Griffith Observatory - Los Angeles (CA)

5 /5 Christina Gleason: Parking was a nightmare, and though theres no entry fee, we essentially paid $60 to get in as parking fees. We had to drive around the mountain several times before an accessible parking space opened up, as street parking was completely inaccessible with the climb and no sidewalks for wheelchair users. However, once inside, we had an amazing time. We attended all the free talks and demonstrations, and we paid for two planetarium shows. The staff members were talented and knowledgeable, and I was happy to realize that more presentations were given by disabled staff members than not. The only inaccessible thing was the old telescope, which was obviously built before anyone ever considered that anyone would need to get up there in a wheelchair. But since I am an ambulatory wheelchair user, my husband carried my chair up the three steps to get in while I used my cane to get up them. Other visitors were kind enough to let me go ahead of them, and I used my cane to climb the several steps to look through the old telescope. If you are unable to navigate a few stairs, unfortunately you wont be able to do this. But everything else is completely accessible, and staff members were happy to get us in and out of elevators for planetarium access. We had a wonderful day at the Observatory. I highly recommend it to people of all ages and abilities. Check their programming schedule online ahead of time to best plan your visit!

5 /5 David G: Great place to visit. Its a must see place when you visit Los Angeles. There are great views from outside, including views from the roads around the observatory. Parking can either be easy or difficult (all parking spots filled) depending on the day and the time, but its worth the time to find a parking spot, and walk around and get photos of the views.

5 /5 Robert Gailie: Beautiful location with great overlooking views. This is also a great place to see the Hollywood sign from a distance. You can snap photos of the sign. The walk around the exterior of the observatory is nice. There are bathrooms on site. The parking is paid street parking but if you go there before the observatory is open you dont have to pay. There is a ton of hiking trails in the hills but we didnt get a chance to hike them. There are also the cool wings to get a good photo opportunity with the Hollywood sign in the back.

5 /5 Marc Meier: Absolutely stunning views of Los Angeles! The Griffith Observatory offers breathtaking panoramas of the city skyline, the Hollywood Sign, and even the Pacific Ocean on clear days. Its a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience one of LAs most iconic sights. However, be prepared for expensive and sometimes challenging parking. The parking lot near the Observatory charges $10 per hour, and spots can be hard to find, especially during busy times. If you want to save money, consider parking further away (like at the Greek Theatre lot when there are no concerts) and either walk or take the shuttle up for a small fee. Despite the parking situation, the incredible views and the experience at the Observatory are absolutely worth it!

5 /5 Sam: Griffith Observatory is a must-visit if you’re in LA. The observatory itself is very informative, with a lot of interesting exhibits, but the location is what really makes it special. You get beautiful views of the Hollywood sign, and the short hike up to the observatory adds to the experience if you’re up for it. They also have convenient shuttles from the parking lot to the top, which makes it easy if you don’t want to hike. The architecture is stunning — the painted ceiling inside is a definite highlight, and the roof and portico are equally beautiful. It’s a great mix of science, history, and some of the best views in the city.