Griffith Park Park

Address: Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA, USA (access points from Vermont Ave, Los Feliz Blvd, and Fern Dell Drive)

Website: https://www.laparks.org/griffithpark

Hours: Park open daily 5:00am-10:30pm; Griffith Observatory hours vary (typically Thu-Sun extended hours)

Admission: Free (park access); paid attractions inside (Griffith Observatory planetarium shows and parking fees may apply)

Griffith Park is a large municipal park in Los Angeles, California, covering roughly 4,310 acres. It is one of the largest urban parks in the United States and contains several major cultural and recreational attractions.

The park offers extensive hiking and equestrian trails, picnic areas, and scenic drives that provide city and mountain views. Key visitor draws include the hilltop public observatory, a municipal zoo, an outdoor music amphitheatre, and multiple small museums and historic sites.

The parkland was set aside as public park in the early 20th century through private donation and municipal development, evolving into a multi-use urban park over decades. Facilities such as the observatory and amphitheatre were added in the 1930s and later, becoming city landmarks.

Griffith Park sits in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains range within the city of Los Angeles, north of Hollywood and approximately 8 miles (13 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

• Size: The park covers roughly 4,310 acres and is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States, with numerous trails and roads.
• Viewpoints: Best viewing points for the Los Angeles skyline and sunset are from the hilltops near the Griffith Observatory and along the trails above the Greek Theatre.

What to See#

• Griffith Observatory: A city observatory and public science center opened in 1935, perched on a hill with expansive views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.
• Los Angeles Zoo: A municipal zoo occupying a sizeable section of the park, home to a broad collection of animals and public education programs.
• Greek Theatre: An outdoor amphitheatre that opened in the early 20th century and hosts concerts and events, set in a bowl within the park.
• Travel Town Museum: A small museum focused on railway history and vintage equipment, located near the travel and picnic areas within the park.
• Autry Museum: A cultural museum dedicated to the American West with galleries and exhibitions on regional history and art, located within the park boundaries.

From downtown Los Angeles take the Metro B Line (Red) to Vermont/Sunset station, then catch the DASH Observatory/Griffith Park shuttle to the Observatory (weekends and some weekdays). Driving: from US-101 exit Los Feliz Blvd east, then follow signs to Griffith Park and Observatory; parking fees apply at some lots.

• Visit early on weekdays for near-solitary trails and unobstructed views of the Hollywood Sign
• Park at the Griffith Observatory parking structure (parking fee applies) and walk up to Griffith Park trails to avoid the long search for street parking
• Take the DASH Observatory bus (Los Angeles DOT) from the Vermont/Sunset Metro B Line station on weekends to avoid driving the steep roads