There is no better place to fall in love with Los Angeles than the lawn in front of Griffith Observatory at sunset.
Perched 1,134 feet above the city on the south slope of Mount Hollywood, Griffith Observatory has been LA’s favorite free lookout since it opened in 1935. From its domes you can see the entire Los Angeles Basin, from downtown to the Pacific Ocean, and on clear nights the stars put on their own show through the famous Zeiss telescope.
It is ideal for families: the planetarium shows, the Foucault pendulum, and the interactive science exhibits keep kids fascinated for hours, and most of the exhibits are completely free. Bring a picnic, hike one of the surrounding Griffith Park trails up to the building, and stay until dusk when the city lights begin to twinkle below.
Practical tip: admission to the building and grounds is free. Go on a weekday morning to avoid crowds, and check the sky — Santa Ana winds mean the clearest views of the year.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Mfield
