Griffith Observatory
Closed Mondays and on Nov. 26, 2026 (the page's only listed special closure).
A city-run observatory on Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles with free exhibits and evening public telescopes, and ticketed live planetarium shows. Closed Mondays.
Ways to visit
Building, exhibits and grounds Open
Closed Nov. 26, 2026.
- What you see
- Exhibits, Groundsgriffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- How
- Walk ingriffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- When
- MonTueWedThuFriSatSunTuesday to Friday noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Mondays and on Nov. 26, 2026. The grounds and roads are generally open the same hours as Griffith Park, 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.Closed: Monday, 2026-11-26Calendar ↗griffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26 · griffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- Booking
- Not requiredFree admission; no booking is described. The page notes the building is busiest on weekends, in summer and holiday periods, and at sunset.griffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- Cost
- FreeFree admission. Access to Griffith Park is free, though there is paid parking closest to the observatory.griffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- Requirements
- Photography: Yes. Photography for personal use is allowed inside and outside the building. Drone flights are prohibited. Food and drinks are not permitted inside the building.
Public telescope observing Open
Weather dependent: viewing runs only when skies are clear.
- What you see
- Groundsgriffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- How
- Walk ingriffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- When
- MonTueWedThuFriSatSunEach evening the observatory is open and skies are clear, usually from about 7 p.m. Demonstrators cut off the line for each telescope at 9:30 p.m. or earlier so viewing ends by 9:45 p.m., before the building closes at 10 p.m.Closed: Monday, 2026-11-26griffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- Booking
- Not requiredFree; no booking is described. Telescope demonstrators guide visitors in observing.griffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- Cost
- FreeFree telescope viewing.griffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- Requirements
- None stated.
Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows Open
- What you see
- Exhibitsgriffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- How
- Timed ticket · about 35 minutesgriffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- When
- MonTueWedThuFriSatSunA live show every 60 to 90 minutes on the days the observatory is open. Weekdays: first show 12:45 p.m., last 8:45 p.m. Weekends: first show 10:45 a.m., last 8:45 p.m. Shows run 32 to 35 minutes. Doors close at show time and latecomers are not admitted.Closed: Monday, 2026-11-26Calendar ↗griffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- Booking
- Required · same day possible · on siteTickets are sold only at the observatory (box office or ticket machines), only for that day's shows, in blocks during the day and until 10 minutes before each show. No online, phone or advance purchases; no refunds unless a show is canceled. Foundation members at the Antares level and above can reserve in advance.griffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- Cost
- PaidAdults (13-54): $12 · Seniors (55 and older): $10 · Students and teachers (ID required): $10 · Foundation members (ID required): $8 · Children (5-12): $8 · Children under 5 (on a lap): freeCash or Visa, MasterCard or Discover; no checks. Parking near the observatory is paid separately.griffithobservatory.lacity.gov, 2026-10-26
- Requirements
- Minimum age: 5+. Not recommended for children under 5, who are admitted only to the first show of each day (12:45 p.m. weekdays, 10:45 a.m. weekends) and must sit on a lap.
About
Griffith Observatory sits on the south side of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park and is run by the City of Los Angeles. The building, its exhibits and its public telescopes cost nothing to enter; the one ticketed item is the live show in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, sold only at the observatory for that day's shows. The building is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed Mondays, and the public telescopes are set up on clear evenings on the roof and lawn.
Owner: City of Los Angeles. Run by: City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.
Getting there
2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA, 90027
The observatory is on the south side of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. Park access is free, with paid parking closest to the building; public restrooms are next to the parking lot.
The pin marks the site itself, not necessarily the entrance (34.11856, -118.30037). Apple Maps directions go to the street address instead. Show on our map · Google Maps · Apple Maps
General information line: (213) 473-0800
Last checked 2026-10-26. Sources are listed below.
Sources
- griffithobservatory.lacity.gov/visit/ · official page · read 2026-10-26For: name; street address; directions; phone and email; Building, exhibits and grounds: open or closed; Building, exhibits and grounds: what you see; Building, exhibits and grounds: kind of visit; Building, exhibits and grounds: days and hours; Building, exhibits and grounds: booking; Building, exhibits and grounds: cost; Building, exhibits and grounds: requirements
- wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityData/Q5759… · Wikidata · read 2026-10-26For: location
- griffithobservatory.lacity.gov/about/department-of-recreatio… · official page · read 2026-10-26For: owner
- griffithobservatory.lacity.gov/explore/daily-programs/ · official page · read 2026-10-26For: Building, exhibits and grounds: days and hours; Public telescope observing: open or closed; Public telescope observing: what you see; Public telescope observing: kind of visit; Public telescope observing: days and hours; Public telescope observing: booking; Public telescope observing: cost; Public telescope observing: requirements
- griffithobservatory.lacity.gov/exhibits/samuel-oschin-planet… · official page · read 2026-10-26For: Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows: open or closed; Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows: what you see; Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows: kind of visit; Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows: days and hours; Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows: booking; Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows: cost; Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows: requirements
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