Griffith Park: Fern Dell up to the Observatory, down to the Greek

The Observatory's own suggestion for skipping the drive up: hike from the Fern Dell entrance on the south edge of Griffith Park up to Griffith Observatory (free since 1935, views of downtown, the basin and the Hollywood Sign), then down the trail toward the Greek Theatre and catch the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus back to Vermont/Sunset station. Trail distance and climb are longer than the straight-line figure here: use a Griffith Park trail map.

Best time: Weekend from 10am, or weekdays arriving after noon when the building opens; stay for sunset. Observatory closed Mondays.

The route, stop by stop

1. 1
   Fern Dell

   Fern Dell Drive entrance on the park's south edge, one of the two trail starts the Observatory recommends; LA Rec and Parks lists Fern Dell / Trails Cafe among the park's attractions. 10 min.

   A shaded creek ravine at the southwest corner of Griffith Park, planted with more than 50 fern species and crossed by small bridges, and a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument…

2. 2
   Griffith Observatory

   Opened 1935 on Mount Hollywood's south slope; building, grounds and public telescopes are free (Planetarium shows are ticketed). Tue-Fri 12:00-22:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-22:00, closed Mon (Observatory, Oct 2026). 90 min.

   The 1935 Art Deco observatory on Mount Hollywood gives the classic view over the basin and straight at the Hollywood Sign; inside are the Foucault pendulum under Hugo Ballin's…

3. 3
   Greek Theatre

   Amphitheatre open since the early 1930s, owned by the City of LA (Wikipedia); DASH Observatory/Los Feliz stops here (every 20-25 min, 10am-10pm, 50 cents). 5 min.

Walking directions

More walks in Los Angeles

• Broadway: the Historic Core and its movie palaces1.9 km · 2 h
• El Pueblo, Union Station and Chinatown2.3 km · 3 h 15 min
• Little Tokyo and the Arts District1.9 km · 3 h 50 min
• Bunker Hill: library, steps, Angels Flight and Grand Avenue2.8 km · 4 h 25 min
• Silver Lake stairways: Micheltorena to the Music Box Steps4.3 km · 3 h 5 min
• Hollywood Boulevard beyond the stars: movie palaces and old Hollywood2.1 km · 1 h 50 min
• Venice canals, Abbot Kinney and the boardwalk to Santa Monica Pier7.1 km · 3 h 50 min
• Old Pasadena to the Colorado Street Bridge3.3 km · 3 h 55 min