Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory is a Los Angeles classic, a national pioneer in public astronomy, a valued civic meeting spot, and one of the most popular attractions in southern California. The Griffith Observatory, perched atop a hill overlooking Griffith Park, houses the largest collection of telescopes as well as a planetarium and exhibitions.

The Zeiss telescope, a classic 12-inch refracting telescope that is available to the public, is its crowning treasure. Visitors can use it to stargaze or borrow one of the observatory's portable telescopes to use on the lawn. Throughout the year, the planetarium and exhibit halls host a variety of presentations and educational events, including night sky displays and exhibitions about space exploration. The front lawn is a remarkable sight in all of itself, with a model of the solar system on the walkway and orbital paths marked out in bronze. A large monument honoring six important astronomers, including Galileo and Isaac Newton, is also on display.