Avoid traffic congestion and parking fees. Ride DASH Observatory/Los Feliz! Griffith Observatory is an icon of Los Angeles, a national leader in public astronomy, a beloved civic gathering place, and one of southern California’s most popular attractions. The Observatory is located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, just above the Los Feliz neighborhood. It is 1,134 feet above sea level and is visible from many parts of the Los Angeles basin. Admission to the Observatory building and grounds is FREE. There are charges for parking and to see shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. There are many ways to get to Griffith Observatory! The easiest and fastest way is via public transportation. You can also hike, bike, or walk up from parking elsewhere in Griffith Park. There is an hourly charge for paid parking near the Observatory. Roads leading up to the Observatory get very congested at busy times (weekends, evenings, holidays, spring break, summer), and parking near the Observatory is limited. Griffith Observatory is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks. The Director of Griffith Observatory is Dr. E. C. Krupp.