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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Griffith
Observatory
Los Angeles
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Griffith
Observatory is perched on Mt. Hollywood in the
hills above Los Angeles. The observatory has been a major
Los Angeles landmark since it was built in 1935. Admission
to Griffith Observatory is absolutely free making a trip
to the observatory an affordable fun day trip.
The grounds surrounding the observatory have many points
of interest including an Egyptian sundial and a memorial
to James Dean. On a clear day you will be treated to a
spectacular view of Hollywood and the Los Angeles basin.
Completed in 1935, it has always
been a popular location for Hollywood shooting, beginning
with the classic Rebel without a Cause starring James
Dean. Dean also shot a Coca-Cola commercial during his
early years as an actor on the grounds surrounding this
magnificent structure. A bronze bust now pays homage to
the highly regarded actor, and stands just outside the
domed building.
When the observatory first opened, it was visited by more
than 13,000 people in its first five days. The first exhibit
included a Foucault pendulum, a twelve-inch Zeiss refracting
telescope, a triple-beam coelostat, and a thirty-eight
foot relief model of the moon's North Polar Region.
Griffith originally requested that the observatory feature
a display on evolution, and this was accomplished with
the Cosmochron exhibit with narration from Caltech Professor
Chester Stock. During World War II, the planetarium was
used to train pilots in celestial navigation.
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Griffith Park Observatory |
You can drive directly to Griffith Observatory and park
in the parking lot or on the adjacent roads. The parking
lot is small and fills up fast on weekends so get there
early for prime parking. If you don't mid walking you can
park along the road and hike up to the observatory. There
is no admission charge to enter the Observatory building.
Inside the observatory you will find the planetarium theater,
a huge triple-beam solar telescope, and three levels of
fascinating hands on exhibits and displays.
The Griffith Observatory's Planetarium has a new dome, star
projector, laser digital projection system, seats, sound
system.
There are eight shows each weekday and ten shows each weekend
day. Show tickets may be purchased only at the Observatory,
only for that day's shows. Adults are $7.00 and children
$5.00. Griffith Observatory is defiantly worth checking
out.
Before you leave the Observatory be sure to take a picture
of the Hollywood sign which sits just behind the Griffith
Observatory.
The views of Los Angeles are magnificent on a clear day
and you can see all the way to Santa Monica.
Nearby attraction include Hollywood which is just down the
hill, Griffith Park which
surrounds the observatory and the Los Angeles Zoo. |
Griffith Observatory Front Lawn |
View of Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory |
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The observatory was featured in two major
sequences of the celebrated James Dean film Rebel Without
a Cause (1955); a bust of Dean was subsequently placed at
the west side of the grounds. The observatory has alos appeared
in numerious other movies including: Terminator, Transformers,
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Rocketeer and Earth Girls
Are Easy.
Children under 5 are free to the first planetarium show of
the day. Admission and parking are free. Café at the
End of the Universe is located at the lower level and offers
salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups and specials-of-the-day.
Griffith Observatory is open six days a week. Closed on Monday.
Griffith Observatory 2800 East Observatory Road Los Angeles,
CA 90027 General Information Line: 213-473-0800 |
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Los Angeles Attractions: |
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Hollywood
is visited by tourists from all over the world.
Ten minute drive from the observatory |
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Beverly
Hills located
in the heart of LA is the epitome of wealth and
style. |
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Griffith
Park covers over
4210 acres and is the end of the Santa Monica Mountains. |
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Los
Angeles Zoo in
Griffith Park is home to over 950 animals from around
the world. |
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Sunset
Ranch day and evening horse back rides
through the hills of Griffith Park. . |
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