Architecture Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory · **3 Likes**

Griffith Observatory on a hazy day.

To get to that viewpoint, you take the fire-road trail from the parking lot. (All these wider shots are the 17-70, not "17-10").

This is the easy way, and it is about a 20 minute walk.

Or you can try going cross-country. That's Mt. Hollywood in the background, and it's about an hour walk.

The famous sign is on the next hill over, Mt. Lee.

On the way back. The parking lot is free but limited (200 spots), so street parking is likely.

Six famous astronomers circle this monument. Hipparchus (about 150 B.C.), Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543), Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), Isaac Newton (1642-1727), William Herschel (1738-1822)

Statue of actor James Dean draws a crowd. He famously died in a car crash at age 24 after making only 3 movies - and one safe-driving PSA.

Not surprisingly, there are several telescopes here.

The roof view. The other direction was just Los Angeles lost in haze.

Copper door.

Stairs.

Foucault pendulum knocks down pegs.

Some exhibits...

Earth tilt.

Periodic table of elements.

Gallery.

Remote sensing.

Markers and direction-lines for various lunar and solar events.

Saturn cell-man.

I usually get one of these when I'm here. This was shot at 1/15 @ f22 by accident :-)

The astronomer's monument, with kids.

Famous astronomers.

Solar-powered sundial.

Bus people.

**Kerrowdown** · 02-23-2014, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by First Poster

Griffith Observatory on a hazy day

Like the first image, being that close to the city, I wouldn't thought that was a great site for an observatory with light pollution and smog etc.

zztopd · 02-23-2014, 11:06 AM

it's great that the natural sciences are transmitted to future generations.
Great.

OrchidJulie · 02-23-2014, 02:17 PM

TFS. Now I understand how the observatory can be threatened by LA wildfires. I had no idea it was that close-in to the city!

jcbritton · 02-23-2014, 03:55 PM

I like the first shot as well. I've been to LA many times, but never did make it up to the observatory.

Kerrowdown, sadly with the way LA is now it's not a great spot, but just think of how nice it must have been back when it was built in the 1930's!

**Bob Harris** · 02-23-2014, 04:57 PM

really enjoyed the series Kyle, we haven't visited since the makeover. You got some great views there. Parts of Rebel Without a Cause were filmed there with Dean.

SpecialK · 02-24-2014, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Like the first image, being that close to the city, I wouldn't thought that was a great site for an observatory with light pollution and smog etc.

Originally posted by zztopd

it's great that the natural sciences are transmitted to future generations.
Great.

Originally posted by OrchidJulie

TFS. Now I understand how the observatory can be threatened by LA wildfires. I had no idea it was that close-in to the city!

Originally posted by jcbritton

I like the first shot as well. I've been to LA many times, but never did make it up to the observatory.

Kerrowdown, sadly with the way LA is now it's not a great spot, but just think of how nice it must have been back when it was built in the 1930's!

Originally posted by Bob Harris

really enjoyed the series Kyle, we haven't visited since the makeover. You got some great views there. Parts of Rebel Without a Cause were filmed there with Dean.

Thanks for the comments.

Here are a few from a previous visit.

rrstuff · 02-24-2014, 08:16 PM

The 'remote sensing' and pendulum shots are my favorite. the night scapes are classic. It's a great location to shoot, although going down in the dark can be a challenge. I am bringing a torch next time.

**dcmsox2004** · 02-25-2014, 06:29 AM

fine series... definitely a venue i must visit someday... the night captures are stunning... dave m

jcbritton · 02-26-2014, 09:44 PM

Love those evening/ night shots!

GeoJerry · 02-26-2014, 11:20 PM

I enjoyed that. The last picture was just great! I haven't been here since they finished the remodel some years ago (7-8 years?), mostly because I'm intimidated by the parking situation. Can you actually find a place to park on weekends? Are the crowds tolerable? I'd really like to go check it out, especially on one go those clear and cold winter days, even better if there's some snow on Baldy.

SpecialK · 07-19-2017, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by GeoJerry

I'm intimidated by the parking situation. Can you actually find a place to park on weekends? Are the crowds tolerable? I'd really like to go check it out, especially on one go those clear and cold winter days, even better if there's some snow on Baldy.

Just looking at some old threads. Those night shots are during the "star party" nights with amateur astronomers with telescopes on the grass. It can be busy, and you may have circle the parking lot a while, or park down one of the roads and hump it up. Or, you could come up on a weekday (particularly when closed on Mondays) which may have better parking opportunities.

**yucatanPentax** · 08-16-2017, 02:01 PM

I'm glad you came back to this old thread. Those are some great images. I'll have to get there on some future trip.

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02-23-2014, 10:43 AM	#2
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Originally posted by First Poster Griffith Observatory on a hazy day Like the first image, being that close to the city, I wouldn't thought that was a great site for an observatory with light pollution and smog etc.

02-23-2014, 11:06 AM	#3
zztopd Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 956	it's great that the natural sciences are transmitted to future generations. Great.

02-23-2014, 02:17 PM	#4
OrchidJulie Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Magic City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,936	TFS. Now I understand how the observatory can be threatened by LA wildfires. I had no idea it was that close-in to the city!

02-23-2014, 03:55 PM	#5
jcbritton New Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 15	I like the first shot as well. I've been to LA many times, but never did make it up to the observatory. Kerrowdown, sadly with the way LA is now it's not a great spot, but just think of how nice it must have been back when it was built in the 1930's!

02-23-2014, 04:57 PM	#6
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477	really enjoyed the series Kyle, we haven't visited since the makeover. You got some great views there. Parts of Rebel Without a Cause were filmed there with Dean.

02-24-2014, 07:38 PM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Like the first image, being that close to the city, I wouldn't thought that was a great site for an observatory with light pollution and smog etc. Originally posted by zztopd it's great that the natural sciences are transmitted to future generations. Great. Originally posted by OrchidJulie TFS. Now I understand how the observatory can be threatened by LA wildfires. I had no idea it was that close-in to the city! Originally posted by jcbritton I like the first shot as well. I've been to LA many times, but never did make it up to the observatory. Kerrowdown, sadly with the way LA is now it's not a great spot, but just think of how nice it must have been back when it was built in the 1930's! Originally posted by Bob Harris really enjoyed the series Kyle, we haven't visited since the makeover. You got some great views there. Parts of Rebel Without a Cause were filmed there with Dean. Thanks for the comments. Here are a few from a previous visit.

02-24-2014, 08:16 PM	#8
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	The 'remote sensing' and pendulum shots are my favorite. the night scapes are classic. It's a great location to shoot, although going down in the dark can be a challenge. I am bringing a torch next time.

02-25-2014, 06:29 AM	#9
dcmsox2004 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: rhode island Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,522	fine series... definitely a venue i must visit someday... the night captures are stunning... dave m

02-26-2014, 09:44 PM	#10
jcbritton New Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 15	Love those evening/ night shots!

02-26-2014, 11:20 PM	#11
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158	I enjoyed that. The last picture was just great! I haven't been here since they finished the remodel some years ago (7-8 years?), mostly because I'm intimidated by the parking situation. Can you actually find a place to park on weekends? Are the crowds tolerable? I'd really like to go check it out, especially on one go those clear and cold winter days, even better if there's some snow on Baldy.

07-19-2017, 06:11 PM	#12
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481 Original Poster	Originally posted by GeoJerry I'm intimidated by the parking situation. Can you actually find a place to park on weekends? Are the crowds tolerable? I'd really like to go check it out, especially on one go those clear and cold winter days, even better if there's some snow on Baldy. Just looking at some old threads. Those night shots are during the "star party" nights with amateur astronomers with telescopes on the grass. It can be busy, and you may have circle the parking lot a while, or park down one of the roads and hump it up. Or, you could come up on a weekday (particularly when closed on Mondays) which may have better parking opportunities.

08-16-2017, 02:01 PM	#13
yucatanPentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas / Yucatan Posts: 1,840	I'm glad you came back to this old thread. Those are some great images. I'll have to get there on some future trip.