Griffith Park Observatory. Photo by Juan Suarez and Jennifer Marlo.
This is an awesome date that is physical, intellectual and totally affordable! I recommend starting the hike no later than 1pm and allowing at least 3 hours.
Begin at the park on Fern Dell, which you will find on the corner of Los Feliz and Fern Dell. (Parking is free on the street, just make sure you are back by sunset to avoid a ticket) In the park, you will find a beautiful little stream surrounded by over 50 species of lush ferns. Follow the trail until you reach the public park. At the park you will see a dry riverbed. Take the trail to your right and hike up to Griffith Observatory.
Griffith Observatory opened to the public on May 14, 1935, 16 years after Griffith J. Griffith passed away and left the observatory trust. The observatory has been featured in countless movies, most notably in Rebel Without A Cause. Appropriately, a bronze bust of James Dean sits in view of the Hollywood sign on the observatory grounds.
The Observatory offers incredible panoramic views of Los Angeles including downtown, Santa Monica, the Pacific Ocean and the Hollywood sign. This is a great place for photo enthusiasts, so be sure to bring your camera.
Entrance to the observatory is free. Check out the interesting displays, including a functioning Tesla coil and a massive panorama of our galaxy on the lower floor of the observatory.
After the quirky Leonard Nemoy planetarium movie, grab a fruit parfait at the Observatory café and watch the sun slowly dip into the Pacific Ocean.
For other Griffith Park date ideas click here.
Comments
This sounds lovely, but how can a person watch the sunset from the Observatory while hiking back to Fern Dell park to get your car back before sunset? Sounds impossible.
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