Griffith Observatory is, with little doubt, one of Los Angeles’ crown jewels. A bolder writer might even suggest that no visit to the City of Angels could be considered complete without a substantial stop at this hilltop oasis. Far above the din and dirt of the city, Griffith Observatory is an escape–for tourists and locals alike–that feels decidedly apart yet inextricably a part of the urban metropolis to which it belongs.
Nestled within Griffith Park, the observatory is one of those places you could visit multiple times because you could always find something new to discover on each occasion. Visiting it on my first day in L.A., under steely skies characteristic of southern California’s June gloom, I wandered around the grounds, hiking along nearby trails while viewing the observatory itself from a distance. I returned on the following day to satisfy the nagging sensation that I’d had only a glimpse of the observatory and hadn’t really experienced it yet.
On the second day I lucked out. The sun cut through the early morning cloud cover like a knife, revealing some of the bluest skies I’d seen during my visit to L.A. The bright, warm SoCal sun shone down on the impressive building, throwing its architectural details into stark relief.
I’ll admit it: I went a little camera crazy, wanting to capture everything.
As an armchair architecture enthusiast, I was drawn to the intricacies of the observatory’s art deco style. The subtle tension between curve and line, disrupting familiar expectations. Twelve-sided door panels, clock-like, echoing the circular and linear properties of time. Gentle arches carved into buttresses. The twin copper tile-topped domes of the observatory’s telescopes, turned a dark, earthy green. And more than anything, the symmetry of it all.
What a gem.
Have you been to Griffith Observatory? What was your favorite thing about it?
I have never been and didn’t really know it existed, pardon me Canadian here. When I finally make it to the West Coast, US, I will make sure I get there. It looks really cool there. Thanks for sharing.
Rhona–there’s something for everyone at the Observatory. It’s just beautiful and peaceful up there and the views are simply amazing. I hope you have the opportunity to visit soon…. 🙂
This reminds me of the Sydney Observatory, however it’s nowhere near as pretty as this one is. The one in Sydney is right next to the Harbor Bridge and sits on top of the hill that was at the time in the 1800s when the observatory was built, the highest point of land in the Sydney area. This website tells you all about it: http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/
Matt–I checked out pics of the Sydney Observatory…it’s a lovely building and the view down to the harbor must be amazing. I think I seriously need to get over to Australia soon, LOL! 🙂
The view down to the harbor is definitely amazing. It’s only about a ten minute walk from the Sydney Harbor Bridge which you can walk across in it’s entirety or climb for a fee which I did back in 2006.
One way I would recommend to check out Sydney Harbor is to do so by Ferry. You can catch the Ferry from Circular Quay east to Manly. It’s a totally spectacular trip the whole way there and back. To see the rest of the harbor in the westward direction you can catch the Ferry to Parramatta. It’s not so spectacular but an interesting trip nonetheless.
I think the location alone would make this a “must do”. Just to get up and away from the craziness of LA for a little while, to get some distance and perspective, would be worthwhile. Haven’t been there, but it’s definitely on my “A” list for any future trip to L.A.
Gray, I think you would love it! And you’re absolutely right–it wasn’t until I got away to the Hollywood Hills that the magic of L.A. really started to happen.