Free admission to the Observatory in Griffith Park, with two social narratives and a sensory planning guide to read ahead, and plain warnings about the planetarium's loud explosion and flash of light and the Tesla coil's loud buzzing.
Sensory supports. Free admission, social narratives, planetarium noise and light warnings.
Hours
Tuesday to Friday noon to 10 pm; Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 10 pm; closed Monday. The grounds and roads are generally open 5 am to 10:30 pm every day. Thanksgiving (Thu Nov 26 2026): closed. Christmas Eve (Thu Dec 24 2026): noon to 5 pm. Christmas Day (Fri Dec 25 2026): closed. New Year's Eve (Thu Dec 31 2026): noon to 5 pm.
“Light, noise, and temperature levels vary throughout the building.”
“Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows contain moments with a loud explosion and/or a flash of light.”
“Tesla coil demonstrations produce lightning-like bolts and loud buzzing sounds, typically scheduled once per hour.”
“Visitors are welcome to bring noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, or other comfort items.”
“Social Narratives are guides with photos and descriptions about social situations to assist anyone who may benefit from knowing what to expect during their visit. They may be particularly useful for autistic youth and adults and those in supportive roles.”
The two social narratives are Visiting Griffith Observatory and Seeing a Samuel Oschin Planetarium Show. The one-page Pre-visit Guide for Observers of All Learning Styles names quieter, low-sensory spaces outside and warns that the camera obscura is a dark, small, enclosed room and the Zeiss telescope is a small space with a dome that occasionally rotates and a line to enter.
If the planetarium ticket booth has a long line or feels too loud, you can buy tickets at the ticket kiosk in the Ahmanson Hall of the Sky instead.
You can preview the building ahead of time in the Observatory's virtual version in Minecraft (Java Edition).
Most mobile phones have trouble getting a signal near the Observatory; free Wi-Fi with no password covers the building and grounds.
Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows (moments with a loud explosion and/or a flash of light; the room becomes very dark, and doors close once the show begins, with no re-entry)not stated
Tesla coil demonstrations (lightning-like bolts and loud buzzing sounds, typically scheduled once per hour (6 minutes, at 20 past the hour and at 9:30 pm))not stated
Quieter, in the Observatory's words
Outdoor terraces with skyline viewsquiet zone
The lawn and picnic areas facing the Hollywood Signquiet zone
Astronomers Monument, sundial and solar system lawn model, on the front lawnquiet zone
Planetarium tickets: adults (13 to 54) $12, seniors (55+) $10, students and teachers with ID $10, children (5 to 12) $8, Foundation members with ID $8; children under 5 are free on a parent's or guardian's lap. Tickets are sold only at the Observatory (box office or ticket machines, cash or Visa, MasterCard and Discover) for that day's shows, until 10 minutes before each show unless it sells out. No refunds unless the show is canceled.
The Observatory says its shows aren't appropriate for children under 5 and are likely to be disorienting and/or disturbing for them, so under-5s are only admitted to the first show of the day (12:45 pm weekdays, 10:45 am weekends). Shows run 32 to 35 minutes with a live presenter in near-total darkness. Line up on the West Terrace 15 to 20 minutes early; no one is admitted late, and if you leave during the show you can't come back in. The planetarium asks everyone not to talk, yell, make distracting noises, stand up or use phones, and staff may remove disruptive guests.
In the planetarium, wheelchair and companion seats are near the back, and at peak times a guest using a wheelchair and one companion get priority seating. Staff help store strollers while you wait or watch. If someone in your group uses an AAC device or app, you can ask for a red bag at the control booth just inside the planetarium.
Parking near the Observatory is limited and paid (credit cards only, no refunds) Monday to Friday noon to 10 pm and weekends 10 am to 10 pm; it's busiest evenings, weekends, summer, spring break and holidays, and the road may close when traffic backs up. If you can walk up to a mile uphill, parking around the Greek Theatre is free, except after 1 pm on concert evenings. Accessible spaces are in the south part of the lot, first come, first served; if they're full, park at the Greek Theatre and take the bus. Shared rides can drop off and pick up but not park, and the park's inbound gates close at 10 pm.
The DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus runs daily 10 am to 10 pm from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station and stops in front of the Observatory every 20 to 25 minutes. It costs 50 cents (35 cents with a TAP card), 25 cents for seniors and people with disabilities, and is free for children 4 and under; drivers can't make change. The buses have a wheelchair lift or ramp.
Food and drinks aren't allowed inside the building; the Café at the End of the Universe is on the lower level, and its Sunset Terrace is for café customers. There are no picnic facilities, but you may bring food from home and have a picnic outside.
Inside, no balloons, no running, jumping or disruptive behavior, no skateboards or scooters, and wheeled shoes must have the wheels put away. No photography in the theaters or the Zeiss telescope dome. Pets and emotional support animals can't come inside; service animals are welcome.
All four levels have elevators and ramps. Free manual wheelchairs are at the Center of Gravity desk (Middle Level) with a photo ID, first come, first served. Restrooms are on every level and next to the parking lot (those are gender-neutral), and every restroom has a baby-changing station. To ask for accommodations before your visit, call 213-473-0800. Hearing-assist devices are available from theater staff; sign language or CART needs at least five business days' notice.
If someone is hurt or needs help, tell any staff member right away; Park Rangers can help at (323) 644-6661. Report a lost child to any staff member immediately.
Call
(213) 473-0800General Information Line and accommodation requests (711 for CA Relay)(323) 644-6661Park Rangers (injuries and help)
