With grassy lawns, but also mountain vistas, you can see for miles – smog permitting. The roads leading into the park do not all connect, so it’s best to know where you want to go before you arrive or you may wander about trying to get to the correct location.

 
There are pony rides, horseback trails, hiking trails, picnic areas, an observatory and a merry-go-round, among other attractions.

First stop – Griffith Observatory

Driving up the road to the Griffith Observatory, the road curves and snakes about. Keeping alert to those coming in the opposite direction is a must as there are some turns where you just cannot see what’s ahead. Once you get there, if you’re early enough, you might be able to park in the parking lot. Otherwise, grab a spot along the road leading to the observatory.

Hollywood sign from Griffith Observatory

Before even getting near telescopes, from the Griffith Observatory a visitor can see the Hollywood sign nestled on the mountainside. You can also look in the valley below – seeing through the smoggy haze – and see Hollywood, and the business center of the City of Los Angeles.

It’s a great vantage point from anywhere you stand.

Griffith Observatory

Once inside the Observatory, there are exhibits on the planets, seasons and other things celestial. There are bright, appealing displays and people of all ages were enjoying the exhibits. (No charge just to head into the observatory and look at the exhibits.)

 
People line up (and pay) to see the planetarium show, but we didn’t stop since we had a lot to see and do. The shows are held every 60-90 minutes.

There is no charge to see the building and the grounds. The Observatory is closed on Mondays.

Next stop: Going round and round

I wanted to ride on the merry-go-round at Griffith Park. Really. I love merry-go-rounds. At least you purposefully choose to go up and down, round and round. Life doesn’t always give you that choice.

Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round

The merry-go-round is a vintage one with painted, jeweled horses – some needing refurbishment – and a wonderful calliope (the Stinson Military Band Organ), playing rousing marches and other music.

Merry-go-round horse

Stinson Military Band Organ - Calliope

The painted scenes around the top of the merry-go-round have been partially restored. Some of the horses have their paint crumbling, but the ride and the music are still definitely worth it. For $2 per ride, it’s a joyous bargain.

Restored detail

Children were enjoying the ride, but some adults were unabashedly – like me – getting into the spirit of the old-fashioned entertainment, which has been around since 1937.

 
On one side under the roof of the merry-go-round is a small display with several wooden horses showing one just carved, one decorated, and one vintage horse with Walt Disney’s beaming visage on a large photo behind it.

 
If you’re going to LA, save a morning or full day to enjoy Griffith Park. And save time for the LA Zoo that is also in Griffith Park, which we didn’t have time for on this trip. Sigh – I also love zoos. Next time…I promise myself.

http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/griffithPK/mgr.htm

NEXT WEEK:  A trip to Alaska with guest writer Peggy Bradshaw