Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory sits on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood overlooking Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. Opened in 1935, it was built with funds donated by Griffith J. Griffith, who envisioned a public observatory where people could learn about astronomy. Its Art Deco architecture and position above the city have made it one of Los Angeles’s best-known landmarks. The observatory’s exhibits explore the Moon, planets, stars and the history of astronomy, with telescopes and hands-on displays throughout the building. Highlights include the Foucault pendulum, the Tesla Coil and the 38-foot-wide image of the cosmos in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. The Zeiss telescope offers visitors the chance to observe the night sky from one of the city’s most iconic viewpoints.