Discover one of Los Angeles’ most popular and distinctive attractions—without the crowds—on this private tour of the Griffith Observatory. Pick from multiple convenient start times, and meet your guide right out front. You’ll learn about the nearly century-old landmark, can attend a planetarium show, and can view the science-themed exhibitions on site. You can also admire hilltop views overlooking the city and the nearby Hollywood Sign.

This private tour helps you see the sights without the crowds
Discover the Griffith Observatory’s highlights and history with your guide
Bring the whole family along - up to 10 kids and adults alike are welcome!
View science exhibitions, a planetarium show, and more

What's Included

Planetarium Show Ticket Included

Gratuities
Parking
Please Note: We are an independent tour company and are not affiliated with the City of LA

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

2800 E Observatory Rd
2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
In front of Astronomers Monument on front lawn Please Note: We are an independent tour company and are not affiliated with the City of LA or their employees. If you ask Observatory staff about the tour they won’t be able to help. You MUST check in with your guide at the Astronomer’s Monument.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Griffith Observatory

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
Please Note: We are an independent tour company and are not affiliated with the City of LA or their employees. If you ask Observatory staff about the tour they won’t be able to help. You MUST check in with your guide at the Astronomer’s Monument.
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

The only note is be careful when you book as some high frequency times like the holidays may cause a lot of traffic and delays getting up to the Observatory.

Reviews

4.5

41 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 41 reviews

Griffith Tour

Tanya_H, Aug 2023

Our tour guide Jeff was great! Super knowledgeable and nice! Loved hearing all of the history and the night time views of the city.

Really not worth 350...

Melissa_M, May 2023

Really not worth 350 dollars for 2 people to be walked around the observatory with limited knowledge. Do not recommend — can do on your own and save a lot of money.

Response from Host, May 2023

I am very surprised to hear this! All of our private tour guides have deep knowledge of both astronomy and the building Griffith Observatory itself. The tour was designed by former and current employees so it really is the best tour of Griffith Observatory out there. Please email me with more details as I wonder who your guide was and what your specific issues were. We also have skip the line tickets for the planetarium show so it's certainly not something you can do on your own. Please contact me so I can make it up to you! Thank you, Dara

Esteban the all powerful

Paul_S, Apr 2023

Our guide, Esteban was a former Griffith employee and animator for the Planetarium show. His knowledge and passion would be impossible to beat. Learned so much in a short period of time and the time flew by. Highly recommend.

A night at the Griffith Observatory

Petra_S, Apr 2023

We really enjoyed meeting our tour guide Estevan. He was very knowledgeable about the science and astronomy facts in the Griffith Observatory. Since we are interested in history, art & culture we would have enjoyed more facts about the actual Art Deco building beautiful art work and stories behind the observatory’s history.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Hi Petra, I'm glad you enjoyed meeting Estevan but I'm disappointed you felt the need to give a 3 star review considering this is an astronomy tour and not an architecture tour. We do talk about some points regarding the art deco building and its art/design but the focus is on the actual exhibit space and astronomy. If you had specific requests it would have been nice to know about them in advance so we could cater to that, which we happily would have. None the less, I hope you enjoyed yourselves. Best, Dara

Great for Newbies and Nerds alike!

robmeyeratl, Apr 2023

Esteban was amazing! In two hours he brought the entire observatory to life for me (55) and my son (14). Highly recommend this tour!

We loved our private tour with Estevan

John_D, Mar 2023

We thoroughly enjoyed our private tour of Griffith Observatory with Estevan. I don't think we would have had the same understanding and enjoyment without his expertise and knowledge. We would definitely take this tour again.

Great tour!

Kimberly_V, Mar 2023

Esteban was great! Very enthusiastic and knowlegable, and he gave a great presentation. Would highly recommend.

Great tour, worth every penny and some.

Marci_M, Feb 2023

Estevan was outstanding. So knowledgeable, friendly and engaging. With the experience he has had working for the observatory in the past, he shared details and insights most other tour company guides would never know. We were late because of the parking. I would say to clients that they need to be at the entrance to the observatory/park at least an hour before their entry time. The entire area is gorgeous which draws many, many people and hence parking challenges. Thank you Estevan!

Awesome tour…very...

9xjkpt6xhk, Jan 2023

Awesome tour…very informative—would recommend. Only complaint: tour guide spoke so quickly, it was hard to grasp what was being said.

Visit at Griffith Observatory complete with tour

Susan_M, Dec 2022

My brother was visiting from SD. He wanted to see the Griffith Observatory. I book this tour to give him a fuller experience. Estevan was fun and knowledgeable about the site. He had previously worked there. We all had a great time. Highly recommend!!

Worth it!

con_b, Dec 2022

James was an excellent host , very intelligent , informative and entertaining. Highly recommend this tour

Must visit the Griffith Observatory

Lena_K, Nov 2022

The architecture of the Griffith Observatory is beautiful to look at and be in. Our guide, Estevan, was knowledgeable about all facets of the Observatory. He mentioned that he is an astronomical illustrator and painted Pluto, located in the room where scale models of the planets in our solar system is. My granddaughter was allowed to hold a piece of the mostly iron meteorite that created the Barrington Crater, near Winslow, Arizona. That small rock is heavier than it looks! The pendulum, located at the Observatory’s entrance was the most memorable for my granddaughter. The weather in Los Angeles could not have been better (it had rained earlier in the week which resulted in clear blue skies with enough visibility that one could see Downtown Los Angeles, Mount Wilson, as well as, the Pacific Ocean). Be aware that parking IN the Observatory’s lot is $10 an hour.

The Best

Rachel_L, Nov 2022

I love going on tours and got lucky with this tour company. Our guide was an employee of the observatory, and his background knowledge and experience made this tour outstanding. He was able to give us information that most other companies could not and his relationship with others gave us an advantage.

Great tour for anyone

Phil_R, Sep 2022

I’m an LA native and been the Observatory dozens of time but I learned so much. Definitely would recommend for anyone.

Estevan tour was a bust!

Cynthia_F, Sep 2022

The Griffith Observatory was fantastic! Estevan talked too fast. He talked about himself. We moved through exhibits quickly without letting us enjoy them. Didn't allow time for questions. Word to wise Observatory closes at 10:00. Last shuttle was 10:05. Our Uber cancelled and we were left on the roadside in the dark. Poor cell service in area complicated getting new ride share.

Response from Host, Sep 2022

I'm so sorry to hear this! Estevan usually gets AMAZING reviews. I spoke with him about this tour and he thought you had a great time. I wish you would have asked him to slow down if you thought he was going to fast, he certainly would have adjusted to your speed. As for the reception up on the hill, yes that can be challenging. We do our best to emphasize this in the email we send to all guests prior to the tour but understand it can be frustrating. This is unfortunately out of our control but I will take your feedback and see where we can make it more clear. Thank you. -Dara

Having a tour guide who...

Jared_M, Aug 2022

Having a tour guide who knew his stuff and also was able to share personal experience having worked at the observatory

It was a great tour.

Laurie_C, Jun 2022

It was really nice to have a personal tour where we could ask questions, see the telescope without anyone else around, and avoid the lines. The price seemed appropriate also.

Wonderful

Nicholas_P, May 2022

The venue and the views are magnificent. Our tour guide Estevan is incredibly knowledgeable. He definitely had all the inside scoop regarding the facility and all the exhibits. We would have missed 90% the experience without a personal tour guide.

James was excellent. The...

Jake_R, Apr 2022

James was excellent. The tour company was very professional. The entire tour was great. James was very knowledgeable. Best part was skipping the line for the telescope view at night.

Absolutely worth it

Carlton_S, Mar 2022

Our private tour guided (Esteban) made this first-time experience even more amazing than expected. He was right on time, informative and had a great personality.