Griffith Park Reviews

4.6

13 of 1,081 Best Attractions in Los Angeles


Reviews

By boymomdfw |

We had a good, short hike to Bronson Cave which is the Bat Cave from the original TV series. There is not a lot of parking and the port-o-potty is disgusting. Otherwise, good stop.

By Samsonjh |

Lovely place to walk, loads more than just the Observatory to be seen but give yourself plenty of time, the Hollywood sign for instance is a LOT further away than you first think! Make sure you take suncream, I made the mistake of committing to one of the trails thinking it wouldn't take long... my neck and shoulders are suffering as I write this.

By Dale A |

This was a last minute outing at night with the kids and we were all so glad that we went. The views were amazing and the exhibits inside were entertaining for the kids.

By Marilyn M |

A wonderful place for long walks as it is very large. Believe it is a bit bigger than Central Park in NYC

By MarkButt |

Excellent views of the city especially on a clear day. Parking is a problem so definitely make sure you can go early to beat the crowds.

By Jackie N |

Absolutely amazing colors in the sky and an amazing view of the whole city. It was crowded, but there was still enough room to see Bothell the Hollywood sign during the sunset and when the sun finally set, there was as amazing fiery of the night skyline of the city.

By Joseph C |

My closest friend on the planet has lived in the Los Feliz neighborhood section of L.A. since the 1990s, and we like to take our morning constitutionals in adjacent Griffith Park when I'm in town to enjoy the (relatively) clean air and quiet of the location. Four or five years had elapsed since I last visited my old partner in crime, and the park hasn't changed one bit in the intervening time (thank God). There are horse-riding trails for equestrian enthusiasts, by the way (I ain't one of them).

By BeachStone2C |

Griffith Park offers great hiking options along the hills in the heart for Los Angeles. These are by far the best views of LA if you make the effort and hike to the hill tops. Surprisingly quiet considering how great the area is. Free parking.

By Onlyonemaggie |

Everyone needs to see this once in their life. It’s in so many movies. From the drive up thru the hills to the the toon tunnel! I’ve been here 5 times in ten or so years. Must see!

By Dama Pensante |

Griffith Park is a magical place...full of opportunities to learn while having fun as you learn. Not only is there an Observatory for studying Planetary matters, but there is also an onsite Equestrian Center for renting and riding horses. If either of these two things don't interest someone, there's the option to simply going hiking through nature on one or several of the many trails within the park. Terrain is a bit robust so be sure to have plenty of bottled water on hand, along with sunscreen, bug repellent and a hat & sunglasses. Parking is sometimes limited, but is still free and easy to access. Parking is also allowed along the curbside on the main road leading up to the Observatory. Make a day of visiting Griffith Park soon!

By Régis1972 |

Visit of the observatory and beautiful panorama of LA and nice park even if dedicated to access to vehicles. an interesting visit and especially possibility to make quite pleasant hikes with the view of the abbreviation Hollywood.

By ALCBS |

Beautiful scenery. Massive park. Made famous by countless movies.
Not far from Hollywood sign so if you get in the right spot you can get some awesome photo's. Great trails. Must visit in LA.

By Judy W |

Early in the morning, the crowds are small, the air is clear, and the views of Los Angeles are spectacular.

By rageisman |

Huge beautiful park. Many hiking trails. We did the Mt Hollywood hike which I would totally recommend. Wonderful views of the city and the Hollywood sign as you hike. Took an Uber to the Griffith observatory parking lot which was the trail head, but had difficulty getting an Uber for our return to our hotel. Lots of traffic to parking lot, and we were there early before the Observatory had even opened.

By Jojo |

Nice place to visit with kids. Lots of learning opportunities. It can get crowded and parking can be tight. Plan accordingly. You can drive all the way up if you need to drop off someone and then park the car down at parking lots. Restrooms are not many at the building so expect a queue.

Restrooms: It will.get crowded so expect a queue

Dog-friendliness: Pets are not allowed inside the building but are allowed in the park.

By Margaret Lalik's Kitchen |

I leave at Los Feliz area. I take morning walks to Griffith Park Ferndale trail. It is beautiful. It has small creeks. There is a coffee shop called Trails. It is convenient to stop for a cup of coffee. The guy works there is very rude. I love nature and very much enjoy walking at this place. There are public toilets on the ground.

By E.L.E |

Fun park with lots to walk and run, also an amazing location. Got lucky and found car parking fairly easy. Worth spending hours

By KirstyBain |

Beautiful huge park just off the highway. Free parking unless you drive up to the Observatory where you must pay a parking fee and walk.
Antique restored merry go round with snack bar and limited souvenir stand.
Washroom facilities.
Pony and mid size horse rentals for kids and teens.
Lovely park to spend a day enjoying nature surrounded by the Hollywood Hills.

By PMath5516 |

Great place to see LA and the Hollywood sign. We drove all the way to the top and were able to get a parking spot since people come and go so frequently. We did not go inside the observatory but we did go up a couple of levels on the outside.

By Zoe B |

We visited quite early one morning and were amazed how relaxing and peaceful this place was. Parking was easy and free, we found a spot near the bottom of the hill but it only took about 10 minutes to walk up to the Observatory. Great views, it feels a world away from the very busy LA.

By Joseph C |

This little trail at the beginning of the road to Griffith Observatory was a delight for us. We visited several parks in the area, but this one was a relaxing oasis. A small stream ran through it and benches were near bridge walkways. For couples looking for a place to relax before going to the observatory, I recommend it for a romantic treat.

By Amanda_ojc |

Great place to visit for views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood sign. It gets incredibly busy if you want to watch the sunset so go early as there is limited parking.

By Pam T |

Love to take out of town guest there to see the sites....of course you must bet on a good weather day and that we had. I love the interior , but nothing compared to the outside and views. Must give yourself time due to traffic getting up there and make sure its not the same time as a show at the Greek Theater

By zkrscasa |

Not much to say but this is a big park in the heart of LA. You can trip around, see humanity at its best and worst. Enjoy, be careful.

This is for people without yards.

By fulf0rds |

We visited as part of a day tour. Had a round an hour here needed longer. Very interesting place and great views of the Hollywood sign and if its a clear day good view of downtown Los Angeles

By Hans K |

The is a pony and train rental place at the bottom. If you are not interested in this then please remember to continue to drive further upwards. Then you reach a parking place where walking trails starts. Trails have steep passages - but you are rewarded by a spectacular view over LA even after walking very shortly - we took the passage targeted for the old zoo - saw the was a lower track as well - we choose going upwards from the start.

By CasandraTP |

Griffith Park is huge and full of some must see things in LA. There is Griffith Observatory which has some of the best view in LA including the famous Hollywood sign. Oh and it’s free to enter. The Autry Western Museum which I definitely recommend visiting as it’s full of history. The zoo is also here and also the Greek theatre. There are a number of hiking trails for those that are interested in seeing nature. So much to do in this area if visiting LA.

By SarahNDippitty |

Parked at Greek Theater and walked up to the Observatory, then up a bit more to the summit of Mt Hollywood for the panoramic views. Great exercise rewarded by some brilliant photo ops.

By Lori G |

Great views - be sure to go on all levels and decks for different views. I would do the decks first then you can cool down in the museum. There's plenty of hiking here and maps are available of the trails, or use Google Maps. Free Wi-Fi too! You can Uber here and avoid the parking problems but call for your Uber early because they take a little time in getting there. There's one designated area for Uber pickup.

By Vic S |

You would never know you are minutes from downtown LA, we stopped at the Trail for a snack as we motored up to the observatory. It's basically a food shack, but we had quiche, cheese sandwich and our son the snakedog...all drinks, chips, and a huge piece of apple pie. We sat out under the roofed seating area and had a lovely picnic surrounded by millions of Angeloes going bout their business in the center of one of the biggest cities in USA...very relaxing and civilized...Not pricey, and a nice way stop on our way to the planetarium.

By stormville |

Griffith Park is a beautiful, and big, urban park. We took one of the many hiking trails, the Mount Hollywood trail, and I would highly recommend it. Make sure you bring enough water, food, and sun protection. The AllTrails app has the park trails in it.

By DRLieberson |

A lovely place to go when the weather is not too hot! The Griffith Observatory, located on the grounds is also a place you should visit if you go. The views are great, but be prepared for walking up hills unless you begin at the top.

A few tips:
1) You can see the Hollywood sign from the park as well!
2) Parking can be difficult to find and you may have to walk more;
3) Better to depart before 10 pm, when traffic is more restricted

By Emily T |

We have hiked several times up to the Griffith Observatory and it is an uphill hike but not too long from the parking lot up to the Griffith Observatory (took maybe 30 minutes). Parking is free at the bottom but fills up especially on weekends later in the morning. There are amazing views of downtown LA and the Hollywood Sign and the trails have people on them but it has never been too crowded. Griffith Park Observatory is really cool to see in person and you can walk around inside as well. You pay for parking up here but it is always really crowded with cars, buses, and Ubers so I would rather hike up instead of drive up. Would definitely recommend this hike!

By LATraveller_12 |

It does not cost you a thing to come here and visit the famous Observatory, a landmark of Los Angeles. So you cannot set your expectations very high, nor you can complain after the visit. We have visited this place at least a dozen times. Finding parking is becoming more and more challenging, last time when we visited the place we could not find anything close so we turned around and went to beach instead.
Lots of people! The observatory itself is not something very impressive, you can actually say it is a little disappointing, not too many things to see inside. But the surroundings are spectacular, you get the best views overlooking the city. It is one of the few places where you can take a very good picture of the Hollywood sign. Many people come here for hiking, the trails are easily accessible and offer you awesome views. Highly recommended for first time visitors!

By packedandready2go |

Great views, a traditional merry go round, the Griffith Observatory, tennis courts, bicycles for rent, a museum,etc. There is something for everyone in this huge park.

By JamPack1965 |

We've been to LA a handful of times and had never been to Griffith Park. We went at night (it was beautiful) and it also happened o be one of the nights that there was a summer concert!

By Paul Gillingham |

100% worth a visit just to see some of the incredible views.
This place makes Central Park in NYC look tiny!

By Donna H |

So many mountain hiking trails and such beautiful scenery. We hiked and toured the park. This 4,000 acre park is in the middle of Los Angeles. We visited the Griffith observatory at the park summit. You can see for miles in all directions, And there is a wonderful solar system display inside. We passed an outdoor theater and a spot with pony rides and a wonderful large carousal. Next time we will visit the Zoo and botanical gardens located in the park.

By TomKunze |

Angelenos are so lucky to have this urban gem topped with the Observatory (LA's hood ornament). This park is my 'go to' for training, both cycling and running. The energy of the visitors is contagious and the miles and miles of hiking cannot be matched.

By Nedelakttraveler |

This is a huge park above LA. Fantastic view of LA and areas. Hint - even if parking lot signs are full -drive up (the parking lot has high turnover) so never saw anyone not get a parking spot. Great place to just look over the city but terrific paths for walkers or hikers (parts are very steep). A must do in LA I my opinion.

By JOSEPH DUNN |

For the Griffith Observatory you can take L.A. County Department of Transportation's "OBSERVATORY" dash bus which runs 7 days a week HOWEVER<< THE OBSERVATORY IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS. If you are staying in Downtown Los Angeles take the RED LINE subway to Vermont/Sunset station and wait for this bus on the Vermont Avenue side (you'll see the LADOT bus stop sign saying OBSERVATORY) on the same side of the station entrance you came out of. If you are coming from your hotel in the San Fernando Valley get to the Chandler and Lankershim RED LINE subway station (THIS IS THE LAST STOP IN THE VALLEY) and take this train to the very same stop as described above (VERMONT/SUNSET). The bus runs frequently and since Griffith Park closes at 10pm YOU MUST BE AT THE DASH BUS STOP AT THE OBSERVATORY AT ABOUT 9:50PM AS THE LAST BUS GOES DOWN THE HILL AT 10PM SHARP. As you arrive at the observatory, you will notice that you were fortunate to take transit as opposed to driving as parking is a royal pain and traffic as well but, being on the DASH OBSERVATORY bus gives you an advantage, that the traffic police usually halt the cars and let the bus through. The bus begins mon-fri about 12noon on weekends and holidays at about 10am. Fare is 50¢ for adults and 25¢ for seniors and disabled. If you purchased the EZ TRANSIT PASS from the LOS ANGELES MTA THIS BUS IS INCLUDED AND YOU DO NOT PAY ANYTHING ON THIS BUS.

By TravellingTwos |

If the earth could become a lush piece of greenery, then Griffith Park would be a good sample.

The park houses many attractions and visitors are able to do sooooooooooooo much within it. Rather than me rambling on, best thing to do is see what they have to say - Unfortunately i can't link the PDF here from their official site but just search for "griffith park info pdf" and it should be the top link :)

In summary, please do visit but do take heed of the park rules.

By Andrew K |

Very busy, but worth the drive to get some great views over the city. Would like to go back and do it at night.

By Annika L |

Beautiful park with numerous hiking trails, amazing views over the city and the Hollywood Sign. Must visit place in LA!

By Annaline |

It is one of my favorite places to visit when in LA. Free of charge and spectacular . Not cheep and cheesy. Spectacular views especially at sun set. And the visit to observatory is a cherry on the top of he cake . Note that on some days observatory is open till 10pm. But note: it gets really crowded here .....best if you don’t drive here but hike if you can.

By toddosbeck |

We had a great time hiking in Griffith Park. Went to the top of Mt Hollywood and had great views of the area. At the end of our hike we visited the observatory which had several interesting exhibits. We will definitely do this again in future visits to LA.

By stevewesterby |

If you like nature, hikes or incredible views, then this is for you. Trails and roads are marked, easy to find and follow.

By Molly L |

We were so enraptured by the natural beauty of this region and thankful that we chose to stay in a location that allowed us such easy access to the enormous park and the stunning views from it!

By Adrian P |

Allocate plenty of time for walking around the area, best to visit on foot either early in the morning or around sunset, early night time.

By AMohsen |

Nice to pay a visit to it and necessarily not miss the Griffith Observatory. It offers an amazing holistic view of LA. It is also the same region of the Hollywood sign, but there are specific spots to get a picturesque view of it.

By Mehrsh |

Very attractive place to see. Relaxing environment to go with family and friends. Very nice tram to get there.

By jbbyers67 |

We rode the merry-go-round that inspired Walt Disney. It is in need of more love but go ride it. You can feel Mary Poppins riding the moving horses. The paintings and carvings are well worth the $2 ride! Parking is free so enjoy the experience.

We were feeling lazy and cool so we opted to drive to the old zoo. Again, parking is free and plentiful so we could be lazy. Walking around the old zoo was an eye opener. It was depressing to see the animal enclosures knowing that is what we thought was suitable. It is refreshing to see the progress we have made in zoological sciences.

Nice hike up to B rock for excellent views of LA.

Walking around Griffith Park makes you forget you are in LA. It is wide open spaces and not too many people. We saw many groups picnicking. The playground was packed with kids and families.

By leahb908 |

We parked by the old zoo picnic area and there was plenty of parking. Staying away from the observatory seems to be the trick.

We explored the abandoned zoo and then ended up hiking for hours. We hadn’t planned on that but the area was pretty and we challenged ourselves to find the Hollywood sign. We did!! Only 2 letters visible but we did it!

The trails could use a few more signs, but overall the park is a great value!!

By Paul |

Great for hikes and scenic views! If you end up hiking to the Hollywood sign make sure you carry some water with you. You can also go horseback riding in Griffith Park.

By Colby S |

I mostly went for the Observatory itself but the park surrounding it is also amazing with its pine trees, rugged hills, and smooth trails that are easy to walk and get around! Even though it’s in the middle of LA and you can see the skyscrapers in the distance, it still feels like you’re out experiencing nature in some faraway place. We’re lucky here in SoCal to have this as a resource to enjoy!

By Hany G |

It I see a huge park with an awesome view, you can get a good view of the Hollywood sign and get a wonderful pictures, the Parkin could be challenging.
I recommend going at night, the view is fantastic at night

By Jordi-cr7 |

A must in LA. You cannot miss this place. Iconic beautiful place. You can see all LA, and the Hollywood sign. Great place for photos .

By Michael G |

Greek Theatre great concert venue. Parking is problematic. Lyft preferred, Uber was unreliable, more angry Uber customers, Lyft riders were less frustrated.

By Daniel T |

We went for a hike after soaking up the sights of Hollywood. Was a welcome break from the commercialism down the road. You can get some impressive views from the park and a stop into the observatory is recommended. We had a hazy day unfortunately but I can imagine the views to be spectacular on a clear one.

By KatKealy |

It's got beautiful views and is a must for first time visitors. You can't get that view from anywhere else, so check it out!

By Cody B |

could have to walk a bit if its busy, but check parking at the top first. beautiful views of the city and its free ( just pay for parking) lots of interactive exhibits. Great for families. also a great view of the Hollywood sign.

By Alex Y |

It is good for many things!
You can get more idea about space.
You can watch the city view.
Kids can get fun with planets and so/see scientific experiments.

By Robert F |

This is a wonderful city park. has the Planetarium, the Greek Theater, LA Zoo, etc. This is a must see in LA

By mrdom |

Griffith Park is big and varied and definitely worth visiting. However, it’s set up for cars and lacks walking paths in key areas while many of the ones it has are wide dusty roads or footpaths beside roads.

By Leonidas Anthop... L |

It is -at least- a free-of-charge spot in LA. You only have to pay for parking. It offers a magnificent view to the city and to the sign, while if you go inside you learn lots of things. It is worth it.

By Polaroids & Drinkin Stories |

There's a little bit of everything tucked away in Griffith Park. Horse trails, Gene Autry West Museum, hiking trails, Zoo, the Observatory. The list goes on. My last visit I went exploring around the old Griffith Park Zoo. Some of the old cages still stand. It's cool to check out and odd that they're still there.

By Alfred S |

I liked it so much. View was great especially in night. I love to sit there, in mute and noiseless and look at the busy city

By Miguel V |

From he Griffith Park you can have an amazing panoramic view of LA. The hike is light, and the sunset is stunning there. Is a beautiful and safety place. I recommend going there either alone or with family or friends. Is the perfect place to have an idea of how huge is the city

By Sammi S |

This park is huge!!! There are so many different spots to go and enjoy a relaxing picnic or hike!! Well worth it for those with families and children!!

By Indah Edlightz |

Griffith Park is a must when visiting LA. Hollywood Peak is a fantastic hike and a great spot to view Los Angeles and surrounding area. The hike is not too challenging, although there are few people making some rest spots. Wear comfortable hiking footwear with some treads. Folks with normal sneakers where slipping and sliding a little. The Views from Hollywood peak are great. you have a 360 degree view of the area. Downtown LA, Hollywood, Santa Monica, the pacific ocean on one side, and Burbank, Pasadena and Angeles National Forrest on the other. The Hollywood sign is just in the distance and lots of great spots for photos.

By Poingdexter |

There is free parking outside business hours so head up before noon. Once the Observatory opens, parking meters are $8.

Self guided is all you need. We went just after a rain and the view was great

By Wendy Littles |

Los Angeles stretches out before your eyes, and you finally understand why they call it the city of angels for it's majestic appearance of grandeur and flashing lights.

By Stig Tore Johnsen |

Arrived at around 9 AM, and we got ourselves parking place very near the entrance. If you arrive after 10 you probably have to park your car a bit distance from then entrance. Nice view of LA, and the whole family stayed for 5 hours at Griffith. We tried to go after dark, but park and entrance was closed due to a big fire a few days before. Really recommend this to everyone. Exhibit was very well organized, and both kids and adults learned a lot.

By daler0753 |

This location had a great observatory and a small astronomy-related museum throughout the building (also go downstairs where there is a gallery between the gift shop and the cafe), a 12 inch Zeiss refracting telescope that is used for public observing in the evening depending on the weather and clear skies, and several other amenities in the park which we did not see. There is no fee to go into the observatory. There is a planetarium show offered three times a day which does include a fee.

You will likely have to part near the Greek Theatre at the base and either take the long walk uphill or grab the DASH redline bus. $.50 per person and $.25 per senior. Bring exact change- not dollar bills as the money is calculated as it drops into the hopper. Outside restroom lines may be long. Instead, take the elevator from the tall elevator kiosk near the observatory to Lower Level 2. There are restrooms with about 18 stalls per male/female restrooms. No one really knows about it. A staff member mentioned them to us when we were waiting in line. The bathrooms are older with a 1920s or 1930s feel, which was kinda nice.

By Craig L |

There used to be free parking on the roadsides where you can walk 5-10 mins to the observatory, but now city LA parking sets pay stations and charges all of the free parking... You can still park far and take the shuttle or walk to the observatory.
The night view is still great here, but you can probably check Hollywood bowl overlook as an alternative.

By snooks23 |

We rolled up to Griffith Park on an extremely sunny Saturday and hiked the easy trail (mainly as we didnt really know how else to get around) but it was extremely sunny and I forgot to bring a hat. You'll need to bring water if you're going to stay out for a long period of time but I really recommend doing it. We were out for 2 hours but sadly didnt get as close as desired to the Hollywood Sign!

Next Time!

By Sarah L |

Griffith Park is a great place where you can take in gorgeous views of the city, visit the Observatory and also hike up to the Hollywood Sign. Highly recommend going at sunset to take in those gorgeous city views.

By TheLeongOhana |

Every couple of years we stop by Griffith Park during our SoCal trip. This time COVID guidelines were posted all over the park but there was a mixture of people with and without masks. When you enter the park, all parking was free. However, we did. It want to hike up to the observatory so we continued driving up and ended paying $10 per hour for parking. Pay stations are easy to find and accept only credit cards. There was spots along the road and a parking lot at the top by the observatory. It was good to stretch our legs after the drive. Branching off the main road were different trails but since it was close to lunch we opted to stay on the paved walkways. We took the requisite photos with the Hollywood sign in the background though it was a little small. We stoped by to see the James Dean statue. On the ground surrounding the observatory were stamped different solar events. Behind the observatory, we got the smoggy view of downtown LA. We’ve seen better. Since the observatory was closed we could not walk all the way around and had to turn back. It’s been awhile since we actually visited the observatory so we’ll have to come back when it’s open again.

By Steve S |

I got into the park and up to the Wisdom Tree by catching the bus out of Hollywood to Chauenga / Barham. From there, you've got quite a walk along roads and into the park from Wonder View Drive and Trail. Ignore signs that your GPS is wrong and to turn around. There's a key coded gate, but it's open - just pull. It's a bit of a scrabble in a couple of places, but from there you can get up to the Wisdom Tree and across to Mt Lee Peak to view the back of the Hollywood sign. Road down to get a selfie in front of the sign, the long twisting road to Griffith Observatory. Bus down and out onto Feliz to get back.

By nyyan |

For one night we wanted to see Los Angeles from above. We were thinking about a rooftop bar, but coming to this park was the better decision. With a breathtaking lookout over the skyscrapers and lights in the night, without too much noise, it was like being in a remote movie. Could have sit here for hours.

By Jackie Z |

On a clear day, from Griffith Park, you can see really far. It's a great place to bring family and friends there. For my last visit, I went hiking there with friends. Awhile back, I went inside and they have some nice programs there also. Recommend to check out for sure.

By Rio |

This used to be a better managed park. But the current LA Mayor has encouraged massive tourism into this park and the residential neighborhoods surrounding. Most of the wildlife has disappeared that I used to see (deer, coyote, rabbits, etc.) being forced deeper into the quieter areas of the hills. It's not easy to find parking on weekends.

By GOgirl |

We took an Uber there from Hollywood and Highland shopping centre. The views are really good and this was the closest we got to the sign. On the way back my daughter saw a coyote in the woods.

By arijit_here2007 |

We visited at day time. Though it was foggy but the LA city view was awesome. I believe the night view of the city from this point should be more beautiful and I'll definitely back for that.

By Lena K |

My 5-year-old granddaughter was looking forward to riding a real horse. There is the choice of having your 100-pound or lighter child ride a small, medium or large horse. The children I saw really enjoyed their rides. Each ride is $5.00.

By Cyngtz |

We went here on a Saturday afternoon and it was tough to find somewhere to park close enough to the observatory, other than that is a great day to start or finish your day!

By permia |

A vast space having so many attractions is one of the most popular destinations in LA. We approached it from Los Feliz, after visiting Lovell Health House and sundry other sights.

We enjoyed our time at the incomparable Observatory, and availed of a snack in the aptly named Cafe at the End of the Universe.

Best views of the Hollywood Sign are to be had from the Park. In the clarity of the morning sunshine it looked particularly impressive.

After strolling around we made our way to a Park exit passing the celebrated Greek Theatre.

By Konstantina M |

As a Canadian transplant , as awesome as Los Angeles is, sometimes you just need 'GREEN"...You know what I mean? Who would have thought that minutes from Sunset Boulevard is this urban oasis.
The entry is a park with thick tress and mostly pretty but dry ravines. You are in this mini forest right inside LA!!CRAZY!! As you climb though, and pass the observatory, you reach a plateau that lets you see the whole of LA from Malibu to San Pedro. It is sooo worth it!! I would put this one my LA list!!

By Heather T |

Didn't see much more of the park than the short hike up the hill to the observatory. But it was enjoyable. Not enough public restrooms.

By AshBush |

Definitely drive up here at sunset or sunrise for the views, they are something you won’t want to miss!

By Enrique J |

Everything about this park is just amazing. The view of LA it provides at the top of the mountains is just completely beautiful.

By dinfamily2009 |

Our main draw was to come see the observatory. But of course the park itself has beautiful views and there is the Hollywood sign.
The hillside is nice and there are trails through the hills. A children’s play area (jungle gym) at the bottom was great. We would come again just to explore the park and it’s hills/trails.

By Sheldon P |

We were surprised by how cool the show was. After a few margarita's down the street we came here and had a blast - just chilled out in our seat and had a great time

By Alexandre Esteban |

Great attraction in Los Angeles. One of the best places to get a view of teh city and just chill. Can't beat on a sunny day with view from downtown LA to the Hollywood sign.

By 577auroram |

The trails were good ones! We then stopped at the picnic area to get a drink of water for Barkley at the water fountain but it was covered with bees! He did get a drink at the second fountain! I did not horseback ride or visit the trains but next time I will! Great day!

By David G |

I used to go here when I was a child on school field trips. This place has incredible views of downtown LA, the Hollywood sign, great hiking trails. The obseratory was closed when I was there. Definitely a place to stop and visit when in LA.

By Kimmvel |

This is a great way to see the city and get some fresh air. The park is very big so remember where you parked.

By Breanne07 |

This place has an amazing view. It was so crazy for parking though, so make sure you are reading and following the signs. Parking was $4.00 I think that was for an hour. We walked up the side stairs to get to the roof to look out. We didn't look around too much in the museum we had a few people with us who already been so we didn't take the time. It looked like it had so cool information. One thing I found fun was on the sidewalk, It has a location for the sun and then down the walk path there were the path and which planet and how far it gave us a visual which makes it even cooler. I it was so cool to see and enjoy the nature and city around you. Go and enjoy.

By ozeire |

This park is better enjoyed if you are up for hiking and long walks which we weren't on this specific day. Its a beautiful park for sure. We were delighted to find that the merry go round in Griffith Park is the one that Walt Disney brought his kids to play on and was the inspiration for Disneyland. That was pretty special, so of course we had to go on it.

By damonm43 |

We made two visits, one on Sunday night (bad idea) the other on a Tuesday afternoon (much better) Drive up to the Greek Theater and use the free parking/shuttle bus or Walk it as you are only a mile away. We did te Red Line Dash Bus up and got stuck waiting 40 minutes for another bu to bring us back down. Lots to see and do, or you can just relax and enjoy the views.

By Jomumof3 |

We decided to drive to the top & pay the $10 parking fee. The track from the bottom was dusty & it was hot so not a popular choice for my lazy teens. If you go early or late it would be good though but wear trainers! Masks were required in the observatory but they are provided if you forget. You’ll need to show proof of vaccinations too. The shows look good but need to be pre-booked. The views are great- can be hazy but still worth it!

By Rich A |

There's no reason to feel crowded in Griffith Park --- but the way the roads are you're going to be next to a lot of people -- so drift to the unused areas and get some privacy!

By José Gómez |

The park is between the city, the old zoo and the gold course; the observatory with the same name; and Hollywood sign. Very hot and most of the area totally brown in summer. Watch your feet going up and down the hills. The slopes will give you an extra hard sportive excursion. Take your own food and as much water as possible (camel bag is more appropriate to be hydrated all the time). Anyway, Be careful with the sun.

By Amy M |

Really nice walk with a Meetup Group. I think total we walked almost 6 miles. One of the group members knew little tidbits about the park, so it made it a better walk. The trail is moderately challenging since there are parts that are either a steep incline or decline (my foot slid a couple of times). However, I think about half of our steps were fairly level and path was very pretty clear. I felt like my tennis shoes were adequate. There was also a couple of water points and picnic areas. There were definitely some incredible views of LA and even the hillside was very lovely. Looking forward to next hike.

By Caballero500 |

We were lucky to see one of the beautiful sunset. The best time is around the sunset

Parking - is a real challenge and the dash shuttle is too crowded but a good alternative.

Evening telescope - the q cuts off at 9.30 pm and generally takes 40 minutes so plan accordingly

Museum - a lot to learn or relearn about earth, moon, seasons

By Brian D |

One of the best parks in the Los Angeles area. I absolutely love it. Whether you enjoy running or just walking around I would recommend it.

By jfm02719 |

There are plenty of trails to hike and on a clear day, incredible views. Best of all it's FREE. Great way to escape the hectic downtown LA scene and relax. Pack a bottle of water and a camera and enjoy. If you get a chance, get up to the Griffith Observatory. If for nothing else, a great photo op and view. Expect crowds though.

By Lisa T |

This park has a lot to offer. From the Griffith Observatory, Hiking Trails, "The Trails" Coffee shop in Fern Dell, There is a small golf course across from the outdoor concert theater

By Trevor P |

Walking up in this area you get a great view of the city. It's an incredible place, and free WiFi in the park is a huge bonus for tourists!

By veryrary |

Had a gorgeous evening up on the hill, caught the planetarium show, watched the sun go down, saw LA at night. check it out

By Ken Q |

We walked up to the observatory from the parking area at the base. It was a nice walk and the views were spectacular.

By Au Rainbow |

This is a great park for locals to hike. If you are coming from other places, and want to use your precious time in LA, I would recommend going other places instead.

By Leanne N |

Griffith Park offers lots of walking and hiking trails. You can also ride your bike through if that’s more up your alley. You can see the famous Hollywood sign while in at the park and there is lots of shade if you need an escape from the summer heat. It’s a nice break from the hustle and bustle of downtown. It’s very large so I would ask a local where to go or take a guide with you.

By hikinghappily62 |

We landed at Burbank and this was the first place we came based on reviews. So glad we listened! It was a lovely afternoon 12/30/19 with lots of people parking and walking to see the Hollywood sign. Great views of it from the Griffith Observatory (which was closed that day). Griffith Park is amazing and so large-I’m sure we only saw a small part of it yet we parked, walked quite a ways and all the way up to the observatory. If I lived here this would be a favorite spot for me. So many little paths and hikes to explore. We loved it!

By Shaun T |

This park is really great and something different to visit when in LA. There is a great view of the city but unfortunately we did not have enough time to walk hike to the Hollywood sign. You need about 2 to 3 hours return trip.

By HypnoWarrior |

We only spent a day here, but in that day we visited the observatory, dodged the rattlesnakes, hiked to the bronson caves, visited shanes inspiration (the kids loved it), visited Travel Town as well as drove quite a lot of the park.

The only downside is that there is no place nearby to get food for lunch or such..

By Laurence D |

If you go to LA Griffith Park is a must. The views are awesome and the hiking trails can be as challenging as you like. If you want to do it justice set aside a couple of days and really explore every inch.....it is worth it!! We spoke to a wonderful friendly guide at the ranger station and she gave us loads of helpful tips. So it's worth paying them a visit if you've never been there before.

By Liu Y |

I hate this park, it has many entrances, and they didn't connect with each other, there is no main entrance or main park. Google map will guide you to an entrance close to you. I was coming from the north highway, you can never find a big park like the picture. It is so confusing. The people showed the good picture, could you post the exact address of the entrance?

By Lilia6987 |

I've been coming to this park since i was a little girl and was always amazed with the view. It can get crowded sometimes due to the observatory, jut make sure you try to avoid it during eclipses, or some other event going on, Unless that's you're thing .

By Hannah C |

Lots of parking available throughout the park. Great viewing points from near the observatory and the hikes further on are so worth it for the views! Amazing!!

By Umayr Masud |

To get a view of Los Angeles this is the place to be at night. The scale of the city is still unfathomable, but a beautiful quaint place to be. And there are astronomy enthusiasts that have their telescopes and guide and teach you about the stars and galaxies. Fun place to be.

By Wanderer0213 |

We only spent a hour exploring the park mostly to see the Hollywood sign at the observatory, great spot with lots of parking. We were there around 10am on a Saturday and were driving a large SUV, parked close to the observatory with ease. The observatory didn’t open until noon as did the restaurant, so pack water and food if you can’t wait. We seen tons of trails for hiking and biking, amazing views of LA! Beautiful park.

By Ray P |

This review is based entirely on using the park as a viewing point. It is NOT a review of all of the park areas and the Observatory because I did not visit these areas.
Parking at the summit is limited and there are parking space payment meters. These parking meters are signposted as PAY HERE $10 PER HOUR. PAID PARKING ENFORCED. However, the sign also states, in much smaller lettering, that the hourly charge is only enforced Monday-Friday 12:00PM - 10PM and Saturday-Sunday 10AM-10PM. This means that no payment is required if you park outside these times. I noticed that people were paying for parking at 10am on the Tuesday I visited because they did not read the small print and just saw the large $10 PER HOUR text. I'm sure the signs are designed to scam people and it is working! Most people were paying for something they didn't need to pay for!
The views over LA in general are stunning from the summit and well worth the visit.
However, anyone hoping to get a good photo of the Hollywood sign will need to use their zoom. So if you are also hoping to take a photo of someone with the Hollywood sign in the background then forget it because if you zoom in enough to get the sign in shot then the person will be out of focus. There are much better places to photograph the Hollywood sign.

By kmz88 |

It has nice views of LA. Lots of hiking routes around. It can get very hot, so be prepared. Saw some nice woodpeckers and other birds during a hike.

By Gary F |

This is one of my favorite places to just walk around and see greenery and different places to hike or just to take a stroll. It is magical and great for both kids and adults.

By Wander & Wonder |

The Griffith Park is a hiking area on Mount Hollywood where the Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Sign sits. Many visitors and locals go for hike there and stay till evening to watch the LA city lights as the sun sets. Very nice view from here. Also this is where you get real close to the Hollywood sign. Must visit and see.

By fajji2016 |

Beautiful park great views went in Feb a little chilly a must see if in LA definitely a must see if in LA

By DutchintheD |

Very well kept park! Wonderful views of the city and Hollywood sign. Parking was free until noon on the day we visited. Observatory was open later that day but we were able to enjoy the architecture and the exterior markers of the solar system and monuments. Highly recommended.

By 18Kel |

We went up to Griffith Park for the views only, you need to go early to Avoid parking fees, before midday week days and before 10am weekends. The view from the top is great and worth a ride up to the top. Toilet facilities are available at the top if the observatory is closed.

By kathstevens2017 |

A highlight of our visit to LA. Great place for getting amazing photos of Hollywood sign and view over the city. Also enjoyed the gardens around observatory. Gets crowded so plan accordingly. Would love to visit for sunset views and also see inside the observatory itself which was closed when we visited. Great for the whole family.

By Zelby |

We were in LA for 4 or so hours and decided to do Santa Monica and Griffith Park. Griffith Park was a great addition because it gives an overlook of both downtown and the Hollywood sign. The Observatory was a surprise, I didn't know what it was on the inside, and I loved it! The gift shop was very nice. The bus is 50c up AND down the hill.

By Daniel Ferrari |

Highly recomendable visit. Educational shows are great. Views from the hill to LA are incredible. Museum itself great. Observations of moon and planets excellent.
The place is a few miles from downtown and it deserves at least a whole afternoon to appreciate

By Road_Warrior32034 |

A total of 4310 acres was donated to the city of Los Angles by Griffith J. Griffith. We drove through part of it on the way to the Griffith Observatory whlile on a city tour. In addition to a vast array of hiking trails we could see from the bus ride, Griffith Park also contains these additional points of interest;
▪ Autry National Center
▪ Bronson Canyon
▪ Greek Theatre (Los Angeles)
▪ Griffith Observatory
▪ Griffith Park & Southern Railroad
▪ Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
▪ Griffith Park Zoo - closed in 1966 and now used as a hiking and picinicking area
▪ Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum
▪ Los Angeles Zoo
▪ Travel Town Museum
It is an incredible recreation resource for people living or visiting the LA area.

By Anna |

Parking was very hellish but once out it was pretty, hard to see during peak smog times I would guess but midday it is not too bad.

By TulioBourbon |

The park is great, very well mantained and plenty of people to help you to get around. It is very croweded during the day but we were lucky getting a park space by arriving early in the morning. The observatory is not to be missed!

By Grover R |

One of my favorite places on my first trip to LA was Griffith Park so I had to bring my friends. Two of the best things to see in the park are the Griffith Observatory and Mount Hollywood, which is the peak directly opposite the observatory and one of the highest points in the Hollywood Hills, so it has great views of the city. However, Mount Hollywood is not the same peak with the sign, but you do get some great views of the sign hiking between the observatory and the peak. Also parking here, there are public restrooms before you start or when you return.

It is one of the perfect urban hikes at 2.5 miles with 500 feet of elevation gain. There is also free parking if you go early before the observatory opens. We went on the last morning of our vacation so we could make the hike and get back to our hotel to shower before hotel check out. It is great exercise and the best way to start the day.

The day we hiked was not as clear as my first visit, so the views were not as crisp. Despite this the clouds and humidity, you still had great views and this time the moisture meant there was more greenery and flower for the hike. In late March the hike was cool but not cold so simply perfect. Everyone in our group of 12 loved the hike with incredible views of the observatory, downtown and the "Hollywood" sign. I cannot recommend this more, both times it was my favorite activity in LA.

By James W |

Great park to veg out in. the observatory is nice and overall it is easy to get in and out of. beautiful view of the city, especially at night.

By MyersFamilyTravelers |

Nice winding drive or hike to the Griffith Observatory - lots of people and parking. On a clear day you get a great view of the Los Angles sky line and surrounding hills.

By Indah Edlightz |

Griffith park is fantastic!!! so much to see...

Amongst the many things to see here I had to walk through the mt. Hollywood tunnel... this time it was open for pedestrian traffic... fantastic.. if you are fan of Back to the future or Who framed roger rabbit.. come visit when in Griffith park.

By Jennifer H |

If you want to get out into nature and enjoy the view, this is a great place. It can get busy and parked up, but still is nice.

By RudyValentine |

I lived in LA 12 years and from this park, besides the exciting trails you can have, you can look at some of the most beautiful villas of LA, Stunning view of Downtown, and last but not least reach the Gripphit observatory where you have a wide view of LA and Hollywood.

By Andrew K |

I'm shocked Griffith park isn't ranked in the top 5 for things to do in LA, it is easily the best place I went to when I visited.

The park offers the best views of the Hollywood sign, but better yet the views of the city with the observatory in the foreground are absolutely stunning. There is a vast amount of trails in this park, including the trail to the Hollywood sign itself, and it can be quite easy to get lost. I ended up hiking to the top of Mount Hollywood, which was quite tiring on a hot day, but you need not go that far for exceptional views. Within just 30 minutes from the observatory you will be treated to amazing photo opportunities.

I would advise anybody going here to take the Observatory Dash bus. The fee is only $0.35 each way and it drives all the way up to the observatory. The amount of people trying to park here was insane, with many having to park much further down the hill before hiking up to the observatory.

By quarchias |

Never a bad experience. Moving from NY to LA, I compare Central Park and Griffith Park in my mind, nature in a big city, but Griffith Park is really like leaving the city behind. Going to Griffith Park might be more like escaping out of NY to go upstate, but without the two hours it takes to get out of the city. It's a treat.

By 787bevang |

We wanted to walk up to the Hollywood Sign, we did not realise just how big Griffith Park was. Wow what a view from the top. Thoroughly enjoyable and well appointed with trails, highly recommended if you want to get out of the hustle and bustle and get some excercise.

By rjnap1 |

One of the most gorgeous views you can find in LA. You get an awesome view of the entire city and is a perfect place to go with family.

By Cris4412 |

Definitely one of my favorite places in Los Angeles. There's tons of trails for every skill level and it's big enough that it feels like you're away from the city without having to go far. The trails have great views and there's always fun events going on, especially during the summer.

By Dana Los Angeles |

Griffith Park is the Los Angeles version of central park, but not as grand or well planned, and often with traffic and parking challenges. Still a great spot.

By Peanut Butter |

This is free with views of the entire city. It is well worth the trip. Parking does cost $12 but I would highly recommend.

By scott r |

Approached via Ferndell Park - indeed on a Sunday afternoon that itself adds another mile round trip length given that you will park down by the little bear. Did the complete (east + west) loop plus observatory extension. 3 miles total maybe. It's a gentle, but somewhat steep at times hike, with wide paths. (NOT much shade) Except for the western loop, you never really feel 'alone in nature'. Lots of folks. Good views on observatory leg with outcrop. Observatory itself offers great vistas but was completely overrun and overwhelmed with people. Call it a children's museum experience. Enough there that I might give it another shot mid-week sometimes but. Of special note - criticism - is the cafeteria. Great views - deplorable "food". I looked through as I was hungry after the climb, but no way. Go find a taco truck - geez.

By DLCote |

Would love a place like this at home. Countless trails of various lengths and difficulty. Beautiful views. Bronson Caves in many famous films and TV. Would be nice to have some shuttle service around the park.

By gayan1991 |

It is a good place to view city from a hill top and Griffith observatory is nice place to visit if you like sightseeing and great architecture. Unforturenately, I visited on a very hot day. So its hard to stay outside.

By Jordi-cr7 |

What a beautiful place to explore. The place is massive and so much to see. From the Griffith observatory, Old zoo, the LA zoo, Travel Town , etc.. beautiful place during the day, magical views during the night .

By tvguytravels |

Put on your hiking shoes - You will be glad you did! What a beautiful park - amazing 360 views of LA - be sure to stop by Griffith Observatory.

By Melvyn O |

It is really worth to make a trip to Griffith park as it gives the best view of downtown. Not to miss the Observatory and we spent some time there admiring the view.

By JaronTip |

After a short hike, the views are incredible. Come with comfortable shoes and prepare to spend 1-2 hours here.

By E M |

must visit even on the day it closes. We went on Monday, still crazy crowded, but it is so worth it. clean bathroom even on the days it's closed. Thank you so much since we have to hike quite a bit with a young child and it's so hot, so we drink lots of water.

By walid m |

This is an excellent place to spend 2-3 hours in. A huge amount of information is there and the views from the park are superb.

By TamikaNOTG |

If you are looking to get some of the best view in LA, Griffith Park is awesome. It is also a great place to hike, exercise, and picnic. Every time I go to LA I visit Griffith park. Be mindful of the animals in the area.

By Steve G |

Make sure you take the N. Vermont Ave entrance into the park. There is a large paved lot just past the Greek Theater where you can park FREE!. Not a bad walk up to the observatory from there. Amazing astronomy exhibits inside and beautiful views all around the complex.

By AikenJoshAndrew |

If you want no hassle from the traffic and the crowded parking lot specially on weekends.I suggest you take the hiking trail or bike along the paved road . You can also take the public transport that runs every 20 minutes. The best view of Los Angeles during night time is here. It is worth the trip when you get here..

By Mr_Nobody_1979 |

Huge park with plenty to see and do, especially extensive network of hike trails is a highlight. Some famous attractions are within premises of this park too, Hollywood sign and Griffith observatory.

By oasol |

Great to do hinking! Went on a organized tour with a great guide. After this we can do it on ourselves, a lot of opportunities for those who likes hiking. Not very demanding.

By Paul B |

Of course, there really IS no center of LA, which somebody famous once called '85 towns crammed together searching for an identity.' Griffith Park is enormous, offering pleasant hikes, an outdoor train museum, the Greek Theatre and of course, the Observatory. An excellent escape from the concrete chaos....

By JDTravelhome |

Great hike and views of the city. Go for the night views it was even better. If you plan on walking up and down make sure you put on a good pair of shoes.

Well worth checking out!

By bkute65 |

This huge park has something for everyone. Great hikes, you can hike up to the Hollywood sign. The Ferndale side off of Western Blvd. has a quiet stream.

They have the Griffith Observatory which has great shows AND views of the city.

Near the 5 freeway they have pony rides and a train for the little ones. Just take that ride in and you can go to the L A Zoo.

Across from the Zoo is the Autry Museum of the West. It has a wealth of western history and art.

They are also near the carousel and several playgrounds. This park is AWESOME!

By Mary B |

My Dad was born in Glendale, CA and I have been going to this park for over 50 years. Pony rides are closed on Mondays but when they are open it is very fun for kids to ride around the track. There is also a train and snack bar. All are a fair price. The grounds are beautiful and usually crowded on the weekends.

By Matt M |

My friends and I do some hikes here from time to time. Be careful at night considering we had to fight off some Coyotes which was way too similar to Liam Neeson in the Grey for our liking. However, the view is always worth it no matter what kind of Adventure you end up in at Griffith Park. Don't drink in public or smoke a ciggy here though because the Rangers will get you in trouble for that. However, this is the best damn nature escape there is in Los Angeles. A must for travelers and locasls alike.

By ABC |

I have been at night and in the afternoon under full sunlight. I prefer the evening views and the lights of planes coming in or leaving from the LA area airports. But the views at any time of day are breathtaking. Plus you can see the plantarium and the telescope. If you are a fan of movies from La La Land now back to Rebel Without a Cause many decades ago, this also is a must-see.

By Mark M |

Hiked to the Hollywood sign via HollyRidge Trail at Griffith park. Would have liked to hike behind the sign but could not get close from this trail.

By Larry C |

Griffith Park Trails are a Great place to walk; safe, lots of nature (deer, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, owls, hawks & more), plenty of trails, lots of Free Parking. Great views and minutes from downtown Los Angeles. On a clear day (when it has been windy) You can see the Ocean.

By DG |

You know you have hit the jackpot when it’s busy, like really busy so bear that in mind. The other major negative is parking- seriously the rates they charge are an absolute scam hence my review reduced to three stars.
The views are beautiful, panoramic even and the trails great for a casual walk.
Had lunch in the cafe area and that was alright too.
Summary: worth it for the views just be savvy.

By TeamWard |

Griffith park is a sheer delight of Los Angeles, its vast, several trails and landmarks contained within it most notably the Batcave entrance, take plenty of water.

By Barb H |

While I was not that impressed with the park itself, there are many great areas in it with fun things for kids to do (pony rides, train rides, carousel, hiking) as well as horse back riding. We rode our e-bikes and that was pretty cool, and I hear there is great hiking in here as well. There are many areas for picnicking as well, and to have a huge park in the middle of a city is great.

By Edward L |

This was high on our list of a places to visit. It is too bad they are not open during the week so we could go inside. However it is the best place to view LA and the surrounding area.

By Gastelum18 |

This park is huge lots of trees so there is definitely lots of place to sit in the shade while the kids play !

By K-2418 |

Two words...simply Wow...particularly the view. You get a very serene feeling, standing at the top and looking over the view of LA

By miriyamg |

You can hike on a path, or up to the Observatory (for a great view of the Hollywood sign and the surrounding hills). It's a vast, beautiful park with many different trails...and a carousel!

By Got my go shoes on |

Griffith Park is beautiful and has a lot to offer in general. The old LA Zoo is site of many shows/movies such as Jerry McGuire and Anchorman. In fact, while we were there they were filming a Lifetime movie. You can venture around and go in the cages if you like. Beautiful sight for a picnic or leisurely day.

By PickyBaer |

As the evening tempers the heat, there is an effect that causes a light breeze when you stand on the ridge or the balcony of the observatory. The view on most nights, overlooking Los Angeles, is why they call it Angel's Rest. The view is what inspired the cover of the book about Los Angeles-- titled Angel Flights.

By Gabrielle S |

Griffith is one of my favorite parts of living in LA. There are two major things to do in the park: hike (including to the Wisdom Tree, or the Hollywood Sign) or visit the observatory. Both options have wonderful views.

Parking can be tough to get, especially on weekends, so be sure to wear shoes suitable for walking, even if you aren't going on a hike - there's a likelihood that you'll have to park further down the road and walk up the hill to get to the observatory. I recommend eating beforehand or bringing a picnic (even if that just consists of in n out!) as I am not usually impressed by the food at the cafe in the observatory. It's decent, but why spend money on food I don't absolutely love? Especially in LA.

I enjoy the view both during the daytime and at night, and would recommend both if you have several days. If you don't, I recommend visiting in the early morning to avoid the crowds and taking a hike as well.

By Jon A |

Griffith Park is a great place to hike. The Mt. Hollywood hiking trail was moderately challenging and provided incredible views of the Hollywood hills. The trail culminates with two nice vantage points for photo ops with the Hollywood Sign. Very clean trail.

By Holly O |

This is a beautiful area to hike in! There are many places to start, and many different areas to go. If you go when the Griffith Observatory is closed, parking is free in that lot (it’s $6 or $8 to park when it is open) and there is a great trail off the Charlie Turner Trailhead. We’ve also started near Fern Dell Drive where the parking is free. There are trails for every level of hiker. There are some good websites that list the trails. You can get a great hike as a tourist without taking a guided tour.

By fearjac |

We were advised to check this location out prior to planning our vacation to California (driving trip). It didn't seem like much but we are so glad my family made the visit. In fact, it was so cool we went 2 days in a row to take our time to see everything. Whether you enjoy astronomy or not it will entertain anyone. The views alone are spectacular.

Some advice: Go a few hours before nightfall. That way you can see the Hollywood sign (it is not lit up at night). Then when it gets dark, you can partake into the observatory for history on space history. I'm a science geek and loved every corner of the museum. There are several floors with different topics covered. parking is $10/hour at the top but you can take the bus up or park at the bottom of the hill and take the nice 1 mile walk up the path to the top. Your hard work will pay off.

If you go later, be expected to have long line ups with cars. As well, there is Greek theater that holds concerts and other performances throughout the month. Try to time it so you don't go up on those days as parking will be even more challenging to find.

By Mtrob326 |

Ok, my reason for coming here was probably a bit different than most. I was looking for a few hours of trail running in the L.A. area, while also checking out the Hollywood sign. I sort of can’t believe that after nearly 40 years in SoCal, I hadn’t yet visited this landmark in person! I suppose that after a while, it was easy to write it off as “just a tourist thing”.

Starting from a tennis court parking lot opposite Roosevelt Muni Golf Course, a steep trail leads to a ridge overlooking Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills and the city of Burbank to the north and Los Angeles and the Griffith Observatory to the south. From there it connects to a wide dirt road that winds to the west toward the Hollywood sign.

I figured I’d return to my starting point by descending the steep dirt road that leads southwest to Canyon Dr, then follow the trail northeastward until I’d completed a loop. Well, I DID get to see the “Batcave” (a la Batman TV series), but the “trail” to the northeast led up the wall of a steep rocky bowl. So much for trusting maps, even ones based on satellite images!

All-in-all, though, it was a fun adventure, one that I’m glad I experienced. And plenty of workout.

By Gary T |

This is a beautiful park that you'll pass through on the was up to the observatory. It is worth a visit on it's own merit.

By jeffalanj |

Primarily came here to go to the observatory. Nice scenery and view of LA. I would recommend it for anyone visiting LA for the 1st time. Did the planetarium in the Griffith Observatory. Enjoyed that too.

By Partera60 |

The observatory is a must-see in LA and I've been there several times. It can get pretty crowded so I recommend off-times. You used to be able to park along the road leading up to the top but last year they installed parking pay stations so no more free parking. There aren't enough restrooms and the park rangers have been rude and ungracious. BUT these views are the best so make the trip anyways. There's some good hiking in the area if you'd like, so bring water, a compass and good shoes

By Leesa D |

Very beautiful day in December, lots of people out and about it was crowded in the areas where you could see the Hollywood sign up close but on the trails it wasn't that crowded. The hiking is not that hard and there is no water on the trails so bring your own.

By Jean C |

Extremely interesting exhibits and talks. Planetarium shows worth paying for . Wonderful views and trails round about. . Restaurant a bit pricy.

By Edward |

Griffith Park is a huge park in the Hollywood hills which separate central Los Angeles and Hollywood from the San Fernando Valley. It encompasses much of that range and is reputedly the largest urban park and open space in the United States. It has numerous hiking trails, trails for bicycle riding, and horseback riding, and other amenities. It also is home to the iconic Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory.

One can reach the park many ways, including by driving into the partly, but traffic and parking can be problematic. We avoid driving and take the DASH Observatory bus which makes a circuit through part of the park to and from Vermont and Sunset, where the is a Metro station, making it quite convenient to get to the park that way.

The bus stops at, among others, the Greek Theatre, Mt Hollywood Dr on the far side of the Mt. Hollywood Tunnel, and Griffith Observatory. At Mt Hollywood Dr, there is immediate access to several hiking trails which go through the park, and also Mt. Hollywood Dr, generally open only to hiking,etc., and not to automobile traffic. This is one route to take to hike to the Hollywood Sign, and connects directly to a trail which goes up above, and behind, the sign, or to the Mulholland Trail, also used for horseback tours, which takes one to just below, and in front of, the sign. Depending on how fast one does it, the hike to and from the sign, starting at the Mt. Hollywood Dr bus stop near the observatory, should probably take between about 50 minutes to an hour and half each way. The area affords nice views of Los Angeles as well.

By wallyreidjr |

I visit Los Angeles twice a year and every time I visit Griffith Park, from hiking ( give at least one trail a try) to the observatory to the Hollywood sign to the reservoir, the views priceless and spectacular, parking below which is easier, if you elect to park at the observatory get there early since it fills up very quickly, it's a must see or you have seen Hollywood at all

By Evangelos T |

Various hiking paths . From easy to professional levels. Choose your path and make sure you have sunblock and water.

By Karen P |

This is amazing -Central Park eat your heart out. Try the pony rides or horse rental, the Gene Autry museum is incredible., world class zoo, train city is amazing, just the drive in the park is like you are in the wilderness

By David E J |

Huge park. Lots to see and do. Probably need to devote an entire day if you want to see it all. Great views from the top.

By Debbie M |

We paid the outrageous $15 per hour parking fee in order to use the trails open during COVID to hike towards the Hollywood sign. Despite all of the warnings to remain hydrated, there were ZERO places to buy water or refill bottles along the hiking trails. Rstrooms were open at the observatory level, but that was the only amenity available. Hike to the sign was fairly easy and would have been enjoyable had it not been the hottest day of the year (over 100 degrees before 11am) with no water options available. Would definately try more trails on a return trip with better planning.

By cagatravel |

Great trails to choose, some lead up to Observatory (Only rest room & water facility) or Hollywood sign. A number of free parking areas to leave car-seemed safe.

By AlexH0lmes |

A lovely park, and fairly easy walk uphill. The Griffith Observatory is about halfway and busy with tourists, but if you keep heading up, things quieten down. Top of the hill overlooking the Hollywood sign, a lovely place to see the sun go down. Take a torch - after the sun goes, it get dark quickly and tricky to find the right paths beyond the observatory.

By מוטי ל |

the main attractive of the park is of course griffith observatory. this is the best spot to see the mythological holywood sign

By JD C |

We weren't sure how to get up to the Observatory since amber signs indicated that the parking lot was full. We did find a parking spot along Vista del Valle drive and it turns out we were right by the Boy Scout Trail head which leads up to the Observatory. The hike is a short, but somewhat steep 0.6 mile (we're senior citizens). There are views of the city and the Hollywood sign. The Observatory itself is educational... but it was crowded on the weekend. The cafe was horrible -- served ice-box cold hot dogs and the person behind the counter would neither heat the hot dog nor offered an exchange for a warm hot dog. Literally left a bad taste in our mouths.

By Jose L |

We parked in the free parking area east of the Griffith Observatory and googled mapped the Captain's Roost hike. It took about 30-40min. It's uphill so it can be a bit challenging if you have kids but it's not impossible either. Once you reach the top you get amazing city views, a view of the Hollywood sign and a view of the Griffith Observatory too (see pictures below). It's a great way to do something free and fun in LA. Bring water!

By M @ worldtravel |

Highlights & watch outs:

1 - what a view, city, Hollywood sign all in one spot
2 - iconic (James Dean, many other movies…)
3 - free parking before midday :-)
4 - great to hike around as well…

Watch outs
1 - can get really busy
2 - watch opening times…
3 - watch right weather for great photos

By Altius10 |

Drove up here to get a view of the Hollywood sign. Parking was definitely at a premium - but the park itself is beautiful. Walking trails and picnic areas provide some nice options.

By momwithplan |

We were visiting LA area and put Griffith park as one of the destinations. Our family enjoyed the hike up to the Observatory very much. Family-friendly trail (Ferndell) with nice shade for the most part of it. The elevation quickly went up towards the last section (maybe 10 minutes or so) but the view was well worth it!
We also checked out the Pony Ride where my kids enjoyed so much they went 4 rounds.
I only took off a star because the public restrooms are not well maintained and are quite dirty. Some water fountains are not functioning well. So plan your visit accordingly.

By Kathy M |

After traveling up the entire mountain, not a parking space to be had...from the bottom to the top, ended up driving back down without being able to get the actual Observatory.

By Kevin C |

GP is about 6-1/2 square miles of great hiking. It's hot in summer, but in winter is when it really gets great. Hike to Mt Hollywood, Cahuenga Peak, Mt Lee, or even to the observatory, on a warm clear winter afternoon, and see the sun shining off the ocean. At sunset the show gets even better, since in winter the sun sets over the ocean instead of behind the mountains, and elevation coupled with the the low horizon produces the best sunsets I know of. Wait until the sky near the horizon breaks into prism bands to display a horizontal rainbow.

By hmill42894 |

My friend and I drove through the park first, but there was nowhere to park, so we decided to come back the next morning. We got there early, and parked at the bottom in the free parking area. We did the mile walk up to the observatory, and it was a nice little hike. Everything was so green and it wasn't too hot, and it was a perfect day weather wise. It wasn't too crowded when we started, though it did get more crowded as the day went on. If you're going to go to the observatory, I suggest walking through the park is the way to go because it's free and a great nature hike!

By Anthony G |

This Observatory has been around for quite some time, but the attraction has only improved over the period of time of its existence. Even the magnificent views of Los Angeles are impressive, to say the least. The viewing and information are exemplary and plenty of convenient parking as well.

By JessiAnn85 |

This was quite a hike but well worth it. Pack a good amount of water and a hat! The trail is mostly dirt until you reach the road that takes you to the back of the Hollywood sign. The views throughout the hike are beautiful. Once you reach the back of the sign you can climb this little area and do a panorama shot to get the entire sign. Theres also a seismology monitor at the top which is pretty cool.

By Keith M |

The last time I was in Griffin Park with well over 20 years ago as a kid, I was pleasantly surprised to see that is still very rustic and country like and the city has spent money on the Jean archery Museum the LA zoo the travel center and is kept up the park

By Flyer780991 |

Griffith park is basically ok. You can see shows there. You also can see gays screwing in the bushes. Not a place for kids. Doubt I'll ever go back.

By Gonen2014 |

Griffith Park is a mountainous park in the heart of L.A. that offers visitors dozens of hiking trails along with city views, provided the sight is good and the city is not covered in smog. It is recommended to spend at least half a day or more in the park. The park also has the Griffith Observatory, and it's also an interesting site to visit.

By 1Harry Donnelly! |

A beautiful place, marred only by the pony rides. This is the wrong way to teach children about animals. There are plenty of animal refuges in the area that a child’s growing brain can absorb of the true purpose of animals, as compared to being spoon fed cruelty with the rides. Thank you very much.

By Gillian H |

The place was lovely, many vistas from the building itself and also in the carpark area of the Hollywood sign and LA. Enjoyed the interior, too, many interesting facts to keep your attention for an hour of two.

By Dear Virginia |

The views from here are amazing!! So many choices of hikes, sights but it’s so large you really need to read go ahead of time and have a clear plan. Be prepared for walking & dress in layers if winter/spring.

The drive & parking were heavily congested from both main entrances heading upwards observatory at 10am on a Saturday.

By TravelingSoccerLoon |

Vast natural area in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking Los Angeles serving as a city park. Many hiking trails and great views of the city but also the location of many of the top sites in LA including the Griffith Park Observatory, the Greek Theater, Autrey Museum of the American West, Forest Lawn Cemetery and the Los Angeles Zoo. This is also where you will find the iconic Hollywood Sign. I visited the outstanding Observatory one morning but also returned at sunset as the views overlooking the LA all the way out to the Pacific Ocean are amazing at this time. Beware that it is very crowded at this time and forget about parking here. Take the public bus from the free lot near the Greek Theater but arrive an hour before sunset or else the bus will be caught in paralyzing traffic. I also had a wonderful experience hiking to behind the Hollywood Sign along the 4.5 mile out and back Innsdale Trail that connects to Mt Lee Drive. Very popular activity so arrive early to find a parking spot as it is limited and there will be fewer on the trail.

By PlannerJo |

This place had a wonderful view of the city of Los Angeles. It is colder here than downtown, so make sure to bring a jacket if you get cold easily. We went to see a show in the Planetarium, which was good. I would recommend this for couples and families.

By Diane B |

This is a must-do if you are visiting Los Angeles. Up on top of the hill away from the city you can experience the amazing views and the vast valley below. Almost 360 degrees of views. View of the Hollywood sign also.
You get a chance to be out in the natural beauty of this part of California and enjoy the great outdoors. You can take a hike or bike on one of the many trails.

Public restrooms and running water are available.
There is a parking lot at the top where the observatory is located and metered parking on the road side going up the hill.

The observatory is free but you may need to pay for parking. It opens about noon on weekdays but the park opens in the morning.

By wsimon2017 |

I realy enjoyed the park, great views of the skyline of LA, seen some animals running around and most of the people spoke to offer greetings that evening.

By christine r |

A very big park great for a day out, there is a bird sanctuary if you can find the birds take water with you there is no food out let's but there are toilets

By Alex J |

The dirt running paths are great on their own. Knowing that they come smack dab in the middle of the city and can whisk you away from the noises of traffic and the demands of daily life makes them all the sweeter. There are also a number of paved roads good for bicycling, some that are currently closed to cars. Get out there!

By Spertronic |

This little slice of nature is an important respite form the craziness of LA. I've known dear, bears, and even mountain lions to cross through the park. Fantastic place to visit to make sure you learn to like LA.

By WoodridgeGreg |

Not much up there other than a nice view of LA. It was so crowded, had to park and take a shuttle bus to the observatory. The observatory was ok but I am not a big fan of planetariums. A long time to take in a good view.

By fireangel616 |

The Observatory Outside: If you can get up there on a day the smog is not to bad then it is the most beautiful view of Hollywood and LA you will ever see. The hiking trails that take you up the hill even higher are amazing and can even lead you to the Hollywood sign if you know how to get there.

If you want something a little less dramatic you can always stroll through Ferndell along the stream or just run around the old zoo grounds. For fun you can take the kids to the merry-go-round which was always one of my favorites as an adult kid. There is also train town there for people who love very old American Heavy Metal. But if you are more the cow boy type there use to be a horse rental place that takes you all over the park on horse back. I am not sure if it is still there but it was a lot of fun for an afternoon.

My favorite was going to the Observatory (inside). I lived down in Studio City for a short time and when ever I could I would go up there and play with all the displays and read all the info with wonder. It is great for science geeks and amateurs alike.

If none of this sounds like your kind of thing there is always the Greek Theater. The theater there has seen countless famous performers from Harry Belafonte to Neil Diamond to the Indigo Girls. I had the chance to see some great concerts there on warm summer nights.

By Mattias E |

Great views of LA. Worth the visit just to get away from the city. Lots of nice paths for a run or a walk.

By 786malgorzatac |

Griffith Park is the best place to see LA from above. Excellent view, can be very romantic at the sunset. Plus you have the Hollywood sign "right there" (perfect option to take good photos of it!) and Observatory (even if it would be just a short visit, it is worth every minute of your time!!!). Parking can be problematic (number of spaces upstairs is limited, but there is a lot of street parking available, however it can take you a good walk to get there on top). Hiking there is good, too!

By Greg |

Definitely something to see and do whilst in Los Angeles. Enjoyed walking through the park, up the slopes and hills to get good views of the Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Sign. Recommend visiting the Trail Cafe too for a great piece of freshly homemade pie. Something which can act as an end reward after a solid hike through the woods!

By TPAT75 |

This is a great park for shorter or longer hikes and the views over LA are just great. We hiked first from the Observatory to Mt. Hollywood and from there to Mt. Lee behind the Hollywood Sign and from there down via Burbank Peak / Wonder View Trail. I totally recommend this hike but there are several other routes you can also take.

By Mallorcababe |

Nice to come here before sunset to take beautiful view of LA. But be ready to pay 8 dollars for 1 hour parking. 1 hour is not enough though to enjoy the Park and Observatory.

By Sander |

Parking might be tricky also because it is prepaid 10 dollar per hour. After that you will get a view on LA and the Hollywood sign. The museum is also interesting, with video shows, meteorites, explanation about the universe and time on earth.

By Claire M |

Lovely park with great walks and views. Make sure to find the old zoo where there are still some cages for a glimpse into the past.

By kdevgun |

Definitely worth visiting as you see amazing views of the City of Angels. Been both in the day and the evening, and it doesn't fail to impress - you see LA from a different perspective and appreciate it for it's natural beauty and cosmopolitan feel. Recommend!

By Admcck |

We visited on a weekend and the car park at the top as well as the road up was full. We parked for free in a field at the bottom of the road up. If you cant make the climb up the hill you can get disabled parking at the top or drop off the less able passengers and the go down and park.
There is lots to see apart from the view of the Hollywood sign, with displays and a pay for planetarium show (well worth it)

By Fearless730216 |

Griffith Park is an amazing place--it has the Griffith Observatory, The Gene Autry Western Museum and tons of hiking and walking adventures. Plan to spend the whole day, but decide what you want to do before you get there!

By Sergio B. |

We have been there many times, you must go if you are visiting LA for a great picture of the city and the Hollywood sign. Beware: on the weekends road to reach the Observatory is normally closed due to no place to park. you may chose to leave your car on the bottom and walk up - it may take you 20-30 minutes depending where you parked! I strongly recommend!

By Darth Amador |

It might take people sometime to get to Griffith Park. The observatory is located near by and also has multiple place for people to look at views of the city. I recommend visiting at night as during the day it my be smoggy.

By James G |

Parked on one of the hills and had a 15-20 minute walk to the top. Once you reach the observatory there are conveniently placed toilets and water fountains, also Wi-fi but it didn't seem to work when we were there. Views are incredible and make the long hike well worth it. Would definitely recommend!

By lilianasmith |

It is a park with an observatory, they explain to you in detail how telescopes work, as well as the movements of the planets, how we understand and visualize the universe. This is also where you get very close to the Hollywood sign. You have to put this on your visit list!!!

By SJW2012 |

We were staying on the southern edge of Greater LA (in Mission Viejo) and it took almost 2.5 hours to reach Griffith Park by car due to the traffic. We parked on a street (N Commonwealth Ave) and walked to the Observatory. There were great views of the city and of the iconic Hollywood sign. We then continued up a well-signposted trail to the summit of Mt Hollywood and back to the car via the Hogback Trail. Overall it took us a little under 3 hours - including a decent stop at the Observatory. The trails were easy to follow and moderate difficulty. Overall, we had a great time - despite getting a ticket for facing the wrong way when parking on the street 🙄

By LearnersPermit |

If going for the night views expect traffic. There is quite a bit of parking though and traffic moves efficiently.

By NUROKUR |

Amazing view of LA; Worth a visit; Close to the Holywood sign;
The place is really quite big in an accessible location.

By Jacinthe |

Really nice Hike with a guide, with stunning views of the city. I highly recommend. You can also go to the Griffith Observatory which is free.

By jenjerliz |

Visit the top of Mount Hollywood and the Griffith Observatory Do not drive! Take the shuttle bus for fifty cents from the Sunset and Vermont station. Door to door service rather than a long uphill hike. Even if you are not into astronomy, the view is spectacular. And if you are a budding astronomer, the movie presentation is excellent. Bring your own food. Cafeteria was out of food when we were there.

By JJK456 |

The hiking here is good, but crowded. They have recently started charging for parking. Be careful of the rattle snakes on the hiking trail, mostly young and small ones basking in in the sun.

By DT355 |

The world does not need another review of the Observatory. I rented a road bike to tour Griffith Park. This allowed me to see much more of the park with limited time. There are well-marked bicycle lanes on many of the roads. It is a good work out with plenty of hills to challenge you. Some of the roads are in rough shape with lots of rocks and pot holes so be sure to be alert and possibly consider a hybrid or mountain bike instead of a road bike if you are going to get adventurous. I had to stop briefly for a Showtime TV show shoot but then got to ride through the set. This was very interesting. There are adequate rest room facilities and water on most of the routes but bring enough for your ride, especially if it is warm and sunny. Given the limited opportunities to ride in the city, this is a fun ride.

By Mrs_B_Perth |

My husband and I hiked through some of the trails in Griffith Park to make our way up to the Observatory to see the views of Los Angeles and to see the Hollywood sign. There are many different paths that you can take up to the top. We took our time to take in the views and the scenery along the way.

When we got to the top, the Observatory wasn't open as we were too early, but we still were able to take in the views from around the Observatory.

By JohnRyan724 |

So much to do and see here....picnics, biking, hiking, golf, a great zoo, Travel Town; Griffith Park is a great place....go there! Almost everything is FREE.

By JaMack |

Great place to visit for any occasion. Excellent views of downtown Los Angeles an the Hollywood sign.

By Dean A |

There are so many trails and viewpoints - download the free map. Most of the trails are easy enough - there are steep sections, but most can be avoided by taking a different route. Take time to enjoy this place, it's not what you'd expect so close to Los Angeles.

By AAHolt |

Good views of the Los Angeles (LA) skyline but the number of people and cars, and therefore the amount of traffic, is crazy. Parking is difficult. You are better off parking further away, and even that can be a challenge, and then taking the shuttle into the park. Get there EARLY. Expect to do some walking. If you have mobility challenges and you want to take pictures of the LA skyline, it would probably be more effective for you to go to the observatory rather than to the park to take the pix.

By MarcosVellinho |

Just like the observatory, depending on the time you arrive, be prepared for some uphill walking, as the parking will probably the full. But still for sure, it is worth the awesome view!

By Naptime17 |

As Midwesterners visiting LA, we’ve visited Griffith Park a couple of times in the morning and found it to be a peaceful way to start the day.

We hiked up a couple of miles, leaving my parents at the little garden near Dante’s View.

Be ready to dodge some dog poop (and horse poop), but the views of Los Angeles more than make up for this.

Parking at the Observatory is free until noon, so this is a great spot to start a hike.

By Steve |

Living DIRECTLY across the river from Griffith Park for over 30 years has taught me to appreciate a few things. 1st...It is the Largest Muni Park in the World!! Oh yeah over 4,000 acres. From Travel Town Train Museum to the North, 5 Fwy on the East, Los Feliz Blvd (kinda) South and then Western Blvd on where else? The West! What can you do Here? Name it The Griffith Park has it regardless of LA City has tried to do! There is Horse/Bicycle riding, Hiking (Be Careful), The Zoo, Gene Autry Western Museum (My Fav) as I mention Travel Town which no matter how old you are is a great attraction! There is a very small pony ride place at the Riverside Drive entrance by the East end. This is where you also access all of the above. Now the Middle, which has the Observatory (see my other review on this) the Greek theater which is where concerts rage during the warmer months because it is outside. And finally there was or is Fern-Dale. which use to be a lovely walk in a semi-tropical forest area off of Western Blvd entrance. It has fallen in disrepair. But people line up to get water from a natural spring...Yeah Right it is LA City Water folks. Go to the main attractions during the day and the Observatory at night. Stay in public areas and if you see people you'd rather not be with. Then don't get out of your car!!!

By TraceyNottag |

we visited here twice, as part of our 6 hour LA City Tour and again at the end of a hike up to see the sign. Interesting place, free entry with the usual expensive gift shop and restaurant

By Rogerdob |

This park is big...there are many sections...golf course, playgrounds, and hiking. However, some areas are inundated with homeless people camping in bushes with their junk all about...these areas did not feel safe...or sanitary...we had children with us and we saw a totally (and I mean totally) nude man walking around with everything hanging out! Stay out of these areas!

By 913suzys |

Beautiful hiking trail with lots of beautiful trees and flowers. We didn’t hike all the way to the observatory but it is well worth it!!

By Rxmandy |

Great for hiking, has an awesome view of Downtown and the Hollywood sign. The park is entirely free!

By MarcinDrP |

I wish I was there at night... I was not... so, we walked around the park and... it is a nice park... though... at night it would have been much better...

By mozayumm |

Has tons of parking.
Different trails for hiking.
Rangers patrolling area!
Friendly hikers :)
Overall great place!

By Gints K |

Amazing Park to relax and to see Los Angelos from top. We started the trip from Los Angelos Zoo by ascending to the top of hill - there are water refill stations with fresh tasty water if you get thirsty. At the top of the hill, it was quiet, and you could relax watching eagles. As you get closer to Griffith observatory, you start to see sign of Hollywood. And from Griffith observatory there is a bus free of charge that will take you to the metro station. Griffith Park info station was kind of open, but nobody was inside, so it was more like on self-serve basis.

The fun fact - after walking and walking around the park at the end we stumbled on a sign which warned about rattle snakes in park, but we did not see any snakes.

By L A |

Griffith Park is larger than New York's Central Park. Most of the park is the natural setting of the mountainous areas with plenty of hiking trails, picnic spots, quaint places to rent for a special day. If you are so included, you can head all the way up to the Observatory as well - a true LA icon.

By Junnaid |

The Griffith Observatory is a facility in Los Angeles, California, sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles' Griffith Park.

One of the best views of Hollywood Icon On the mountains can be seen. It has some space images and museum which has a best of it's kind. The scintillating view captures your moments.

By craig1086 |

Came up here just before leaving L.A. It's the best view point to see all of L.A. However, if you want the Hollywood sign, you're better off going to Lake Hollywood park, as it is far off in the distance here. Plenty of parking, for a fee, or on the cuhrb for free as you go up the hill. Easy to get to.

By Samantha |

Must see in person! No review can justify the amazing views Griffith park offers! Day or night, you will be satisfied!

By Allyson G |

My friend and I Uber'd to the park which was a very easy option. There are plenty of places for a quick pick up/drop off here.
There are nice options for hiking once you get to the park. We took a trail that was higher intensity on the way up and then found a more groomed path for the way down. The trails were well tended and there are trash cans along the way to help keep the space clean. We enjoyed great views of downtown LA as well as the Hollywood sign. You can really make this hike as long or short as you'd like and would still enjoy nice views.

By Robbert L |

Magnificent views over LA! Depending on the moment of the day (hazy, smoggy, sunset, etc) views may differ but absolutely worth it. The planetarium/observatory is interesting but the majority of the visitors is there for the views.

By tuli763 |

We rode bikes we checked out of our hotel to the park.....only to discover it’s not that kind of park, meaning we got there but couldn’t just ride around the park. You could risk your life riding in the few narrow roads, or maybe if we had planned better found a place to leave the bikes and go walking. Not really bike paths..... plus lots of hills! Most people seemed to drive to the part of the park they wanted to be at and parked there.

By FM6565 |

A simple stroll or a multi-hour hike are a perfect complement to visiting the observatory.
I visited the park multiple time, and always liked it. Next: see the views at night.

By Jazmin |

The views from Griffith Park and the observatory were wonderful, however make sure you have reliable internet connection as when you leave the observatory you won't be able to find any wifi if you need to look up buses or Ubers. My sister and I made the mistake of hiking from Griffith Observatory to the Old LA Zoo and got stuck at the information centre as we couldn't contact an Uber.

By Mary D |

I hiked from Roosevelt's cafe (grabbed a sandwich for the trip) at the bottom up to the observatory then up to the top of Mt. Hollywood, and finally over to the Hollywood Sign. The sign is not on Mt. Hollywood, so if you are going to do one or the other, this is helpful to know. Once you leave the observatory there are no bathrooms or places to get water, so go at the observatory and take plenty of water with you. I recommend a bar or small snack as well. Bring a camera for fantastic photos. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Trails are a bit slick from dust, but otherwise, well maintained. Layer so that you can take things off when you get warm, but have a long sleeve ready for the times when the wind blows.

By Jeroen |

Some real nice hiking to be done here. nice views of the city, Hollywood sign. Managed to run into a pack of 6 coyote also, they were gone so fast haha.

By Camper801606 |

So much to do ! I started with a hike to Mount Hollywood, which is an easy hike, but can get hot early, so dress accordingly and bring water. Next was the Griffiths Observatory. Super interesting, and worth a visit ! Last for day was Bette Davis Park to cool off a little... This is just a fraction of what you can do !

By Ashley S |

Ive visited all the parks big and small in L.A area and I love Griffith Park the most. You have endless trails to hike within the park and you can always find some seclusion any time of the year here. Its a huge park and inside you will find all worthwhile attractions of the L.A Zoo, Autry Museum and the Observatory. There is also a great little cafe near the entrance called the Trails, here you will find yummy pie and date milk. A little expensive but worth the splurge if your visiting. I love this park.

By Madrewith3kids |

If you don’t want to hike up
to the observatory you can drive up there and there’s a parking lot right next to it. You can see the Hollywood sign from up there. It’s not close but it’s viewable. Bring a picnic blanket and pack a lunch. It’s a perfect place to lay on the green space and just relax while watching the sunset.

By Diana L |

Hayride closed down due to lightning storm and potential injury/fatality if lightning strikes the metal tractors. Had to be evacuated immediately off the ride before it even started.
0/10 do not recommend. Staff unhelpful with refunds.

By Shanelle |

Popular recreational area with a bunch of interconnecting hiking trails. Some of the trails are out-and-back, but you have the option of taking a quick hike or extending your trail to take up a full day. The trails are exposed so bring lots of water and wear sunscreen. The trails are popular, particularly on weekends, so try getting there earlier. There are a few picnic tables/benches scattered around. No bathrooms unless you head over to the Observatory. Dogs are allowed on leashes.

There are parking lots by the Greek Theater (free) as well as street parking, or you can park up by the Observatory ($15 per hour). There’s a separate lane for ride share so you could get dropped off in front of the Observatory (currently closed during covid). You could chill at one of the green spaces and have a picnic (Jitlada is only a 1.5 mi/10 min drive away!) or just enjoy some urban nature. You can see the hollywood sign or take in views of Downtown or Burbank (assuming there’s no smog or wildfire smoke). Griffith Park is LA’s answer to Central Park, and good for both locals and tourists alike.

By DonPedro93 |

It is huge, full of hiking trails to do, and places to visit, not forgetting the view from the observatory. It is essential when visiting Los Angeles.

By yfarm |

This is a beautiful park and L.A. is very lucky Mr Griffith donated this land. However, this hike is not for the unprepared! I saw many tourist out with no water, wearing sandals, carrying small children, etc. The trail is very hot, sunny, dusty, and long. Do yourself a favor and only hike this trail if you are prepared or sign up for a guided hike!

By Astrid Ellis |

The park lays above the city and offers many trails to go hiking and exploring the hills. It gives you stunning views overlooking the city and its skyline while being in nature. The amazing surroundings allow you to forget the hustle and bustle of the city.
Great views of the Hollywood Sign!

By elizhar76 |

I walked up from the Los Feliz side as I was staying on N Western Avenue.
The paths are nice and wide and it's a pretty easy walk up to the Griffith Observatory. If you want more of a challenge, you need to go visit Runyon Canyon.
There are some great views of LA from the Observatory (I didn't go inside). There were quite a few people there on a Sunday afternoon.

By Melissa Q |

Griffith Park has something for everyone. Spectacular views and amateur and expert hiking trails. Beware of what trail you are on because some can be rocky and steep!

By Rochelle F |

Massive park but we went there for the playground for our 3 year old grand nephews. It is a wonder place for kids, if a bit hard to find in the park. There are so many great activities here and the kids had a ball (we wanted them to run around before starting the next leg of our journey).

By Andy D |

Went there for the first time what a wonderful park. So many trails and beautiful scenery. A great way to enjoy a day outdoors.

By Marcie A |

We had a wonderful hiking experience here. We chose the easier path as we are not as experienced but it was amazing! Such beautiful views and excellent photo ops. A very beautiful area to visit!

By Taylor B |

Griffith Park in Los Angeles is the largest urban wilderness municipal park in the United States. With over 4,300 acres of natural Chaparral-covered terrain and landscaped parkland and picnic areas, it is filled with hiking trails, trees trains and attractions, from the Hollywood Sign to the Griffith Park Observatory to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens to the Autry Museum of the American West to the Greek Theatre to Travel Town. There is something for everyone. To see it all, or at least most of it, hop on the Griffith Parkline, which offers convenient transportation for the park's 10 million annual visitors. The bus runs from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and delivers passengers to more than a dozen locations. Among the most interesting are the 133-acre zoo, which was founded in 1966 and is home to more than 2,100 animals representing over 270 species; the Griffith Observatory, which dates to 1935 and offers some of the best views of Los Angeles, from the Pacific Ocean to Downtown; the 45-foot-tall, 350-foot-long Hollywood Sign; the 5,900-seat Greek Theatre, one of Los Angeles' premier outdoor venues; the Autry Museum of the American West, which realized legendary recording and movie star Gene Autry's dream to build a museum to exhibit and interpret the heritage of the West and showcase its influence on the United States and the world; and Travel Town Museum, which focuses on the history of railroad transportation in the western United States from 1880 to the 1930s. Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Griffith Park is located on the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountain range and Hollywood Hills, just west of the Golden State Freeway or I-5, between Los Feliz Boulevard on the south and the Ventura Freeway on the north. Hiking is one of the most popular forms of recreation in the park with a 53-mile network of trails, fire roads and bridle paths. One trail leads from the observatory parking lot to the top of 1,625-foot Mount Hollywood, the park's highest point.

By 1bloodyfool |

The place is really quite big in an accessible location. Great pony rides, mini-train and a zoo! Very pleasant environment and enjoyable day spent.

By MS11M22S |

We came to Griffith Park on a Sunday morning to partake in Cars & Coffee which occurs every month (last Sunday of the month). It’s advertised online.
It was a lovely Sunday morning, easy to park & walk over to see a good selection of old and well loved vehicles from the US as well as a large number of imports.
The vehicle owners were all very approachable & are clearly passionate about their cars with some immaculately presented vehicles.
We spent about 90mins there, under the cool protection of the trees. A lovely morning!

By SFowler |

It took trying on two evenings to get a place to park. The hike up is not suitable for everyone so we needed to park closer. Both nights the main parking area was full, but we were able to park on the approaching road on the second try. The museum is informative and interesting. The views are amazing. You must go at sunset.

By Nir A |

What a hike.
Went up to mt. Hollywood for the sunset.
It was very nice.
Also the hike was nice and challanging...
Dont miss the star view at night...

By danielle m |

Griffith Park is very large and right in the heart of Los Angeles. It has multiple hiking trails and picnic areas for everyone. It is popular with cyclists especially on the weekends. You can also go horse back riding! There is also an area with trains that the kids can explore. There is a great hike that will take you all the way up to the Observatory. The hiking trails get very crowded on the weekends. There is something for everyone here!!

By HBRox |

We spent so long trying to park that it got dark and we couldn't see the Hollywood sign. It's not very well organised and there is nowhere near enough parking. We went in the quiet season too, I can't imagine what it's like in the summer.

By jehenson81 |

This park has a little bit of everything in it. There are picnic areas, a playground, hiking trails, a theater and of course, the iconic Griffith Observatory. There is even a cafe and nature center on the west side of the park. There are also three parking lots and street parking. The parking lot down by the nature center is free all the time and I was able to find a spot there at 9am on a Saturday morning and there were still some spots at 11:30 when I left (for some reason people were ignoring the lots and looking for street parking). The trails are nice and wide, though I would have appreciated more signage. I had a great time.

By Karen Cierra |

You have a great view of the LA city, plus information about space, plus you get to see the Hollywood sign, and you can walk closer

By Tino |

We probably chose the wrong day as it was Easter and it was absolutely mobbed but what a day and what great views we loved it .

By Robert Masson |

We have been here several times for hiking trips and nature walks. the facility has a lot of great infrastructure like picnic tables, BBQs, play structures for the kids and of course a lot of great hiking trails. Most of them are pretty steep so choose carefully if you have young children or older family members.

By kirschsandra |

Most amazing view of LA from balconies and terraces.
Watch planets, stars and satellites with telescope and explained entirely by experts. Take time to attend at least one presentation. Visit Leonard Nimoy theater. Interact, touch, experience science by yourself and the kids will love you!!!

By Henry S |

I hike here all the time and it is just amazing how L.A. can fit not only a diverse city but also an enormous park that represents the city. It offers multiple of trails that challenge you, make hiking enjoyable, and can offer beautiful sceneries.

By angelbear425 |

Went on a busy Saturday afternoon, but it was still very nice to see and walk around a bit. There is so much to do and even more to see. If you're a movie buff, don't forget to look up in advance to see what has been filmed here.

By AB_Stb_OZ |

This park around the Griffith Observatory provides opportunities for nice walks. Liked to explore the environment and combined our visit to this park with the near located Barnsdall Art Park,

By Redgenz |

Get here early to get a car park.
We arrived early in the morning and it was nice and quiet.
You get a great view of the Hollywood Sign and the views of LA from the observatory are great.

By HeidiWannaTravel |

Griffith Park is large with many attractions like the LA Zoo, Griffith Observatory and the theater. No problem parking at the zoo and we came to the observatory on a tour. I'm sure parking can be a challenge when busy.