Where to Go After Quarantine: Part Two

Amy Li

December 17, 2020

Hello, and welcome back to the second installation in my “Where to Go After Quarantine” series! Just a quick recap: in my first article, I introduced the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. If you are interested in art, please check that out! 

Let’s continue exploring Los Angeles, the “City of Angels.” Have you ever seen the city from above? Have you ever experienced a high-altitude adventure? At the Griffith Observatory, you can enjoy the fun of being “in the sky.”

Location: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Current status: Closed due to COVID-19 

Tickets: $3-7

If you enjoy astronomy, then the Griffith Observatory is a wonderful place to explore. The goal of this observatory is to let visitors become observers; free public telescopes are available throughout the facility. 

Nevertheless, the observatory does not merely suit those interested in astronomy; it is perfect for anyone who enjoys viewing beautiful scenery. This Los Angeles destination sits on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. From the observatory, visitors can look to the southeast to view Downtown Los Angeles, to the south to take in Hollywood, and to the southwest to catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. At 1,134 feet above sea level, visitors can appreciate the sprawling layout of the city. In addition, the observatory is also the best vantage point for viewing the Hollywood sign. 

In addition, the observatory’s Samuel Oschin Planetarium is also an intriguing attraction. According to the Griffith Observatory Blog, “With its spectacular Zeiss star projector, digital projection system, state-of-the-art aluminum dome, comfy seats, sound system, and theatrical lighting, the 290-seat Samuel Oschin Planetarium theater is the finest planetarium in the world.” Over the years, the planetarium has presented four informative shows about the natural world: Centered in the Universe, Water is Life, Light of Valkyries, and Time’s Up, which ran from 2012 to 2014. Click here for more information.