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Evening

Golden Hour at the Observatory

Arrive at Griffith Observatory just before sunset to catch the city lights flicker on below, then stay for the night sky.

Best time: 17:06About 120 min

Timeline

  1. 15:36

    Griffith Observatory

    Grab a seat on the terrace facing west. The Art Deco building frames the view perfectly as the sun dips below the horizon.

  2. 17:06

    Griffith Observatory

    Watch the sky change color. The Hollywood Sign is visible in the distance as the city lights begin to twinkle in the valleys below.

  3. 17:51

    Griffith Observatory

    Head inside to the planetarium or simply enjoy the cool night air on the grounds. The observatory is a popular spot, so expect some crowds even after dark.

Local tip

The observatory grounds are free, but planetarium shows cost extra. Arriving an hour early ensures you get a good spot on the terrace for the sunset view.

Check before you go

  • Griffith Observatory is closed on Mondays.
  • Tuesday through Friday hours are 12:00-22:00.
  • Saturday and Sunday hours are 10:00-22:00.
  • Parking is $10 per hour.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Los Angeles (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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