INFORMATION
The Griffith Observatory, including the building, grounds, and parking lot, is closed to the public during renovation. The Observatory Satellite facility at the northeast end of Griffith Park and adjacent to the Los Angeles Zoo is open to the public.
The Griffith Observatory has been a major Los Angeles landmark since 1935. It was visited by nearly two million people each year and ranked as one of the top tourist attractions of Southern California. It sits on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood where it commands a stunning view of the Los Angeles basin below. Tens of millions of people enjoyed the view from its balconies and terraces, especially at night.
For safety reasons, the grounds (and some nearby hiking trails) are closed to the public and the Observatory site is a fenced-off hard-hat construction area. There is no public access to the Observtory or its lawn. The trail from the Observatory parking lot up to Mt. Hollywood will be open most days of the construction period, but will be closed on occasion. The Observatory is owned, operated, and financed by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks. It was a gift to the city by Col. Griffith J. Griffith (1850 - 1919), who also donated Griffith Park and the Greek Theatre. The Observatory is a non-profit educational institution whose purpose is to provide information on astronomy and related sciences to the public. It is not a research institution, although from time to time it carries out modest research projects. The Satellite continues the mission of the Observatory for the duration of construction. The history of the Observatory spans more than six colorful decades. Publicity photographs at high resolution are collected on a separate page, and you can take a virtual tour of the Observatory as it existed just prior to closing in 2001. The Observatory is undergoing its first major renovation and expansion. This project will restore and refurbish every system of the Observatory, including the planetarium theater. The planned expansion will more than double the public space in the building while maintaining the classic look and feel. The Observatory closed in January 2002 and will reopen to the public in late 2005. Click here for directions to the Observatory Satellite from nearby freeways. Click here for hiking information in Griffith Park. Click here for information on the very close approach of Mars. Click here for information on school show visits to the Satellite. Click here for information on the Traveling Telescope program which visits schools, churches, libraries, parks, and recreation centers. The annual LADWP Light Festival is held next to the Observatory Satellite from November 20 through December 28. There is no through traffic on Crystal Springs Drive after 5 p.m. on those dates. |
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Mailing Address and Contact NumbersGriffith Observatory Lat = 34°
06' 46.8" N; Long = 118° 18' 5.5" W Dept. Mail Stop 638 |
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Observatory StaffClick here for a list of staff |
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