Griffith Observatory is a very iconic and historic landmark for Los Angeles. If there is a post card that shows popular city sights, then chances are you will see a picture of the Observatory along with the Hollywood Sign.
As such, the place is very popular for locals and tourists alike, and even on the most tame of days, you will always encounter large crowds of people. This post will help you plan ahead on when would be a good day to visit – coming straight from an employee who happens to be the author of the article!
Covid-19 Mandates Still Remain via City of Los Angeles – Proof of Vaccination and masks required to enter building as of November 2021
The City of Los Angeles made it a requirement for proof of vaccination to enter the building. While the reader of this may disagree with this ongoing policy, this has been a requirement by the City in order for the building to be open to the public. Would you rather the building be closed or open?
Even as the state of California lifted indoor mask mandates for the most part, the City itself has not, and thus the building still requires them indoors.
There is no update on when the building will no longer require vaccination status.
PLAN YOUR VISIT ON THE DAYS THE BUILDING IS OPEN!
2021 Update – The building reopened to the public in June of 2021 on a limited capacity, only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the time being, There is no word on when the building will be open six days a week like it was before the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic caused the building to be closed for 18 months.
The building is also closed on certain major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas Day and. But it is usually open the day after Christmas and on New Years Day.
It’s ALWAYS CROWDED!
Visitors frequently remark to me how crowded the place gets, and that’s because the Observatory is a very popular destination. On average, it gets 1.5 million visitors a year, which is still a few thousand visitors each day, and that doesn’t include the people who just come up to the lawn and don’t enter the building!
It’s usually the most crowded between 4-6pm, often times an hour before sunset – as people come up to catch the stunning view. But once sunset happens, and the temperatures start to change, a lot of people definitely start leaving for their cars.
“Peak Tourist Season” where it’s more consistently crowded is usually May through August.
What’s the least crowded time? During the middle of the week between Labor Day weekend and Spring Break – with the exception of the 7-10 days around Christmas and New Years.
Nights when the weather is poor (or simply too cold outside for SoCal residents), can also see a significant dip in attendance.
Parking Can Be A Chore If Too Crowded!
I cannot stress enough how frustrating the parking situation can be, even for staff!
Pretty much every negative Yelp or TripAdvisor review is from someone who gave up trying to visit due to the traffic, and even positive reviews say how much they enjoyed the place but hated the parking.
Bottom line is, when it gets too crowded, traffic control is told not let vehicles all the way up top except for buses, rideshares/taxis, handicap, and staff members – frustrating all the eager tourists who can’t find a spot.
Try to plan your visit for a time when parking won’t be such a chore (such as not around rush hour!).
Keep reading on to find alternatives that will make your parking and visit much easier!
The Building Is Still Free, But Parking Isn’t.
As per Griffith J. Griffith’s will, the building itself, the exhibits, and viewing through telescopes is still FREE (minus the planetarium shows, cafe, and gift shop)!
But…
Fairly recently, the city installed paid parking meters in the parking lot up top and along W Observatory Road, even if you try parallel parking further down. I’ve seen the rates as low as $4/hour during the “off season” and as high as $12/hour during peak tourist season. This is done to combat the congestion near the top and to keep cars moving.
Remember that it’s a one way road, and if you do make your way up top but can’t find a spot, DO NOT try to park along the east road when you go downhill. Those coned off spaces may look like they are free spots but they are in fact for staff only (or those with a permit). There are signs posted along that road that state this but people still don’t pay attention, and I have seen cars get ticketed.
Don’t Want to Pay For Parking? Use These Alternatives!
The Observatory knows the parking situation is hectic and frustrating. Thankfully there are plenty of other ways to visit, and they can save you lots of money in the process!
- When The Greek Theater nearby is not in use, their larger parking lot is free, and the DASH picks up passengers by the Greek. Always check and try to visit on a day when there is no concert.
- If there is a concert, then the parking lots cost money and only accept cash. If you still plan on spending many hours at the observatory, this option can still save you a few bucks versus using the parking meters.
- Uber, Lyft, Taxi’s, and other Rideshare services will be able take you to the top. They are busy at this location, so finding a ride for your return trip shouldn’t be a problem.
- The DASH (Downtown Area Short Hop) Bus Service has a special “Observatory Route” that begins and ends at the Vermont/Sunset Red Line Metro Station, and usually drops people off at the Observatory every 20-30 minutes. One way trips cost $.50 per person – just have exact change or use an LA Metro card.
- DON’T try parking at the Barnsdall Square Shopping Plaza. Reportedly, they are looking to tow away cars if people leave their lots, and even worse, there are horror stories of shady business owners towing cars even if you’re spending money there!
- There is free parking near the bottom by Ferndel Dr/ Western Canyon Road – but the lot closes after sunset. Park here if you don’t mind the hike.
Advisory – DON’T Try to Visit During the December Holidays
Do not assume that “everyone will stay home for the holidays.” You need to realize that almost everyone is on vacation from mid December through New Years, and has the same idea you have (and think people are staying home)! The place gets PACKED, like STUPID PACKED!
Imagine taking almost an hour to go up from Los Feliz Blvd up to the entrance of Griffith Park, only for you to be directed away because every parking lot, including the Greek, is full. The congestion makes it difficult for the DASH and even staff members to get up. You have been warned!
Advisory – July 4 is NOT Recommended Either!
On this holiday around nightfall, many locals climb up the hill in droves to get a view of many random Angelenos launching their own fireworks all over the city.
While the sight of the fireworks is impressive, it’s not fun for crowding issues or observing. They install flood lights to assist people walking up and down the hill, and the roof can get closed off, making it difficult for those who actually want to visit the Zeiss Telescope.
DO NOT Bring Your Drones!
Per city ordinance, the observatory, and all of L.A. city parks are “No-Drone Zones.” If a park ranger catches you, you will be cited or possibly arrested! As soon as one is spotted, rangers are contacted over the radio, and an effort will be made to search for the drone operator.
Leave Your Cigarettes or E-Cigs In the Car!
As the entire Griffith Park is a no smoking zone, smoking is strictly prohibited inside and outside the building, on the lawn, and in the parking lots! No, you can’t vape either!
This is especially critical because of the fire danger in Griffith Park during the dry months, and as recent as July 2018, we’ve had some close calls! If a ranger catches you, the fines are steep!
Remember, There’s THREE Floors (And a Roof)! Stay a while!
Many tourists visit the building and go inside the main historic floor, yet don’t bother to check out the other two floors below – making the bottom two levels seem empty in comparison. There’s also restrooms on each floor, so if the top floor restrooms have long queues, go downstairs! Don’t miss out on the theater, exhibits, cafe, and gift shop down below!
The roof is also open to the public as long as the stairs are deemed dry enough for safety reasons. While the historic Zeiss refracting telescope dome to the east is open, the coelostat solar telescope dome to the west is not.
The Weather Is Like A Roulette Wheel. We do not always have clear skies!
It is disappointing when the sky is overcast (thus no telescope viewing), and tourists often ask, “well when is it usually clear?” Well, Los Angeles usually has an average of 284 sunny days per year… the winter months or “wet season” from October through March are more prone to overcast skies than the “dry season.”
While Los Angeles’ “dry season” is from April to October, we still have odd weather patterns. “May Gray/June Gloom” occurs in the spring to early summer and frequently brings overcast foggy skies over L.A. while the Santa Ana Winds bring high pressure systems and dry weather during our “wet season,” often making it too windy for us to operate our telescopes!
Just check your daily weather forecasts! I know it’s heartbreaking when the one day you can visit ends up cloudy or rainy, but we can’t do anything about it!
Yes, You Can Look Through Telescopes (Even The Big One)!
As long as the sky stays clear, all telescopes are free to view and are operated by knowledgeable employees. Between the hours of 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm, you can get in line for either the historic Zeiss Telescope, or for the portable telescopes set up on the lawn. The line for the Zeiss dome is always going to be longer, but the portable 11″ Schmidt Cassegrains on the lawn are actually capable of the same views as the 12″ Zeiss.
Museum guides on the roof do warn you and encourage people not to set themselves up for heartache, but Once 9:30 pm hits, the doors to the Zeiss dome close, and you will not be allowed in. Telescope lines on the lawn also close around this time and don’t let more people in. “Oh, but we came all the way from {that far away place}…” Sorry, we’ve heard it all – I could get in trouble if I bend the rules!
All telescopes must be put away by a certain time. The Observatory and Griffith Park has strict rules about closing procedures, as….
Closing Time Means CLOSING TIME!
This is not a place that allows people to stay inside and explore after closing time. PA systems will frequently announce that closing time is approaching, and once 10 pm hits, staff WILL force you to leave. Rangers will be making sure people outside are making their way to their cars or to the bus stop.
The entire park closes at 10 pm, and nobody is allowed to wander the grounds after closing! Please… don’t try to visit or stay after hours!
ORION BEAR ASTRONOMY 