Los Angeles highlight
Griffith Observatory
A free public observatory operated by the City of Los Angeles since 1935, drawing 1.6 million visitors annually to view the night sky and explore astronomy.
The Observatory occupies a hilltop location at 2800 East Observatory Road in Griffith Park and was established in 1935 through a bequest by Griffith J. Griffith, whose 1919 will specified the purpose, location and design of the facility. The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks operates it with no admission charge, fulfilling the original donor's vision of free public access.
The 67,000-square-foot building houses the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, free telescope viewing on clear evenings, sixty interactive exhibits and views across the city to the Hollywood Sign. Approximately 1.6 million people visit each year. Between 2002 and 2006, a comprehensive $93 million renovation modernized the building while preserving its historic character, and the facility has now welcomed more than 85 million visitors since opening.
The Observatory represents a kind of community asset that families return to at different life stages: a childhood visit, a teenager's first view of Saturn, an adult showing the constellations to a new generation. Each stage of life brings different planning needs, and comparing insurance options at transition points keeps protection aligned with what matters most.