Griffith Park & Observatory - AM itinerary suggestions

[PinkMagnolia]

I'm looking for some suggestions for a morning itinerary at Griffith Park & Observatory. I definitely want to spend some time at the Observatory and see the Hollywood sign and views. If possible, see the merry-go-round. I'm just not sure how to plan our morning. This will be a Saturday.

Some details:
DH and I - in our early 50's. I'm a big classic film & Disney fan
We are arriving the evening before from the East Coast, staying in Burbank, and are naturally early risers. We'll be up and ready to go super early
We have a 12:30 tour at Warner Brothers
We are active and are able to walk/hike, but I don't want to overdo it. This is a busy day and week at DL and I want to pace myself.
We don't necessarily want to see the exhibits inside the Observatory - Just the architecture of the building and views.
Also looking for suggestions for a quick lunch either here, or close to Warner Brothers before our tour
We'll be taking Uber to get around. Any suggestions for this?

This is probably the only time I'll get the opportunity to visit Griffith Park and Observatory. I'm really hoping it won't be closed when we are there. If you were planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip to the park, what would you do?

 

[wabbott]

I don't know if your schedule will allow it, but I strongly suggest seeing the sunset and nighttime view @ Griffith. We've been to the LA area several times and this experience is very much a highlight.

 

[bcla]

I second the suggestion for visiting at night. And definitely go in. There's no admission fee and it's a really nice museum even if you only go in for a few minutes.

I took the LA DOT DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus to get there. The bus was free back in Dec 2022, but even then it might make sense compared to getting an Uber ride to the top, where you might have to deal with traffic delays adding to your fare. The published fare (50 cents cash or 35 cents with a fare card) are pretty cheap.

https://www.ladottransit.com/dash/routes/obslf/obslf.html

 

[BlueGreen5]

I don't mean to hijack a thread, but I have a couple of related questions.

1) How long is a good amount of time to spend up there for school-age kids who are reasonably interested in astronomy (I used the term "reasonably" on purpose - they are moderately interested in planets and stars and telescopes, but are not going to "nerd out" or appreciate 90% of what's there)?

2) How long should we expect it to take for an Uber to take us from Hollywood and Vine (the REAL Hollywood and Vine, not the restaurant at DHS, lol) up to the Observatory around 5pm? If we left Hollywood and Vine around 5pm, would we reasonably expect to have enough time to walk around the museum and see a 6:30-7:00 sunset?

 

[wabbott]

2) How long should we expect it to take for an Uber to take us from Hollywood and Vine (the REAL Hollywood and Vine, not the restaurant at DHS, lol) up to the Observatory around 5pm? If we left Hollywood and Vine around 5pm, would we reasonably expect to have enough time to walk around the museum and see a 6:30-7:00 sunset?

About 10 to 15 minutes. I drove it myself in about that time. The map shows the route to be 2.9 miles. We were staying at the Hollywood Roosevelt, which is just down the street from H&V.

 

[wabbott]

Another thread diversion, but Walt Disney's home from 1932 to 1950 is right up the street from downtown Hollywood and the Griffith Park neighborhood. I didn't know it at the time of our 2021 Cali trip, or I would have made time to go and see it.

https://www.housebeautiful.com/desi...isneys-former-los-angeles-estate-is-for-rent/

 

[BlueGreen5]

About 10 to 15 minutes. I drove it myself in about that time. The map shows the route to be 2.9 miles. We were staying at the Hollywood Roosevelt, which is just down the street from H&V.

Thanks! You estimate it should only take 10-15 minutes to get all the way to the observatory around 5PM?? I read that there are often traffic delays around sunset. Are those reports unrealistic?

 

[wabbott]

Thanks! You estimate it should only take 10-15 minutes to get all the way to the observatory around 5PM?? I read that there are often traffic delays around sunset. Are those reports unrealistic?

I went back and looked at my picture details from June, 2021. We drove all the way from the Santa Monica Pier to the observatory via Santa Monica Blvd. in less than 1 1/2 hours. After dark, we drove back to our hotel on Hollywood Blvd from the observatory. There were no significant traffic issues either way. When you get up to the observatory, you may have to park a ways from the building, so be prepared for a little hike there. Stop by the vending area at the parking lot to see where The Terminator said: "Give me your clothes."

Here's what you'll see after sunset. Again, this was in June, 2021

 

[BlueGreen5]

Nice Pic!

 

[wabbott]

Nice Pic!

It was overcast and there was a lot of light reflecting from the cloud cover, which cut down on the contrast. It would have been better on a clear, moonless night, I think. Regardless, to me it's one of the best shows in all of Southern California, and it's free!

 

[DonnerB]

Taking an Uber means you don't have to worry about the headache that parking can cause at the Observatory. I would start there that morning. The merry go round is still closed for refurbishment, I believe, and is about a fifteen minute drive around to the other side of the park from the Observatory. You can still get a pretty good look at it, but if you aren't hiking in the area there isn't really anything else to see (it's basically located in a nice picnic area of the park). The zoo and Autry museum are on that side but a pretty decent walk/hike away.

Look into lunch in Los Feliz or Atwater Village if you want to eat around Griffith. The Morrison for beer and burgers, or many of the places on Hillhurst Ave (Little Dom's, Messhall Kitchen, the Alcove, Home).

 

[moorish]

Taking an Uber means you don't have to worry about the headache that parking can cause at the Observatory. I would start there that morning. The merry go round is still closed for refurbishment, I believe, and is about a fifteen minute drive around to the other side of the park from the Observatory. You can still get a pretty good look at it, but if you aren't hiking in the area there isn't really anything else to see (it's basically located in a nice picnic area of the park). The zoo and Autry museum are on that side but a pretty decent walk/hike away.

Look into lunch in Los Feliz or Atwater Village if you want to eat around Griffith. The Morrison for beer and burgers, or many of the places on Hillhurst Ave (Little Dom's, Messhall Kitchen, the Alcove, Home).

We did a meal in Los Feliz before doing the Observatory at sunset and then we parked at the Greek Theatre parking lot in Griffith Park and took the free shuttle up to the top. It was on a weeknight so maybe less busy than a Saturday (and check to make sure there's not a show that night) but it was super easy.

If there is a show at the Greek, you could park in Los Feliz and take the DASH shuttle up. Or an Uber is good too.

 

[woodys_girl]

I don't mean to hijack a thread, but I have a couple of related questions.

1) How long is a good amount of time to spend up there for school-age kids who are reasonably interested in astronomy (I used the term "reasonably" on purpose - they are moderately interested in planets and stars and telescopes, but are not going to "nerd out" or appreciate 90% of what's there)?

I checked the time stamps on my photos, but my family with 3 elementary aged kids spent maybe 2 hours there including a show in the planetarium. They enjoyed it, and now love shouting "I've been there" whenever they see the observatory in movies.

The other thing we did at the park was seeing Walt's Barn (only open the third Sunday of the month) and riding the little train around. If you happen to be visiting when Walt's Barn is open, definitely make time for it.

 

[BlueGreen5]

I checked the time stamps on my photos, but my family with 3 elementary aged kids spent maybe 2 hours there including a show in the planetarium. They enjoyed it, and now love shouting "I've been there" whenever they see the observatory in movies.

The other thing we did at the park was seeing Walt's Barn (only open the third Sunday of the month) and riding the little train around. If you happen to be visiting when Walt's Barn is open, definitely make time for it.

Really helpful, thanks!