So cool! We are such space nerds - how awesome is it that Griffith Observatory is so close??? One of these days, when my kids can stay up past 7pm, I want to take them back to actually observe the stars. There are many shows and demonstrations throughout the day. Some paid, some not. While my kids aren't quite at the level of making them worth it, they did enjoy the tesla coil demonstration. Other than that, the hits included seeing the pendulum and holding a meteorite! Plus, seeing the huge telescopes. I like how they have an interactive stamp book where we could collect stamps at the different areas of the observatory. It also provided just enough structure to help guide us through the exhibits. Plus, it's full of fun tidbits of information! One of our favorite areas was the planets, where we got to see how much we weighed on each of the other planets while we learned about them and the constellations. There's also a cafe and gift shop inside. I'll say that parking is pretty expensive if you want to park right next to the entrance. There's street parking further down for cheaper, and even cheaper parking if you go further away. Looks like there was also a shuttle bringing people to/from the observatory. read more

See all

A landmark absolutely worth checking out. It's been featured in so many films, and it's not just a pretty backdrop, it's an actual functioning observatory. Great mix of history, science, and iconic LA views, including views of the Hollywood Sign. One thing to plan for: parking. You can either pay for parking or park at the base and hike up to the observatory. Just know that the parking cost increases the closer you get to the top, so weigh that against your time and energy. read more

Griffith Observatory can get very crowded. Went here twice two years apart as part of an organized tour of LA. We did not have to hike going up and parking was not a problem, again because it was an organized tour (our guide/driver remained in the vehicle and dropped us off and picked us up after). Because I was there for only an hour, I was not able to see shows or the planetarium. Exploring the terrace, you'd see the LA skyline as well as the Hollywood sign. Definitely a must visit if you're in LA. read more

Griffith Observatory - LA skyline - Observatories Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The observatory was a great experience even though when we stopped by we couldn't go inside. We were able to explore the outside, take photos, see the "Hollywood" sign, downtown LA, and other things. We will be back to tour the inside. read more

See all

This is a beautiful viewpoint. It's a must visit in LA, considering the cityscape views, the gorgeous architecture and art, and the exhibits are really cool. I spent a little less than an hour here, and I would recommend coming after sundown but giving yourself at least a couple of hours to view the exhibits, visit the telescope (which I was too late for), and walk around. The Foucault pendulum was super cool and we had the concept explained by one of the employees. It blew my mind! But he explained it so well and it was so interesting. read more

See all

One of socal's most popular attractions and also the most visited public observatory in the world, this landmark is a must-visit spot in LA for both tourists and locals. It is a pretty easy and simple hike up to the observatory. In my opinion, the best time of day to visit is during sunset. This is the time when my husband and I always visit, even though it can get pretty crowded. From the terrace, outside the observatory, you can see beautiful views of the city, the LA skyline, and the Hollywood sign. The views are definitely one of the major reasons why this spot is so popular. The scenic overlook is also great for taking nice photos. There are some public telescopes as well, which are great for looking into the sky and potentially seeing some stars and planets. Aside from the stunning viewpoints, the observatory has some interesting exhibits built around the idea of how humans observe the universe. The Samuel Oschin Planetarium is their highlight and centerpiece. You can experience a blend of science, architecture, skyline views, and cosmic perspectives all in one visit. Admission to the building and exhibits is completely free - no purchase necessary. However, parking is not free. Near the observatory are various paid parking lots and metered parking spots with hourly charges. During peak hours, parking could be a struggle, but it's completely worth it for this spectacular experience. I highly suggest wearing comfortable shoes. read more

See all

What's not to love about the Griffith Observatory? The views of Los Angeles are top tier! Excellent to bring your kids or your Boo. Just know that it's gonna take some time to get there- especially if there's an event going at the Greek. I go at least once a year! I usually park down the hill and walk up! The views from the top of the building are my fav but by all means, if you've never been, set aside some time to take in every angle! I usually try and get there a little before sunset! And preferably on clear days.. Oh and make sure to wear comfortable shoes! read more

See all

Visiting from Vegas and my husband wanted to visit the Griffith Observatory. Located in the Hollywood Hills, the Griffith Observatory has everything you want to know about space, stars, the sun, the moon, and the earth as well ! And Oh wow We had no idea that the famous Hollywood sign would be to the north of the observatory! It was such a perfect view . There is also a hiking trail from the observatory to the Hollywood Sign! During evening hours your able to utilize there amazing large telescope as well. There is no admission to get in but you do need to pay if you want to see a show in the planetarium. Also parking is pretty far unless you park on the hill or if you're lucky to find a spot near the entrance . It is $10 hour for parking. There are minimal handicapped parking as well. We had an amazing time and glad we traveled to visit here . read more

See all

If you want to see the iconic Hollywood sign in all its glory, Griffith Observatory is the place to go! One of the best things -- entry is completely free. You can explore many exhibits inside the observatory at no cost. We walked around the ground floor and the lower level, and there's actually a lot to see. There's also a free shuttle bus running every 10 minutes, which is super convenient. You can also get here by car or public transportation. From the hill, you get stunning panoramic views of Los Angeles -- I highly recommend coming before sunset to catch the golden hour and take amazing photos. The view of the Hollywood sign is also very good from here. Inside, there's a café and a gift shop, so you can easily spend a few hours here. Just keep in mind that access inside depends on opening hours: Tuesday-Friday: 12 PM - 10 PM Saturday-Sunday: 10 AM - 10 PM Monday: Closed We've been here several times and highly recommend visiting when the observatory is open inside. If you drive, parking is about $10 per hour. On the way back, I recommend walking down one of the trails -- it's a great experience with beautiful views. Also, if you're planning to hike closer to the Hollywood sign, be prepared: bring water and wear comfortable shoes -- it's about a 4-mile hike. Such an iconic LA spot that's absolutely worth visiting! read more

Griffith Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

The family enjoyed our visit, great place to visit and I would recommend visiting. The scenic views are breathtaking. read more

See all

How often can you have a little pin nic at the griffin observatory? As often as you would like lol lovely day lovely sunset and a lovely pic nic for my friend on the lawn. The observatory is closed during the week but you can still pay $10 for parking and enjoy a stroll or a pic nic :) read more

See all

On my most recent trip to LA, I had a pocket of time that I could get away from the family and do some exploring. Griffith Observatory is one of the most popular attractions in LA on TripAdvisor. And it's a landmark that has appeared in quite a few movies over the years. I stopped by on a Sunday morning. Let's start off with the challenge. If you're down for a long walk, you can get free parking. I am, but I was with my mom, so that was off the table. If you park at the observatory, it's all paid parking. And you have to pre-select the amount of time you'd like to pay for. Which is a bit annoying as it's tough to predict exactly how long it'll take to explore the attraction to the full extent. I did three hours, which worked out, as some parts of the observatory were a no-go since it was a cloudy, foggy, and rainy day. You also have to pay for admission and a surcharge for shows in the planetarium. Now, let's get to the good stuff. The Observatory itself is quite impressive. It's a major observatory with some pretty awesome equipment, artifacts, and more. You learn a lot about astronomy and the Observatory is well laid out. I recommend paying extra to see a show in the planetarium. The one I saw was educational and entertaining. There's a lot to explore and they also have a cafe on the property if you get hungry (I didn't check it out). And here's another highlight...Griffith Observatory is a great vantage point to see the iconic Hollywood Sign. You can find it to the right of the entrance of the Observatory (facing the Observatory). Since it was muggy when I was there, I only had a partial view of the sign. Bad luck, but it was still cool to see it. Despite some of the logistical challenges, and the fact that it's a popular spot, Griffith Observatory is well worth a visit! read more

Hiked to Griffith Observatory as part of my epic Hollywood Hill 22 mile hike. Gorgeous winter day and stunning views. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

Griffith Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Great views of the city and parts of the valley. Great education inside the Observatory Great place to picnic Great place to hike Great place if you want a a laser show in the dome It's just a great place PERIOD DOT! Statue providing home to Newton, Copernicus, Hipparchus, Herschel, Galileo and Kepler stand proudly at the entrance to the Observatory. Also, the Greek Theatre is located at the base of the hill heading up to the Observatory. You could actually make a day and night of your excursion to this area of Los Angeles. Go for the science in the day, theatre in the evening and last but not least head back up to the Observatory for the panoramic view! Been there ! Done that ! and I can't wait to do it again! Go there! or be Square read more

See all

This spot is one of the must go spots of California itself. Granted, it's a public observatory that oversees much of Los Angeles skyline. You'll be flattered if you can find a similar or better view than here. Over the years, this is one of my staples. It's always nice to revisit to get some fresh air, morning hike, or watching the sunset. The observatory itself has plenty of history of scientific discoveries and technology. Highly recommend taking a look at each exhibit and watch the shows. Observatory itself is free to explore which is a huge plus. Parking here is paid, can park outside the observatory, although limited, or can park on the side of the street on the path up to the observatory. Many also park down the hillside and hike their way up, which is quite ideal as well if you like to take a little hike. Parking down the hillside is free. Everywhere can get super crowded, so plan accordingly on your visit. There's also a trail that sets right behind and around the observatory. Many people love to hike on the massive trails that takes hours upon hours. There's plenty of hills that have a lot of incline and can slip at some spots. Make sure to wear proper shoes and gear. Water is advised as well for the long hikes. The view up top is worth the hike for sure! My wife and I love to hike whenever we get the chance here and it's always a fun time to get that hike completed. Overall, a must visit attraction if you're visiting or even a local. The exhibits are great and already looking forward to my next visit with my wife. read more

See all

I love coming here the view is breath taking and it's just a gorgeous place to come and hang out and enjoy the day. Yes parking can be a hassle but once you park and start walking towards those amazing place the view just captivates you. You must see the show, it's the coolest show ever and it literally feels like you're in the sky able to touch the stars and the gentleman narrating the show is captivating himself. I hope you check this place out you won't regret it. read more

See all

Parking is free, there's 3 free parking lots, and less than a half miles to walk to entrance so you don't even need to wait for shuttle. I am not a natural history or astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, etc buff. I am embarrassed to say I dose off back in school, but there's a reason this is one of the top observatory and best public private partnership, has so much to offer. I highly recommend the panorama theatre show if you can catch a showing. They offer a showing every hour or so on weekends but that's one impressive projector and visual experiences. read more

See all

Absolutely breathtaking! Griffith Observatory is hands down one of the best spots in Los Angeles. The views of the city and the Hollywood Sign are unreal--especially at sunset. You can see the entire skyline, and it feels magical once the lights come on at night. Inside, the exhibits are fascinating and interactive, perfect for both adults and kids. The planetarium show was a highlight--super immersive and worth every minute. And the best part? General admission is free, which makes this place even more impressive. The building itself is beautiful, the grounds are well maintained, and there are tons of great photo opportunities everywhere you turn. It does get busy, so I'd recommend coming earlier in the day or closer to evening for golden hour. If you're visiting LA, this is 100% a must-see. Incredible views, great science, and unforgettable atmosphere. Would come back again without hesitation! read more

See all

Nothing beats L.A. after the rain!! My favorite time to come up here and see the city views, truly a sight. Today we were able to see all the way to Catalina island. I came with my kid who had not been here since he was a baby. We explored and had a great time. The parking machines were not working properly, only one of them was actually able to accept payments. $10 per hour, which is a rip off, I remember when it was free lol. But alas, the views today were killer and worth the price. read more

See all

I love the observatory! I come here almost every day to relax and enjoy the views! It's an educational exercise;) read more

See all

If you visit LA, this is a must both during the day or night. For one, it's free! My kids, 4 & 8, absolutely loved t There's a parking lot at the top of the hill that will cost about $10, but the lot is typically full. Most people park at the base of the hill near the Greek theater and walk up the hill. If you're here during the day, bring some snacks and have a picnic on the lawn while you gaze up at the Hollywood sign. If you come at night, be prepared for amazing views of LA LA Land, but not of the Hollywood sign as it's not lit up at night. On certain days, guests get the opportunity to use the telescope and see some real stars. There will be a wait, but it's worth it! Inside you'll find exhibits and historical info on the observatory itself. They also host numerous events, science demos, and screenings at the Observatory, most of which are kid friendly! Check their website to see what's coming up next. read more

Just celebrated its 90th year since the Griffith Observatory first opened in 1935. This free venue is a great place to visit, especially on one of the Public Star Party days. Once a month they throw a free lawn gathering with star gazers who bring their own personal telescopes that everyone can look through. Check the website calendar for the dates and times. We got to see the sun, and the moon through those. Just note they're closed on Mondays. While admittance is free, the street parking costs $10/hour. And you'll need 3 hours, or you'll run out of time. Also watching the dome show at their planetarium costs $10 a ticket, but slightly cheaper if you're a senior, a teacher, or student. There's a gift shop, and a small cafe, although that cafe has insanely inflated prices. It does have a great view though. This whole place went through a remodel in the early 2000's that took years, so if you haven't been since before then, it's definitely time to re-visit! read more

Griffith Observatory - Entrance - Observatories Near Me - Los Angeles, California

While in Los Angeles, a must-see is the Griffith Observatory. Located in the Hollywood Hills, the Griffith Observatory is a beautiful campus that features everything you want to know & see about space, the stars, the sun, the moon, & even the 4 seasons! Also, there are lookout points outside where you can see the city of Los Angeles to the south & the iconic Hollywood Sign to the north. Also, there is a hiking trail from the observatory to the Hollywood Sign. During the evening, you can look inside the big telescope located upstairs inside the observation room in the observatory. You can take all the pictures you want, especially if you want some of the Hollywood Sign. TIP: Parking costs $10 an hour at the observatory & if you don't want a long walk, get there early to find a good spot. read more

Griffith Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Griffith Observatory is one of those rare Los Angeles experiences that truly feels special--and the fact that general admission is free is incredible. In a city where almost everything comes with a price tag (especially parking), it's refreshing to have such an accessible and iconic spot open to everyone. That said, parking can definitely be a bit of a headache. The lot fills up quickly, and there's a good chance you'll end up parking far away. This is something to keep in mind if you're visiting with older family members or anyone with mobility challenges or disabilities. Once you're there, it's absolutely worth it. The upstairs rooftop offers stunning views of Hollywood, and while our parking situation wasn't ideal, I personally enjoyed the walk up--it added to the overall experience and made the views feel even more rewarding. Between the scenery, the atmosphere, and the free admission, Griffith Observatory is a must-visit when you're in LA--just plan ahead for parking. read more

Griffith Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Beautiful and awesome landmark. Great stop before or after dinner to see the city's skyline and the Hollywood sign. The staff here however are some of the most miserable people ever. Something that I never seen elsewhere and can be sorted by freedom of information act. Don't bother with anyone other than parking staff who were helpful and full of life. read more

Griffith Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Los Angeles, California

If you have a few days in L.A., it's worth making it here, even if it's not the easiest place to park and walk to. I wonder if you can take a Lyft directly here and then hike down the hill. Back in the day, It used to be a snap to park right in front. But since they renovated the place (thankfully keeping the pendulum, as it has always been), much of the parking is on a narrow mountain road and $10 to $15 an hour. Though, the observatory is free with views that are some of the best in the entire city. The exhibits have been updated since I was a stripling and though I had practically memorized the previous simpler ones, they have much improved. I would highly recommend the current show "Signs of Life" in the planetarium, which I swear, blew our minds! Really, it did. read more

Los Angeles Icon! Perched atop Griffith Park, the Observatory is one of the most recognizable buildings in LA. Home to the planetarium, view of Los Angeles from Santa Monica to the port. Opportunities to learn about space and all the heavenly bodies in the night sky are designed for all ages. We love to walk all the way from Hollywood through the neighborhoods and up through the park. For ease take a bus or walk. Driving a car offers lots of frustration and no place to park. You can get an Uber or Lyft up and down. Today happened to be perfect SoCal weather with a breeze and sunshine and no smog. read more

See all

An iconic place to visit if you are ever in the city of Los Angeles. The best part is... this place if FREE!!! I would suggest packing a picnic blanket, chairs, and snacks and enjoy the beautiful sights of Los Angeles! The observatory is free to enter! Pretty cool to see with a lot of photo opportunities! There's a restroom inside for you to use too!! If you have enough time you can even hike along the trails. There are tons of trails to choose from. Not very shaded so I suggest packing a hat/sunscreen! read more

See all

All of the local LA people told us that the Griffith Observatory was worth seeing. And it is beautiful. You arrive at the top of the hill and are greeted by stunning 360 degree views of Los Angeles including downtown, the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains, and, of course, the Hollywood sign. We were here midday but I'm sure it's beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Construction began in the 1930s. There are few bathrooms, and they certainly have that 30s/40s charm. The majority of the inside is dedicated to educational solar-system stuff. I'm sure it's a coveted field trip for local 5th graders. My favorite part of the exhibitions inside was the long hallway that to-scale displayed the length of the universe, from the big bang to today. The whole point is to illustrate how short human life, and life in general have been a part of the universe. The best part of this, though, were the BROOCHES! It seems that some museum curators went around SoCal and sourced vintage brooches, earrings, and pendants to hang up in the hallway. Most of them were star and moon shaped. It felt like a fabulous tribute to the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles and the era of the Observatory's genesis. We parked down the mountain and took the free shuttle up to the top. We walked down, which was a pleasant walk. The cafe was a bit disappointing. It gave airport food. However, all was fine by me because they had DIBS! My favorite, hard-to-find, tater tot shaped, ice cream bites. Was a nice way to end our journey. Beware of rattlesnakes, apparently. read more

See all

A Los Angeles gem! Not only are the views incredible, but the exhibits are so approachable and educational for all ages. Great for a daytime picnic or an evening romantic date! Their star parties are such a unique experience and I highly recommend checking them out. Parking is really challenging but they do have accessible parking and a Dash bus you can hop on that takes you right to the top. Though on a busy night, the wait for the bus is LONG. On the night of the star party three buses passed us by before we just decided to take our chances and drive up the hill. Luckily we found a street spot but still had to hike up the hill a little. With a stroller, it was pretty challenging and a little dangerous at night because it's so dark and there's no real sidewalk. Street parking is $10 an hour. I didn't realize they had a cafe! Definitely want to check that out next time. Inside can get a little crowded, but there are plenty of things to look at to spread yourself out. My 3 year old with a very short attention span had a blast. I love how interactive and engaging the exhibits are. Can't wait to keep coming back! The absolute highlight was actually getting to see the moon and its craters in detail! I also got to see Jupiter and its four moons! Incredible! read more

See all

This was a request from our birthday boy to visit Griffith Observatory. Last time we visited, we didnt make it due to no parking but this time we arrived at a perfect time. Drove up, found parking in their lot. I have been here a few times but never really explored much and only admired the views of LA. This visit it was very foggy or wasnt a clear day to enjoy views so we explored the building. Kids enjoyed how interactive of an experience they offer. We as parent enjoyed it too. They also have a cafe and a gift shop to but a few souvenirs. Overall great visit and our family left happy. read more

See all

Science is COOL. This place was amazing, my son and I had a great time. There is an awesome view of the Hollywood sign, so that is a huge bonus. We happend to show up just before the Tesla Coil was set to light up, so being able to watch that was beyond amazing. It was very crowded, but thankfully everyone was polite and nobody was pushy. There is so much to see and so much to take in! I really enjoyed all the displays and there was staff around that enhanced the experience with explanations that you can't get anywhere else. I loved the views from the outside, the weather was absolutely perfect for our visit. We spent about an hour here, I advise a longer stay because there is so much to see. We were on a pretty tight timeline because my son was performing in Burbank later that night. I am so glad that we made this stop on our trip, it was very worth it! This location is perfect for all ages, as there is fascination for every age. read more

See all

I love parking at the bottom of the hill at night and going on a evening walk/hike to the top. It's calming and pretty at the top, especially towards closing time because there's less people. I appreciate how great exhibits are free, and I love when they have the telescopes out to see the moon or planets. It's a beautiful place to go when you need a break from the city. read more

I have lived in California for a long time now, but I never went to the Griffith Observatory until now - and I'm so glad that I made the trip out. First of all, we found some free parking at the bottom of the hill (got lucky and snagged a spot just as someone left) and instead of taking the shuttle up, we decided to make the trek. The hike itself was only 20 minutes or so, but it was definitely a bit challenging, so I'd keep that in mind for people who want to go. When we finally got there, it was crowded with people, which was fine - it was golden hour, so who wouldn't want to be there. We made our way up to the roof of the observatory and enjoyed the views of the city and the Hollywood sign. Also got some nice pictures during Golden Hour and watched the sunset on the rooftop. After the sunset, we got in line for the telescope to see the moon, which was a really cool free activity. After that, we were going to skip on the inside of the observatory, but I'm so glad that we didn't. The inside had the infamous pendulum that demonstrates the rotation of the earth. It also had a bunch of fun information and interactive activities about the solar system, space travel, stars, planets, and meteorites. There was so much information to view - I don't even know if we got to it all. After all of that, it was dark, and we basked in the nighttime city skyline for a bit before making our way down the hill and back to the car. Overall, such an amazing, free way to spend the night. read more

See all

I visited the Griffith Observatory for the first time today. Being a LA local, it was nice to actually play tourist in my own city and check out this awesome spot. Parking is $10 an hour and can definitely be a bit of a pain. We got here around 11:00 and we had to park quite far and hike up. I definitely recommend coming here early if you can. It was a warm day but luckily not super hot. Walking up, there's plenty of spots to take photos and take in the LA view. As you get closer to the Griffith Observatory, you'll get to spot the Hollywood sign. Griffith Observatory is free admission although you can watch some shows for a fee. We spent about an hour and half and it was plenty of time to see the different rooms and exhibits. You can definitely learn a lot about the different planets. You can see different things like a replica of the very first US satellite, a periodic table with all the elements and different exhibits dedicated to each of the planets. The view outside is pretty epic and you get a good view of all of Los Angeles. Overall it was a Sunday (space) fun day and I enjoyed this beautiful LA day learning more about planets and outer space at the Griffith Observatory. read more

See all

First of all, you can't beat free! But more importantly, the narrators all seem to love their job. Very insightful and entertaining speakers. They seem very well educated and informed about what they're speaking about. Everything was clean and well kept and easy to navigate. Parking was super simple as well, but we did go at 12 o'clock in the afternoon. Make sure to check when the sunsets and arrive one hour early if you want to look through the telescopes. The experience was beautiful nonetheless with nice views of LA. read more

See all

Old school since 1935. On the weekends If you don't want to pay 10 dollars per hour then take a hike up from the Greek Theatre area parking lots, those are free. We came by on a Sunday around noon and it was packed with many international tourists. The crowds get worse the later it gets when the sun is about to set. To avoid the crowds come during the week or on the weekends early in the morning. read more

Griffith Observatory - Summertime in winter JAN2026 - Observatories Near Me - Los Angeles, California

If you plan to visit here make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring some light jacket most of the time during 10 - 4pm its bright and mostly sunny day. Unless otherwise said rainy day or season. There are some theatre's for fee to check if you are interested. But most of the spot are free.This is an amazing family or friends chill spot or if you just want to do hiking. read more

Griffith Observatory What an excellent place to visit, this is a must see and do when in La La Land, oh by the way, this location was in the movie LaLa Land. Also waste back drop for Adele's concert sponsored by Oprah, but enough of the popularity of Griffith Observatory. This is first a classic observatory, the theater is awesome which is an extra $6/person, but admission is free. Go through the bottom and learn about the planets and solar system, go two both theaters if you have time, plus must do rooftop viewing whether in the day or at night to see the city lights and stars. The BIG negative is the parking, the people at the junction have no clue and purpose. Let the people go up to the parking lot rather than guiding to roadside hillside parking. There were plenty of parking in the top lot or hillside in the upper portion. What disgusted me most was when we were walking down to our car, a lady with a four wheel walker was walking up the hill. Come on get the parking right read more

See all

This place does not need my praise. It is a world attraction already known by many far and wide. Last time I went I took notice of all the big tour bosses going into their nearby grounds. Thus, tourists make their way into this observatory because it offers stuff within that can only be described as wonders, and it offers views outside that can only be described as breath-taking. What if?, A Disney+ show, featured the location as a central background for a spell performed by Agatha Harkness. So truly this place does not need my praise, for it has reached stardom without an agent, and just by existing. I wish I could say that I have known world fame just by existing alas I am not North-West Kardashian. When I went there it was a Saturday in the early afternoon, in late summer. Getting there is part of the adventure. And what would an adventure be without a villain? In this case the villain was finding a parking space. I entered and passed the Greek Theatre and some signs that discussed options for parking, as long as the Greek Theatre did not have a show. I continued to drive and hit traffic to the Observatory. As my pictures show, I went inside a tunnel. Typically, I hold my breath and make a wish until I come out from the other side. I do not think I could hold my breath till I came out so I did not attempt, I did not want to ruin my wish making capacity because birthday cakes and wells would seem less special if I did. I continued to drive and the car parking line was long. I eventually passed park cars, and saw some spaces that might be mine, but I did not want to pay the 10 dollar an hour rate to park. So I continued to drive, and I decided to escape the day. The car, the parking spot, the promise of walking when I was ready repelled me. As I was leaving, I passed a parking lot that had many spaces and they seem to be available free of cost. So I parked, and figured that I would see how I would walk to the Observatory. I did not want to walk, I was tired, and I had been walking other days. But I decided to park in the open parking lot because that eliminated the cost and the pack of cars and people. I felt like I was able to make a choice, when I was given room to think. I started to walk to the observatory. A sign helped me find my way to the top. As I walked up the hill, which was a workout, it punished my soles, heels, and calfs- I saw a lot of brush. The colors were almost exclusively a dull green and brown. But then I saw color with wings. I saw a blue bird that I thought was a Jay. It could have been something else, I do not know about birds so it is tempting to claim it was a Blue Jay but it could have been something else. I also saw black birds flying, a bird with a red top on top of a sign. These were all beautiful moments that reminded me that nature has small blots of color that make the sum of its presence worthy of an eye for detail. I made it to the top. I appreciated that people rooted for me as I climbed the trail. I remembered the entrance, I did not want to get lost. I also saw a happy face made out of rocks. The happy face was stamped by the universe for getting my steps in, and continuing on my health journey. When I was in the Observatory i wanted to see the movie that played on the dome ceiling as you were reclined. The movie cost 10 dollars. When I was in line, I worried that I would not see the movie because it would be sold out. There were a lot of people there, it was not mosh pit crazy but people were bumping into each other, if people did not take care to notice others around. As I waited I saw a sign that asked visitors to be mindful of pickpockets. Those were not the exact words but if you look at my picture the interpretation is fair. The guy buying the tickets was taking his time and asking questions. I waited for him to be told that all seatings were sold out. He was not told that. I was not told that either. Hooray! I really wanted to see the movie. I also heard the explanation that the guy in front of me was given. All my questions were answered. I wanted to buy the ticket and run to the line. I got to the ticket, ran to the line, just to wait. I did that thing where my mind convinces me that I need to rush to a place where heavy waiting awaits. I saw the Universe movie and learned that we are all created from stardust. I also left convinced that we are not the only beings with soul and thought in the ever wide universe that continues to expand. I think some famous person said that to imagine that we are only creatures in the universe that have thought is like imagining that only one wheat stalk will sprout in a field of wheat. As I was watching the movie a queer couple sat beside me, speaking a language that I did not recognize. It was a good reminder that love is also universal. Finally, almost as if the stars had written this tale, I lost my wallet. It was not stolen. I had dropped it in the movie dome. I wanted to say more about this place, it is worthy read more

See all