Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park is enclosed on most sides by freeways and on the south by Los Feliz Boulevard, and may be approached from several directions - see
map below. Griffith Observatory is reached by
Vermont Avenue, which runs northwards from Los Feliz Blvd, initially through half a mile of well presented suburbia of large trees and even larger houses, then crosses into the park and first passes the extensive parking area beside the
Greek Theater. This is the main outdoor entertainment venue for Los Angeles, used for rock/pop concerts and stage shows, and is capable of seating nearly 6,000 people. The road continues up Vermont Canyon to the rather smaller parking lot for observatory, though as much of the roadsides can also be used for parking there are usually plenty of spaces even on busy days. A fee is required to enter the building and inspect the planetarium, telescopes, museum and other attractions contained within, but there is no charge to walk around the outside. Views on a clear day are of east Hollywood, west Glendale and across to central Los Angeles, and include the famous
Hollywood Sign located 1.6 miles northeast near the top of Mount Lee - also within the park. The Vermont Canyon Road links with several other roads, both dirt and paved, though all are open to foot and bicycle traffic only. The most popular hike in this area is to the summit of
Mount Hollywood, a 3 mile round trip involving 650 feet of elevation gain.
Griffith Observatory, and the park in general, have been featured in many films, most famously James Dean's Rebel Without a Cause.