Griffith Observatory has always been a gift for all Angelenos to enjoy. We're not afraid of serious science in Southern California—see JPL, SpaceX—but the telescope at Griffith Park is more about inspiration than in-depth inquiries. You can thank LA's greatest-named philanthropist Col. Griffith J. Griffith for that; after looking through the telescope at Mt. Wilson Observatory, he decided LA should have its own world-changing spot to gaze into space.
That spirit of cosmic curiosity is still alive and well at the free Public Star Parties. One Saturday a month, the Griffith Observatory complements its famous (albeit sort of fuzzy) 12-inch telescope with a crew of amateur astronomers. Volunteers from the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers and the Planetary Society meet on the Observatory's front lawn and set up a variety of telescopes through which the public is welcome to look.
The parties are as much a chance to gaze out on the sun, moon and—marine layer permitting—stars and planets as it is to chat up knowledgable Angelenos about the cosmos. Just a heads up that you can't bring your own telescope; the on-site astronomers will take care of that. Find out what's in view before you go, thanks to the Observatory's weekly sky report.
Public Star Parties are held at the Griffith Observatory one Saturday a month from 2pm to 9:45pm; all telescope viewing must be completed by closing time, so lines may cut off sooner.