Griffith Observatory Insider Tour
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Los Angeles, USA
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Enjoy a curated journey through space and time at the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles's gateway to the stars. This tour, designed by former observatory employees, explores the highlights of the large exhibition space, covering the observatory's science, history, architecture, and movie trivia. What's more, your ticket includes a planetarium show with live narration.
- Have a personalized experience in a small group
- Skip route planning overwhelm and let your guide led the way
- Take the weight off your legs and relax during the planetarium show
- Enjoy uninterrupted views of the Hollywood sign
What's Included
- Curated itinerary design by former Griffith Observatory employees
- Local guide and expert on the Griffith Observatory
- Photo op with a statue of Albert Einstein statue
- Panoramic views of the Hollywood Sign
- Samuel Oschin Planetarium show ticket
- Parking
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Astronomers Monument2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Meet your guide on the front lawn at Astronomers Monument. 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.Itinerary
Astronomers Monument (Pass By)
1
Griffith Observatory
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Hollywood Sign (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Stroller accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Meet your guide on the front lawn at Astronomers Monument. 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 tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 323 reviews
DeKeta_S, May 2026
Very engaging and knowledgeable guide. Great way to learn about the exhibits at the observatory and leaves you wanting to explore more.
Kitty_S, May 2026
Estevan was delightful, but he spoke so fast, it was very difficult to hear and understand what he was saying. Not sure of what we learned or if it was worth the money. He seemed very rushed.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hi Kitty,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're sorry that the pace of the tour made it difficult to fully follow and enjoy.
Your feedback is very helpful, and we’ll be sure to address this so we can provide a more comfortable and engaging tour moving forward.
We appreciate you taking the time to let us know, and hope we can offer you a better experience in the future.
Cathy_P, May 2026
Guide was knowledgeable and the observatory is amazing.
The acoustics sometimes make it difficult to hear the guide.
Brenda_G, Apr 2026
There is very little parking. No amenities for people with mobility problems. Had to leave without visiting the observatory. Waste of money.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We’re sorry to hear about your experience. Parking in the area is unfortunately outside of our control. As noted in the email confirmation we sent prior to your visit, parking nearby is limited and can be quite expensive. For this reason, we strongly recommend using public transport or a rideshare service whenever possible.
We hope you’ll consider visiting us again under better circumstances.
Mary_M, Apr 2026
Many steps/stairs are involved, so be warned. Estaben was our guide and is extremely knowledgeable. Only problem--so much info to cover in 1.5 hrs.--forced Estaben to speak very quickly. Also, due to crowd noise, perhaps a system with headphones, ear buds or something as it was easy to miss something.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi Mary,
Thank you for your feedback.
We appreciate you highlighting the number of steps involved, as well as your experience during the tour. It’s wonderful to hear that the guide made a strong impression with his knowledge and expertise.
We also understand your comments regarding the pace of the tour and the challenges of hearing clearly in crowded areas. Your suggestion about using headphones or similar devices is very helpful, and we will certainly take this into consideration as we continue to improve the experience for our guests.
Thank you again for your valuable insights.
Mary_C, Mar 2026
Guide was very knowledgeable. He was able to address all questions well. Enjoyable experience for all ages.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi Mary,
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour enjoyable for all ages and that the guide’s knowledge made a positive impression.
If you have any suggestions on how we could make the experience even better, we would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts.
Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Irene_M, Mar 2026
I would not recommend that tour guide. He spoke so quickly that many of his words were muffled- I lost sbout 50 % of what he said
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Irene,
Thanks for reaching out. We're sorry you had a negative experience. Please know that it is being addressed on our end. We always strive for the best possible experience for our guests. Thank you, we take your feedback very seriously.
Steve_S, Feb 2026
Esteban was awesome. Very educational! !!!!!!!!! Bbb bbb bbbbbbbbb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kathryn_k, Feb 2026
What a fabulous tour! What a knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide! This tour is an effective, possibly essential, way to enjoy and learn about the universe. The immense and beautiful Griffith Observatory has many displays on 3 levels so what a benefit to have several explained by an expert insider! Another key value of the tour is the ticket to the on site Samuel Oschin Planetarium where another expert provides storytelling to a special show. Fabulous tour!
Lynne_C, Feb 2026
Plan to stay in the evening as the planetarium shows are limited
Also parking is difficult so best to take Uber or public transportation
Robyn_D, Jan 2026
Estevan is an experienced guide who had great knowledge and met the needs of kids and adults. The tour was a great length and even had a passport for the kids to complete inside the observatory. We also had a ticket included in our package for the theatre experience which should not be missed.
It can be cold at night, so pack a jacket and finally... allow plenty of time for parking as this is a popular venue and it may take a while to find a spot and walk to the observatory.
Michael_B, Jan 2026
Estevan was great. He made the experience fun for the whole family. Kids were very engaged and the adults were getting some higher level information. The observatory was really cool as well but having a guide seemed to be critically important. Give yourself time for parking.
ANTHONY_H, Jan 2026
I drove from the 805 area code for 4 hours total in the rain. I circled the observatory hiked in the rain, and never actually stepped foot in the place
Romina_C, Nov 2025
Fun and entertaining and informative
My son said he liked the tour guide, as he was engaging, informative and funny.
Jolene_G, Nov 2025
Great insight and understanding of what you are looking at and not walking around aimlessly in the facility.
Elizabeth_B, Nov 2025
Our guide was very informative, enjoyable and he exceeded our expectations in his knowledge.The only downside we could not go to the roof for observation because of the rain. The Griffin observatory was my favourite sight in LA.
I would visit it again to complete my tour.Especially for a sunset.
Happy_K, Nov 2025
Having knowledgeable tour guide is a must when this trip is your first trip. It's worth it. Trust me.
Tim_Z, Nov 2025
Barry was a great tour guide! Very informative and made sure we got to see all the best things of Griffith Observatory! He was also the narrator of one of the planetarium shows and was phenomenal!
Paula_O, Nov 2025
Excellent tour !! Guide is well informed and relates information interesting for all ages. Feel like I will have a much clearer idea of what I want to see in future visits. Barry made our day !
Eric_N, Sep 2025
Excellent experience. First time going to the observatory. Tour guide Angelica did an outstanding job giving us a guided tour.
Steven_M, Sep 2025
The tour guide totally made this tour great! The observatory was awesome. Leave yourself some extra time to see the other exhibits that the guide does not talk about.
Philip_D, Sep 2025
Friggin awsome great tour and perfect views over all a great time surrounded with good people and services
Sue_A, Aug 2025
You will learn a lot about the importance of the observatory in history, astronomy and the film industry. Great overview of the highlights informed where we went back and spent more time. Our guide, Estevan, kept it interesting and was an employee of the Observatory. Viator Tours always exceed our expectations.
Landa_C, Jul 2025
The tour was awesome. Our guide was really knowledgeable and friendly. The only thing is the parking wasn't great and could be walking a while.
Diane_L, Jul 2025
It was very informative and a lot of great info about the Griffith, our tour guide, was wonderful, we really enjoyed it!!
Thank you, Angelica!!😁
Kayley_B, Jul 2025
Scam. Tour not associated with Observatory and cmpletely unecessary to Observatory experience. Good for elementary level. Guide was knowledgeble
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Kayley,
Thanks for reaching out. We state clearly on our listing that "we are an independent tour company and are not affiliated with the City of LA or their employees". It is not necessary to book this tour to enter the Observatory, rather this is a curated tour to deepen the experience of the Observatory and learn things you might not if you were to visit without a guided tour.
Thank you.
Nancy_J, Jul 2025
I can’t tell you because we weren’t able to have our tour with Esteban because we couldn’t find a parking place at Griffith Park. So very disappointed. Esteban was such a nice guy. He felt as bad as we did. He gave me the name of a company to email about a refund.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for reaching out. We're sorry you were unable to join the tour. Like anywhere in LA, parking is extremely limited at the Griffith Observatory and we suggest guests allow themselves extra time to find parking.
Thank you.
Rosalinda_M, Jul 2025
This is a WALKING tour so if you have issues with walking or are legally blind like myself. You should not do this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Rosalinda,
Thanks for reaching out. We appreciate your feedback. We try our best to make this tour and every tour we offer as accessible as possible. This tour is wheelchair accessible and service animals are allowed. If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at exp1.com/contact.
Thank you.
Sreeya_S, Jul 2025
Griffith Observatory is spectacular and vast. Having Estevan walk us through the highlights was comprehensive and informative
Whitney_K, Jul 2025
Our guide was wonderful and his energy was contagious. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting SoCal
From $56.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Griffith Observatory Insider Tour
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