Where Los Angeles Meets the Sky

Griffith Observatory is an iconic feature of the local landscape and a beacon that reminds us we are all connected to the cosmos and to each other. Over 1.6 million people visit each year, but few are familiar with the Observatory’s founding vision and the community support needed to realize that vision and keep it shining brightly for the world.

In the early 1900s, Griffith J. Griffith had a life-changing experience when he looked through a research telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains. When he saw the rings of Saturn with his own eye, he said, “If all mankind could look through this telescope, it would change the world.” 

It became Griffith’s dream to make this profound experience available to the public. He envisioned an observatory where instruments of observation were free and everyone had the opportunity to observe the sky. Since opening its doors in 1935, that is exactly what Griffith Observatory has done. 

Perched on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, the Observatory welcomes visitors from near and far to see awe-inspiring shows in the historic Samuel Oschin Planetarium, interact with exhibits of various scientific subjects, and come together to ask questions about the Universe and our place in it.

Griffith Observatory is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks and, as such, subject to competition for limited public resources. In order to flourish, the Observatory relies on essential support from its exclusive nonprofit partner, Griffith Observatory Foundation. 

Since 1978, the Foundation has provided the support necessary to promote, advance, and preserve this gift to our great city. The Foundation is a network of individual donors and funders dedicated to ensuring the future of public astronomy for all.

“We are a community unified under the stars,” explains the Foundation’s Director of Development Melanie Flavin. “Our supporters are dedicated to the greater good, passionate about science literacy, and share a hopeful vision for the future.”

When asked about the Foundation’s mission to promote science literacy, Flavin describes astronomy as a “gateway” science that captivates and propels curiosity. 

“You see these lightbulb moments in visitors of all ages, but especially with children. There’s this instant where something clicks and they start to wonder what else there is to discover. That spark of inquiry and curiosity is what we’re after, and it is so satisfying to witness,” says Flavin.

Visitors of all ages flock to the Observatory from all over Southern California and from around the world to enjoy this space together and be in awe of the wonders of the cosmos and the sky. Everyone who visits has access to live talks and demonstrations presented by Griffith Observatory Museum Guides and Telescope Demonstrators as well as opportunities for live observing with the building’s public instruments, just as Griffith J. Griffith envisioned it over a century ago.  

“Investing in science literacy and free access to accurate scientific content is an investment in our collective future,” says Flavin. “I think that motivates many of our supporters. Griffith Observatory delivers impact that is both far-reaching and deeply personal. Foundation donors ensure that will continue for the next generation.”