Attraction · Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official Griffith Observatory website. Official links are under Sources.
Griffith Observatory is free to enter.
- Open today 12:00–22:00.
- Also free: Children under 5 attend Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows free (on a parent's lap).
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Avoid the paid lot by taking the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus, or park free near the Greek Theatre and walk up (about a mile uphill); that area is unavailable after 1pm on concert days.
- Weekends, summer and sunset are the busiest times; weekday afternoons are calmer.
- Planetarium tickets cannot be bought online or in advance (except by certain Foundation members); buy at the box office early on busy days.
- The building opens only at noon on weekdays, but the grounds and views are open from early morning.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always freeBuilding, grounds and public telescopes are always free to enter · until 22:00 | everyone | Free entry covers the building, exhibits, grounds and public telescopes. Planetarium shows are paid, and parking near the Observatory is paid (pay-and-display, credit card only); free parking is possible near the Greek Theatre, up to a mile uphill walk. | No |
| Free forChildren under 5 attend Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows free (on a parent's lap) | children under 5 | Only the first planetarium show of each open day (12:45pm weekdays, 10:45am weekends); the child must sit on a parent's or guardian's lap. The ticket price table lists under-5s as FREE. | No |
Official prices
Griffith Observatory ticket prices
| Samuel Oschin Planetarium show, adult (13-54) — Live-narrated shows every 60-90 minutes; children 5-12 $8, seniors/students $10. Sold on site only, same day. | $12 |
| Parking near the Observatory (pay-and-display) — Paid noon-10pm weekdays and 10am-10pm weekends; rate shown at the pay stations (not published on the page). Cards only. | — |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Griffith Observatory
GetYourGuideLos Angeles: Hollywood Night Tour with Griffith Observatory★★★★☆ 4.2 · 752 reviews1.5 hoursfrom $49
GetYourGuideLA: Griffith Observatory Insider Tour with Planetarium Show★★★★★ 4.5 · 323 reviews1.5 hoursfrom $56
GetYourGuideLos Angeles: Griffith Observatory Guided Hike/Walking Tour★★★★★ 4.8 · 210 reviews2.5 hoursfrom $34
TiqetsGriffith Observatory: Guided Tour + Planetarium Show★★★★☆ 4.1 · 14 reviews1.5 hoursfrom $56
All tickets and tours on GetYourGuide
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tue | 12:00–22:00 |
| Wed | 12:00–22:00 |
| Thu | 12:00–22:00 |
| Fri | 12:00–22:00 |
| Sat | 10:00–22:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–22:00 |
Building open Tuesday to Friday noon-10pm and Saturday-Sunday 10am-10pm; closed Monday. The grounds and roads generally follow Griffith Park hours, 5am-10:30pm daily.
2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
FAQ
Griffith Observatory: common questions
Is Griffith Observatory free?
Yes — Griffith Observatory is free to enter. Also free: Children under 5 attend Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows free (on a parent's lap).
Who gets free entry to Griffith Observatory?
Children under 5 — only the first planetarium show of each open day (12:45pm weekdays, 10:45am weekends); the child must sit on a parent's or guardian's lap. The ticket price table lists under-5s as FREE..
What day is Griffith Observatory closed?
Griffith Observatory is closed on Mondays. Building open Tuesday to Friday noon-10pm and Saturday-Sunday 10am-10pm; closed Monday. The grounds and roads generally follow Griffith Park hours, 5am-10:30pm daily.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Griffith Observatory
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Sources
Where this comes from
- griffithobservatory.org/visit/getting-here/ · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
- griffithobservatory.org/explore/samuel-oschin-planetarium/ · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
- griffithobservatory.org/visit/
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.