Griffith Observatory: The 14 Best Tours & Hikes Up

1.Griffith Observatory Hike: Guided Tour through Griffith Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $34Our pick

Walk 3.5 miles through Griffith Park and the Hollywood Hills with a local guide, hearing stories of LA and Hollywood as you climb toward panoramic city views. The tour includes time at Griffith Observatory and photo stops for the Hollywood Sign. Choose a 10am start or a departure one hour before sunset. Bring your own water and wear closed-toe shoes.

“Chris was knowledgeable, safe and attentive. We had a very nice time as a family and would definitely recommend.”

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2.Best of LA: Hollywood, Griffith, Santa Monica, Venice, and Rodeo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 788 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $98

This 7 to 9-hour small-group tour connects Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Venice, with pickup options from Anaheim and Los Angeles. You get a guide, round-trip transport, water, and a lunch stop at the Original Farmers Market. Guides on recent outings have included George, Joe, Jannette, and Keoni, but assignments vary.

“This tour is a great way to see the highlights of Los Angeles in one day. Well organized, smooth transportation, and perfect timing at each stop. From Hollywood and Griffith Observatory to Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Rodeo Drive, everything was well balanced. The guide was professional and informative, and the overall experience was comfortable and enjoyable. Highly recommended, especially if you have limited time in LA.”

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3.Hollywood Night Tour with Griffith Observatory

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 531 reviews · 1h 30m · from $49

Starline Tours takes you past Hollywood’s theaters and Sunset Boulevard in an open-air vehicle, then gives you time at Griffith Observatory for city views. Guides have included Brian, Craig and Daren, though your guide will vary. Plan for a brisk 90 minutes, and bring a jacket.

“Unfortunately I chose the day the observatory was closed but... Very nice experience”

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4.Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, Santa Monica & Venice Tour from Anaheim

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 345 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $92

Start in Anaheim or Buena Park for an 8 to 9 hour guided loop through LA, Hollywood and the coast. Hotel pickup is offered, and groups are capped at 12. Expect brief stops at Griffith Observatory and Beverly Hills, time for lunch at Original Farmers Market, and visits to Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach. Guides have included Nate, Johnny, Alberto and Alfredo.

“Our tour guide, Nate, did a fantastic job ! Enjoyed the stops in LA : Griffith Observatory, Walk of Fame, Original Farmer's Market, Santa Monica Pier !”

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5.Griffith Observatory Insider Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 306 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Meet your guide at the Astronomers Monument for a 90-minute walk through Griffith Observatory’s history, astronomy, and film lore. Groups are limited to 15, and guides such as Estevan, Barry, and Angelica have made the stories engaging for both adults and children. The package information lists a Samuel Oschin Planetarium ticket; check that your selected option includes the show.

“Our guide was wonderful and his energy was contagious. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting SoCal”

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6.Griffith Observatory Insider Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 287 reviews · 1h 30m · from $52

Meet at the Astronomers Monument for a 90-minute Griffith Observatory tour covering its science exhibits, architecture, LA history, and views of the Hollywood Sign and coast. The itinerary was designed by observatory employees, but the tour is run by independent company ExperienceFirst California. A Samuel Oschin Planetarium show ticket is included.

“Our guide Estevan went far and beyond our expectations, he was super knowledgeable of not just the contents shown in the Observatory, but also the observatory's history and purpose. He was always looking out for all his guests. We arrived late to the tour (First time in LA and traffic was surprising to us) and he was able to accommodate us despite that. All in all a great experience, I highly recommend it.”

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7.Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, with Beaches from Anaheim

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 207 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $88

This 8 to 9 hour guided trip from Anaheim links Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica, the Original Farmers Market, Venice Beach, Hollywood and Griffith Observatory. You get timed stops to explore, plus a driver-guide for the long stretches between LA sights. Groups are capped at 13; past guides have included Johnny and Alberto.

“I wasn't sure about that tour, but finally you have to do it without hesitation if you go to Anaheim. Such a wonderful guide with a lot of experience. Follow my kid advise Johnny is the best.”

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8.Griffith Observatory Guided Hike/Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 199 reviews · 2h 30m · from $34

In 2.5 hours, a local, CPR- and first-aid-certified guide leads you from the Greek Theatre through Griffith Park to the Observatory. Expect Hollywood filming spots, views of Downtown LA and the Hollywood Sign, photo stops, park history, and entry to the Observatory building. Guides named in past tours include Katie, Mark, George, and Emily.

“Taylor did a Good job at communicating to our group and giving us background information on the city and the Hollywood sign! Very enthusiastic and awesome tour guide! Worth the hike!! Not at all what i expected. Totally recommend (:”

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9.Private Getty Center to Griffith Observatory Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 185 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $172

Spend about six hours with a private local guide, visiting the Getty Center and Griffith Observatory and riding through Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip, and Hollywood. You’ll get guided highlights at both main stops, plus time to explore. Guides such as Matt, Brian, Gregory, and Estevan have been praised for lively local stories. Lunch is not included.

“Brian was friendly and knowledgeable. This tour was the perfect amount of time to see a lot of LA. It gave a snapshot of areas I want to visit again to spend more time.”

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10.Hollywood Sign Hiking Tour to Griffith Observatory

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 106 reviews · 2 hours · from $613

Walk from Franklin’s Cafe and Market through Los Feliz and Griffith Park to the Art Deco Griffith Observatory. Your private English-speaking guide shares Hollywood stories, neighborhood architecture and park history as you climb at a slow pace. The hike includes steep sections equal to 12 flights of stairs, with stops for views of the Hollywood Sign and Los Angeles.

“Gregory was fantastic. He told us so many exciting stories about thr sites we visited! He is a live cyclopedia with all these contents of history and art and architecture! He gave us 100 times more than we expected!”

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11.Hollywood Sign Hiking Tour to Griffith Observatory

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 99 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $39

Walk through Griffith Park and Los Feliz with a local guide, then reach Griffith Observatory for views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign from afar. The route includes notable homes such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House, seen from outside. Expect a steady, sometimes steep hike, historical stories and a small group of up to 15.

“We had a wonderful morning hike with Matt. He had a great breath of knowledge about LA's history. We learned a lot and had fun!”

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12.Hollywood Night Tour with Griffith Observatory

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 67 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $49

This 90-minute English-language bus tour starts at 1738 N Orange Dr and pairs a narrated drive past Hollywood sights with a 30-minute visit to Griffith Observatory. Expect city and Hollywood Sign views, plus stories from your driver. Guides named on past tours include Brian, Michael, Dave, and Craig, though the lineup can change.

“Good as advertised. The driver was knowledgeable of the different sites and we spent 45 mins at the Observatory.”

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13.Private Tour of Griffith Observatory

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 58 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $349

Spend about three hours at Griffith Observatory with a private guide, with stops at the Astronomers Monument and exhibits such as the Foucault Pendulum and Tesla Coil. Guides including Estevan, Angelica, and Matt have brought astronomy and Observatory history to life. Admission is included; a 40-minute planetarium show costs extra.

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

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14.G’day LA by Luxury E-Bike: Griffith Park, Observatory to LA River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 3 hours to 3 hours 20 minutes (approx.) · from $175

Join a small-group ride from Atwater Village with local guide Gavin and premium e-bikes, each with its own name. You’ll follow the LA River, climb through Griffith Park to the Observatory and Hollywood Sign viewpoints, then return by quiet neighborhood streets. Plan on about three hours and bring experience riding a regular bike.

“What a nice host/host family!!!! We had booked this activity to see the sights whilst enjoying e-bikes (something we love to do when travelling to see different sights!). Unfortunately the weather was so bad the trip couldn't go ahead. The host was extremely informative, communicative and apologetic although it was completely out of their control. We had got engaged a couple of days before the tour and the host had got us a congratulations balloon which was SO kind and thoughtful!! Although we didn't get to complete the tour, they deserve 5 stars nonetheless for the communication, kindness and personableness we experienced. 100% recommend. Ps the bikes look SO SO…”

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