Jaunted

Tags: Los Angeles / Museums / Tourist Attratctions / → All Tags

Star Gazing in LA

No, not those kinds of stars--honest-to-goodness space fireballs. The kind of thing that visitors to the Griffith Observatory want to see. The storied lookout opened to the public in 1935 but has been closed since 2002. The doors recently swung back open, revealing a refurbished planetarium, an exhibit hall and a collection of public telescopes. But don't  dash out the door just yet, as there's a trick to getting into this star-filled spot.

Because of huge public interest in visiting the newly-opened observatory, the LA Parks Department instituted a "Visitor Access Program." Think of it as a velvet rope you'll want to get past. To get on the A-list, you'll need to book a timed-entry reservation on the website. Don't expect to roll up to the front door, though. You'll need to head to one of two parking lots--they'll tell you which--and take the Griffith Observatory shuttle bus. Play nice, and you'll be inside in no time.

[Photo: larrygerbrandt]