets are located in the sky.

The Griffith Park Old Zoo Loop is popular and relatively easy to navigate the trail. So this is a great hiking trail for beginners or those who just want to take it easy.

No. Food and drinks are not permitted in the building.

This loop is about 1.75 miles long with an elevation gain of 610 feet. Dogs are allowed if leashed but can't come into the observatory. If you want a longer hike, there are many choices.

The total budget for an observatory can range from $50,000 to more than $500,000, depending on how technologically advanced the equipment and the size and complexity of the structure.

With over 4,210 acres of both natural chaparral-covered terrain and landscaped parkland and picnic areas, Griffith Park is the largest municipal park with urban wilderness area in the United States. Situated in the eastern Santa Monica Mountain range, the Park's elevations range from 384 to 1,625 feet above sea level.

Check out this 2.6-mile loop trail near Universal City, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 23 min to complete.

It has been compared to Central Park in New York City and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, but it is much larger, less tamed, and more rugged than either of those parks.

“The decision to reduce the number of vehicles speeding through the park is a good step toward preventing the next needless traffic violence tragedy.” Griffth Park Drive is closed to cars from the Travel Town Museum to Mt. Hollywood Drive (noted in orange).

Griffith Observatory is the place to be beautiful views of the LA skyline. While views of LA are incredible during the day, they are nothing closer to what vacationers are subjected to at night. LA is popular for its vibrant nightlife.

Is the Golden Gate shuttle free? ›

The free Golden Gate Park shuttle operates seven days a week. Newly expanded shuttle service includes a route from Haight and Stanyan streets, along JFK Drive, to Transverse Drive, with stops along the way at some of the park's most popular attractions.

Can you walk around Griffith Observatory if its closed? Even when the observatory is closed, you are still able to go around the entire structure and take in the scenery. You'll get the finest view of the Hollywood sign if you wear sneakers or hiking boots and follow a route that ascends just a short distance.

WALKING NORTH: Stop at the rest area at the north end of the Bridge, which is called “Vista Point.” You can then call Uber or Lyft, or call a taxi and say, “Please pick us up at the Vista Point parking lot in Sausalito by the Golden Gate Bridge.” You can even schedule in advance the time when they will pick you up, but ...

A: All Golden Gate Bridge tolls are collected electronically, in the southbound direction into San Francisco. You can conveniently pay your toll with a FasTrak Account, License Plate Account, a One-Time Payment, or a Toll Invoice.

So once you're in your place and the car is moving, you'll be asked for your fare (cash, ticket or pass). Exception: if you're getting on at one of the cable car turnarounds at Powell & Market, Hyde & Beach, or Bay & Taylor, you have to have a ticket or pass before you board (if it's between 8 am and 5 pm).

Adults: $3.00 (Clipper card/MuniMobile: $2.50) Seniors: $1.50 (Clipper card/MuniMobile: $1.25) Anyone under 19 years of age rides buses and streetcars free (not cable cars).

Griffith Park parking fee ranges from $4 an hour to $20 a day, on average. Private garages and parking lots near the park will charge about $10 - $20 daily, while metered parking near the Griffith Observatory is $1 per hour. Griffith Park parking hours and rates can vary during holidays and peak seasons.

Los Angeles city officials voted unanimously Thursday to permanently close the section of roadway as part of an effort to improve safety for cyclists, runners, hikers and equestrians.