Griffith Park & Los Feliz
Griffith Park and Los Feliz: the back story
The back story
About Griffith Park and Los Feliz: the back story
Griffith Park covers the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains. Griffith J. Griffith gave the land to the city in 1896, and left money in his will for the Observatory, which opened in 1935.
The Observatory
Griffith Observatory is open late most evenings, with telescopes, a planetarium and views from the ocean to downtown.
The trails
Trails climb from the Observatory towards Mount Hollywood. Carry water and avoid the midday heat.
Griffith Observatory is the best viewpoint in the city for the Hollywood Sign.
Los Feliz
Below the park, Los Feliz has cafés, bars such as The Dresden and the Greek Theatre on Vermont Avenue.
Our advice: hike in the late afternoon and stay at the Observatory for sunset.
Why it's on our list
- The Observatory
- The trails
- Los Feliz
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Griffith Park and Los Feliz: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Griffith Park and Los Feliz: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- Griffith Observatory1.2 miWalk 23 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Hollywood Bowl2.4 miCycle 16 minCar or taxi 13 min
- TCL Chinese Theatre3.0 miCycle 20 minCar or taxi 15 min
- The Grove5.2 miCycle 34 minCar or taxi 22 min
- LACMA5.8 miCycle 37 minCar or taxi 24 min
- Walt Disney Concert Hall6.3 miCycle 41 minCar or taxi 25 min
- Rodeo Drive7.2 miCar or taxi 28 min
- Getty Center11 miCar or taxi 39 min
- Santa Monica Pier14 miCar or taxi 50 min
- Venice Beach Boardwalk14 miCar or taxi 50 min