4,310 acres. The Hollywood Sign. A free observatory. The best views in Los Angeles. Here's everything you need to know — all in one place.
Why this is one guide, not three
Every other site splits Griffith Park, the Hollywood Sign, and the Observatory into separate articles. That's a mistake — they're all in the same park and most people want to combine them. This covers all three so you can plan one trip instead of juggling browser tabs.
Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America — bigger than Central Park, bigger than Golden Gate Park. It contains Griffith Observatory, multiple trails to the Hollywood Sign, the Greek Theatre, the LA Zoo, the Autry Museum, two golf courses, a merry-go-round, and miles of trails. The park is free. Open daily from 5:00am to 10:30pm.
Griffith Observatory
A free astronomy museum and public observatory on the south slope of Mount Hollywood. It opened in 1935 and attracts 1.5 million visitors a year — one of the most visited public observatories on Earth. The Art Deco building has appeared in Rebel Without a Cause, La La Land, and dozens of other films.
What's Inside (All Free)
- The Foucault Pendulum — A 240-pound brass ball proving Earth's rotation. Mesmerizing.
- The Tesla Coil — Live demonstrations of 1.5 million volts of electricity
- The Cosmic Connection — 150-foot-long exhibit tracing 13.7 billion years of cosmic history
- The Wilder Hall of the Eye — History of astronomy and telescopic observation
- Public Telescopes — Free on clear nights. The Zeiss refractor is the most-viewed telescope in human history.
- W.M. Keck Foundation Central Rotunda — Hugo Ballin murals depicting celestial mythology
Samuel Oschin Planetarium
The one thing that costs money. Live shows in a 290-seat theater. $7 adults, $3 kids 5‒12. Shows rotate — check the website. They sell out on weekends. Buy when you arrive (no online advance sales far ahead).
Observatory Hours
- Closed Mondays (grounds open daily)
- Tuesday‒Friday 12:00 noon ‒ 10:00pm
- Saturday‒Sunday 10:00am ‒ 10:00pm
Sunset at the Observatory is one of the best group activities in LA. Free, iconic views, and no planning required beyond showing up.
Hiking to the Hollywood Sign
There are multiple trails to the Hollywood Sign. Here are the three official routes, ranked by difficulty.
Option 1: Canyon Drive / Brush Canyon Trail
5.0 miles round trip · 1,000 ft elevation · 1.5‒2 hours · Moderate · Recommended for most
The easiest and most popular route. Starts at an actual parking lot inside Griffith Park. Wide, well-maintained fire road that climbs gradually to Mt. Lee, directly behind the Hollywood Sign.
Trailhead: 3260 Canyon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068 · Free parking lot (fills by 8‒9am on weekends)
Route: Through the gate at Canyon Drive → Brush Canyon Trail (~1mi) → left on Mulholland Trail (~1mi) → right on Mt. Lee Road for the steep final mile to the summit.
Option 2: Hollyridge Trail
3.5 miles round trip · 800 ft elevation · 1.5‒2 hours · Moderate
Shorter and steeper. Starts from Beachwood Canyon neighborhood. Warning: heavy horse traffic on this trail.
Option 3: From Griffith Observatory
10.0 miles round trip · 900 ft elevation · 4‒5 hours · Strenuous (distance)
Longest route but combines the Observatory and the Sign. You cross a mountain in between. Best overall Griffith Park experience — a legitimate half-day commitment.
Route: Mt. Hollywood Drive from behind the Observatory → Mulholland Trail → Mt. Lee Road
⚠ The Most Common Mistake
The Hollywood Sign is on Mt. Lee. Mt. Hollywood is a different peak near the Observatory with views of the sign. They are different mountains. You cannot touch or get close to the sign — there's a chain-link security fence. You see it from behind and above on the trails.
Groups of 4‒8 work perfectly. Early weekday mornings for the quietest trails.
Mt. Hollywood Trail (Best Short Hike)
If you don't want to do the full Sign hike, the Mt. Hollywood Trail is 5.0 miles round trip from the Observatory parking lot to the summit (1,625 feet) — the highest point in the park accessible by trail. 360-degree views of downtown LA, the Hollywood Sign, and the San Gabriel Mountains. 2‒2.5 hours. Moderate.
- Start from behind the Observatory parking lot, near the tree dedicated to George Harrison
- Split: go right for Dante's View (shaded overlook with benches) or left via Captain's Roost for more direct route
- Berlin Forest — a small grove of pine trees gifted by LA's sister city Berlin, with an excellent Hollywood Sign viewpoint. Less than 0.5 mile from the Observatory but a fraction of the tourist crowds. Extremely underrated.
Getting There & Parking
💡 The 50-Cent Hack
Observatory parking costs $10/hour. Instead: take the DASH Observatory Shuttle for 50 cents (25¢ with TAP card). Runs daily 10am‒10pm every 15‒20 minutes from Vermont/Sunset Metro Red Line station.
Free parking bonus: When there's no concert at the Greek Theatre, park free in the Greek Theatre lot and take the DASH up. Check the Greek Theatre schedule before planning this.
Metro: Red Line to Vermont/Sunset ($1.75) → DASH shuttle (50¢). Total: $2.25. Zero parking stress.
Observatory address: 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Canyon Drive trailhead: 3260 Canyon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068 — free parking lot at trailhead
From I-5: Exit Los Feliz Boulevard, head west. Park entrance roads branch off. Gates close at 10:30pm.
Other Things in Griffith Park
- The Greek Theatre — Iconic outdoor concert venue (free parking when no show)
- Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens — 133 acres, 1,400+ animals
- Autry Museum of the American West — Western history and art
- Bronson Caves — The original Batcave from the 1960s TV series. Short, easy walk.
- Travel Town Museum — Free outdoor railroad museum. Great for kids.
- Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round — Vintage 1926 carousel, $3 per ride
- Berlin Forest — Pine grove gifted by LA's sister city Berlin. Secret Hollywood Sign viewpoint.
Best Sunset Plan
Take the DASH shuttle up around 5pm. Explore the Observatory. Watch sunset from the terrace. Look through the telescope after dark (free, clear nights only). Shuttle back down. Cost: $1 round trip.
FAQ
Is Griffith Observatory free? Yes. Everything inside is free — exhibits, telescopes, grounds, terraces. Only the planetarium show costs money ($7 adults, $3 kids).
What's the cheapest way to park at the Observatory? Don't park there. Take the DASH Observatory shuttle for 50 cents (25¢ with TAP) from the Vermont/Sunset Red Line station. Or park free at the Greek Theatre lot when there's no concert and ride the DASH up. Observatory parking is $10/hour.
What's the easiest Hollywood Sign trail? Canyon Drive / Brush Canyon Trail: 5 miles round trip, starts at a proper parking lot inside Griffith Park at 3260 Canyon Drive. Wide fire road, gradual climb. Best option for most people.
Is the Hollywood Sign on Mt. Hollywood? No — the most common mistake. The Hollywood Sign is on Mt. Lee. Mt. Hollywood is the peak near the Observatory. They are different mountains.
What is the Berlin Forest? A small grove of pine trees gifted by LA's sister city Berlin, less than 0.5 mile from the Observatory with a great Hollywood Sign viewpoint and almost no tourists. One of the most underrated spots in Griffith Park.
Is Griffith Park good for a group outing? One of the best. Free Observatory, multiple trail options, zero cost barrier, and DASH shuttle removes parking stress. A Hollywood Sign hike or Observatory sunset with a WashedUp group of 4‒8 is hard to beat.
Which Griffith Park trail is best? The trail to Griffith Observatory from the West Observatory Trail is the most popular and offers stunning views. For a longer adventure, the Mount Hollywood Trail takes you to the highest point in the park.
How long does it take to hike to the Hollywood Sign? From the most popular trailheads, the hike to the Hollywood Sign takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way, depending on the trail you choose and your fitness level.
Last verified: February 2025. Parking rates, hours, and DASH shuttle schedules can change. Check the Griffith Observatory website or LA Metro for the latest.
