Stargazing in Los Angeles: Our Top 13

1.Griffith Observatory Hike: Guided Tour through Griffith Park

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

Join a first-aid and CPR-certified local guide, such as Michael, Josh, Chris, or Sarah, for a 3.5-mile hike through Griffith Park. Expect uphill sections, Hollywood history, Hollywood Sign photo stops, views over Los Angeles, and entry to Griffith Observatory. Morning and sunset departures are offered.

“Uphill hike for about 30 min. Manageable but may be tough for some. It was all worth it for the view though! Our guide Michael was great! Shared some Hollywood stories along the way and helped me with my bags as well!”

Check availability →Read the full review

2.Griffith Observatory Insider Tour

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

Explore Griffith Observatory with a small group of up to 15 people and a guide such as Estevan, Barry, or Angelica. You’ll begin at the Astronomers Monument, see the Foucault Pendulum, Tesla Coil, Einstein statue, and Hollywood Sign views, then attend the Samuel Oschin Planetarium show when included in your booking. Allow extra time for parking.

“Estevan was great. He made the experience fun for the whole family. Kids were very engaged and the adults were getting some higher level information. The observatory was really cool as well but having a guide seemed to be critically important. Give yourself time for parking.”

Check availability →Read the full review

3.Griffith Observatory Insider Tour

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

Spend 90 minutes exploring Griffith Observatory with a live English-speaking guide and an itinerary designed by observatory employees. See the Hollywood Sign and LA beaches, learn about astronomy, architecture, history, and films, then use your included ticket for a 40-minute Samuel Oschin Planetarium show. Guides have included Barry, Angelica, Estevan, Oscar, and Matt.

“Estevan is an amazing guide, great mix of science and culture facts, great experience”

Check availability →Read the full review

4.Private Getty Center to Griffith Observatory Guided Tour

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

Spend six hours exploring Los Angeles by private vehicle, from the Original Farmers Market to the Getty Center and Griffith Observatory. Guides such as Brian, Matt, Gregory, and Estevan are praised for lively local stories. Expect museum highlights, Hollywood views, and time to explore, but bring lunch and allow for traffic delays.

“Brian is so awesome,professional and nice!!! He is so enthusiastic and nice!! We are looking forward to seeing him again on our next trip!”

Check availability →Read the full review

5.Hollywood Sign Hiking Tour to Griffith Observatory

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

Walk from Franklin’s Cafe in Los Feliz through Griffith Park to the Griffith Observatory, with a private English-speaking guide. You’ll climb the equivalent of 12 flights of stairs at a slow pace, see the Hollywood sign and Ennis House, hear stories about old Hollywood, and choose between visiting the observatory or walking back with your guide.

“My best friend and I toured with Matt! He was so awesome, friendly, and very knowledgeable. From old time Hollywood to current - Matt knows his stuff! He also recommended different restaurants for my friend who was staying for the week! 10/10 would recommend! Thanks for making our LA experience wonderful =)”

Check availability →Read the full review

6.Hollywood Sign Hiking Tour to Griffith Observatory

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

Walk with a local guide such as Paul, Lisa, Matt, or Chris through Griffith Park and Los Feliz to Griffith Observatory. Expect a moderate-to-strenuous climb, city views, Hollywood Sign photo stops, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House from outside, and plenty of LA stories. The sign remains at a distance.

“Our guide was very informative and patient. Had a great time!”

Check availability →Read the full review

7.Hollywood Night Tour with Griffith Observatory

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

Ride from 1738 N Orange Drive through Hollywood landmarks, studios, celebrity neighborhoods, and the Walk of Fame area, then spend about 30 to 45 minutes at Griffith Observatory. Guides such as Brian, Michael, Dave, and Craig bring local stories, but timing can change with traffic. The open-sided bus makes a jacket essential.

“In November, go early afternoon, not at dusk, bring a jacket. Very informative, interesting venue. Dave and Craig were wonderful and helpful.”

Check availability →Read the full review

8.Private Tour of Griffith Observatory

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

Spend three hours exploring Griffith Observatory with a private guide for your group of up to 10. Former observatory employees help explain the Foucault Pendulum, Tesla Coil, astronomy displays, and Los Angeles views. Guides including Estevan, Angelica, Matt, James, and Jeff have led this experience. A 40-minute planetarium show is available as an on-site upgrade.

“I love going on tours and got lucky with this tour company. Our guide was an employee of the observatory, and his background knowledge and experience made this tour outstanding. He was able to give us information that most other companies could not and his relationship with others gave us an advantage.”

Check availability →Read the full review

9.Griffith Observatory: Scott E-Bike Tours LA Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $124

Scott leads a private 3 to 4 hour e-bike tour from the Hollywood Walk of Fame through film sites, music landmarks, city parks, Hollywood Hills streets, and prime Hollywood Sign viewpoints. Powerful bikes help with steep climbs, while Scott adds nearly 20 years of local stories and takes photos along the way.

“I recently took the Hollywood e-bike tour, and it was by far the best experience I've had in Los Angeles! My guide, Scott, was nothing short of amazing—his passion for the city, dedication to making sure I had a great time, and thoughtful approach to the tour truly stood out. Scott was excellent company and made sure I not only saw all the iconic sights but also shared fun facts and hidden gems that I never would have discovered on my own. If you're looking to see LA from a fresh, unique perspective, I highly recommend Scott’s tours. You won’t be disappointed!”

Check availability →Read the full review

10.Private Getty Center to Griffith Observatory Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 23 reviews · from $480

Spend six hours with a private English-speaking guide, beginning at the Getty Center and ending with Griffith Observatory. You’ll have guided visits, free time, and a narrated van ride through Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip, and Hollywood. Guides such as Gregory, Brian, and Bryan are praised for humor, patience, and local detail.

“Our tour guide Gregory was knowledgeable, entertaining, and funny! He made the tour so enjoyable. Our bus driver Tony got us to each destination safely and he was friendly as well. Wonderful sights at Getty and Griffith. Loved it!”

Check availability →Read the full review

11.From Hollywood: Griffith Observatory Sunset Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet in Hollywood for a 90-minute sunset tour by open-top luxury minibus. Your live guide adds context as you pass city sights, then you get about 30 minutes at Griffith Observatory for exhibits, telescopes, and wide views across Los Angeles. The tour ends where it starts.

Check availability →Read the full review

12.Griffith Observatory Open-top Sunset Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 6 reviews · from $56

Start on Hollywood Boulevard and ride an open-top Mercedes minibus through Hollywood Hills and Los Feliz to Griffith Observatory. Your English-speaking guide shares LA stories during the 30-minute ride, followed by 30 minutes to explore astronomy exhibits, telescopes, and views of Downtown LA, the Pacific, and the Hollywood Sign.

Check availability →Read the full review

13.Private Tour of Griffith Observatory

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 3 hours · from $564

Meet your English-speaking guide at the Astronomers Monument for a three-hour private tour of Griffith Observatory. Explore the Foucault Pendulum, Tesla Coil, Einstein statue, and Palomar telescope display while learning about space, Los Angeles, architecture, and movie history. Add the 40-minute planetarium show on-site if seats are available.

“Michael was a fabulous guide and experiencing the observatory as a private tour was fantastic! Totally worth the money.”

Check availability →Read the full review