Private Tour of Griffith Observatory
Recommended by 90% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Los Angeles, USA
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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
- Private guide and expert on the Griffith Observatory
- Curated itinerary design by former Griffith Observatory employees
- Glimpse of the night sky as seen from the Samuel Oschin Telescope at Palomar Observatory
- Photo op with a statue of Albert Einstein statue
- Panoramic views of the Hollywood Sign
- Optional upgrade on-site for your ticket to see a 40-minute show in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium
- Gratuities
- Parking
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 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.Itinerary
Astronomers Monument (Pass By)
1
Griffith Observatory
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- 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
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 59 reviews
Mahesh_G, Jun 2025
The guide met us at the designated location at the stipulated time. The tour started with the introductions and viewing and explaining the outside surroundings of the property.
The guide was very knowledgeable, took time to explain in detail of various parts of the observatory.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for taking time to leave a review. We're glad you had a good time.
Allison_A, Jun 2025
Angelica did an amazing job! Her timing was spot-on, and we got to see all the hidden gems you might never notice on your own. I really recommend this tour – you won’t be disappointed!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
That's what we like to hear! We're glad that you enjoyed the tour and we'll pass on the kind words to Angelica.
JoAnn_V, May 2025
Matt was one of the best guides we’ve ever had for a tour. He was extremely knowledgeable but made everything easy to understand. Without a guide we wouldn’t have gotten half as much information as we did as the observatory pretty much has a “look around on your own” approach. Matt identified all of the most important items for us. And he took great photos!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Matt is a rockstar - so glad to hear that you enjoyed your time in the Observatory and that Matt made it even more memorable. Thanks for joining :)
Lauren_B, Mar 2024
Estevan was amazing! He had such a passion for the observatory! He was also very fun and interesting. Highly recommend!
Sean_Q, Feb 2024
Estevan was a great and knowledgeable tour guide. We really enjoyed the experience. If you like science, and some LA history, you”ll enjoy this tour.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
We're happy to hear that you had a great time with Estevan as your tour guide. It's fantastic that you found the experience enjoyable and that Estevan's knowledge added to your appreciation of both science and LA history. Cheers to more adventures ahead!
DanfordM_B, Jan 2024
Excellent Tour - Excellent Guide - definitely worth the cost to have such a good resource. Highly recommend.
Tricia_G, Jan 2024
Estevan was an amazing guide. We are locals and have done the Observatory before, but Estevan made the trip more interesting. He went above and beyond to assist us with 2 wheel chairs for my aging parents. He could also help us find bathrooms and elevators.
Ellis, Dec 2023
Estevan is a font of information. He worked with our time limits and modified our tour. He knows people at the Observatory so he was able to get us ahead of the line to view Saturn on a telescope.
There is so much to see and learn at the Observatory.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Estevan is truly a treasure trove of information! We're thrilled that the guide could adapt the tour to fit your schedule and even arrange a special viewing of Saturn through the telescope. The wealth of knowledge at the Observatory is indeed fascinating, and we're grateful for your visit!
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.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
We're glad Jeff provided a great tour! It's fantastic that you enjoyed the history and the city's nighttime views. Thank you for joining us on this adventure!
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
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.
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
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!
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.
Kimberly_V, Mar 2023
Esteban was great! Very enthusiastic and knowlegable, and he gave a great presentation. Would highly recommend.
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!
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.
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!!
con_b, Dec 2022
James was an excellent host , very intelligent , informative and entertaining. Highly recommend this tour
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bob_B, Mar 2022
James was the greatest tour guide. He did everything on the tour with great interest and really provided a great educational experience for our group!
Karen_M, Jan 2022
Estevan was a wonderful guide! He really our experience informative and entertaining! He took time with us to really bring the observatory to life.
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From $282.22
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Private Tour of Griffith Observatory
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