Griffith Observatory: Insider Tour & Planetarium Show

Inside Griffith Observatory: What the Staff Never Tell Casual Visitors

You'll spend the morning moving through Griffith Observatory's exhibits with a former staff member who knows the building's hidden angles and the science behind them. You get entry to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium show, a curated path through the Tesla Coil and Foucault Pendulum, views of the Hollywood Sign from the property, and a photo with the Einstein statue. Meet your guide at the Astronomers Monument on the front lawn to start.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Griffith ObservatoryEntry included1h 30m
2. Hollywood Signpassing by

Explore Griffith Observatory and surroundings

• See the Astronomers Monument
• Tour Griffith Observatory exhibits
• Watch Samuel Oschin Planetarium show
• View the Hollywood Sign

The experience

The Astronomers Monument sits on the front lawn like a stone promise: six figures carved in concrete, each one a name that changed how we see the sky. You meet your guide there, and within minutes you're standing in front of a 50,000-volt Tesla Coil that still hums with the weight of a century of discovery. This isn't a standard museum walk-through. The people leading you actually worked here, and they know which corners hold the real stories: the ones the plaques don't mention. The Griffith Observatory tour moves through the building's exhibits at a pace that lets you absorb what you're seeing: the massive Foucault Pendulum swinging overhead, the interactive periodic table where you can touch elements, the telescope view from Palomar Observatory frozen on a screen. Small groups mean you're not shuffling behind thirty people. You're having a conversation with someone who spent years in these rooms.

The Samuel Oschin Planetarium show is included, and it's the kind of thing that justifies the whole trip on its own: forty minutes inside a dome where the night sky becomes something you can almost reach. Your guide walks you through the building's architecture and history before you settle in, so when the show starts, you're already primed to understand what you're looking at. The Hollywood Sign appears in the itinerary too, framed from one of the best vantage points on the property, and there's a photo moment with an Albert Einstein statue that feels less touristy than it sounds when you're actually standing there with someone who can tell you why he matters to this specific place.

Check in at the Astronomers Monument on the front lawn. That's where your guide will be waiting. The tour company is independent, so if you ask Observatory staff about it beforehand, they won't have details. Your guide is your connection. Wheelchair access is available throughout, and public transit stops nearby if you're coming from elsewhere in Los Angeles. The whole experience is built for people who want to understand Griffith Observatory as more than a photo backdrop, and the insider perspective is what makes that possible.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided tour led by a former Griffith Observatory employee, entry to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium show (40 minutes), a curated path through the observatory's exhibits including the Tesla Coil and Foucault Pendulum, panoramic views of the Hollywood Sign from the property, and a photo opportunity with the Albert Einstein statue. All areas are wheelchair accessible, and public transportation is available nearby.

Information

Lasts 1h 30m, runs Tuesday to Sunday, 6 start times, from US$ 56 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesTuesday to Friday: 14:00 and 17:30Saturday and Sunday: 10:45, 13:15, 14:15 and 16:45Another time? ›

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by ExperienceFirst

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand Griffith Observatory as more than a landmark: the insider perspective and planetarium show are what turn a visit into an actual experience, and the small-group format means you're not competing for the guide's attention.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What's included in the Griffith Observatory insider tour?

Samuel Oschin Planetarium show ticket, guided tour of the observatory's exhibits, Hollywood Sign views from the property, and a photo op with the Einstein statue. Your guide is a former observatory employee.

How long is the planetarium show?

The Samuel Oschin Planetarium show runs 40 minutes and is included with your tour ticket. It's suitable for ages 5 and up.

Where do I meet my guide?

Meet at the Astronomers Monument on the front lawn of Griffith Observatory. The tour company is independent and not affiliated with the City of LA, so check in directly with your guide.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed.

How do I get to Griffith Observatory?

Public transportation options are available nearby. If you're driving, parking is available on-site. Your guide will meet you at the Astronomers Monument.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The pace is set by the group, and you're moving through indoor and outdoor areas of the observatory grounds.

What's the difference between this tour and visiting on my own?

Your guide is a former Griffith Observatory employee who provides insider knowledge about the building's history, architecture, and the science behind the exhibits. The curated itinerary and planetarium show ticket are included, and the small-group format lets you ask questions.