When it comes to site seeing in LA, I’m a complete sucker for even the most touristy destinations. It doesn’t matter to me if the locals don’t do it. I’m always down for a corny adventure and the opportunity to step up my Instagram game.
This is my second year living in LA, and even though I only grew up one hour away, there are still some common things I’m yet to see. Over a three-day weekend, I managed to convince one of my roommates to take advantage of the extra time and do a little exploring with me.
One of the things that has been sitting on my LA bucket list for quite some time is Griffith Observatory! I have seen so many people’s amazing pictures on Instagram and it’s been a filming location for many movies, including Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttleand La La Land(two of my personal favorites!). Having seen all of the hype, I decided I wanted to see it for myself, and boy am I glad I did!
Griffith Observatory serves as one of LA’s most iconic landmarks. Situated at the top of Mount Hollywood, the Observatory opened its doors in 1935, and it has hardly changed a bit! The Observatory itself emits a classic Old Hollywood energy that feels absolutely magical.
Inside, the Observatory is filled with the planetarium and engaging displays for adults and kids alike on various scientific topics including everything from tides, eclipses, the seasons, the chemical makeup of the sun, and the visible light spectrum. I was surprised to discover that I had learned a lot of this in an astronomy class I took last year (thank you, college education!). However, the most spectacular part of the Observatory might not even be the Observatory itself, but rather its surroundings. From Griffith Observatory, you can see the LA skyline, beautiful hills, and even the Hollywood sign! These upstairs balconies are by far the place to take all of your Instagram-worthy pictures.
The whole day felt rather surreal. Even though I was only less than an hour from where I currently live, it felt like a whole other world. As a student (and like many other students), my day primarily consists of going to class, studying for exams, working out, and keeping up with my friends. With so many of the things I do on a daily basis being centered around school, UCLA and Westwood sometimes feel like a bubble, and it can become so easy to forget that it is only one tiny sliver of Los Angeles. From the top of the Observatory, you can see the rest of LA, that I often forget exists. The view at the Observatory that day reminded me of everything else there is to see here, and I hope to share all of that with you!
xx
Emily
