📷 Benoît Prieur, CC0Griffith Observatory
Los Angeles, CA
A hilltop observatory above Los Angeles with exhibits, telescopes and a clear view of the Hollywood Sign and the city grid. Come around sunset, but expect a crowded road and consider the shuttle from the foot of the hill.
Griffith Observatory opened in 1935 on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, about 1,134 feet (345 m) above sea level. Admission is free, as its benefactor Griffith J. Griffith intended. According to the observatory, its Zeiss 12-inch refracting telescope has been looked through by more people than any other telescope on Earth, and the Samuel Oschin Planetarium reopened in November 2006 after a major renovation. From here you can see the Hollywood Sign.
With about 1.6 million visitors a year, it is among the most visited observatories in the world. Allow two to three hours. Parking is limited in the evenings, on weekends and on holidays; the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station is easier. The observatory is closed on Mondays (as of October 2026); check current hours on its website before you go.
- Nearest town
- Los Angeles, CA
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 34.1184, -118.3004
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually September–May. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Dockweiler RV ParkMotorhome stopover15 mi from Griffith ObservatoryMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Dockweiler Beach RV ParkMotorhome stopover15 mi from Griffith ObservatoryMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- KOA KampgroundMotorhome stopover22 mi from Griffith ObservatoryMotorhomesWi-Fi
- Thousand Trails Soledad CanyonMotorhome stopover23 mi from Griffith ObservatoryMotorhomes
- Malibu Creek Group Camp SiteMotorhome stopover24 mi from Griffith ObservatoryMotorhomesShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Malibu Creek CampgroundMotorhome stopover24 mi from Griffith ObservatoryMotorhomesShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Griffith Observatory?
Griffith Observatory is in Los Angeles, CA, at GPS 34.1184, -118.3004. It is about 13 mi from Santa Monica.
Can you camp near Griffith Observatory?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Otis Wallace Children's Campground, about 12 mi away; within 25 mi there are 42 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Griffith Observatory?
Places worth a stop nearby: Santa Monica Pier (13 mi), Point Dume (30 mi), El Matador State Beach (33 mi) and Crystal Cove State Park (46 mi).
When is the best time to visit Griffith Observatory?
The most pleasant months are usually September–May. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)