The observatory was opened in 1935 after Colonel Griffith J. Griffith left funds in his will for its creation. Admission to the building and grounds is always free, and there are several portable telescopes set up on the lawn for viewers. Interested parties can even look through the historic Zeiss telescope. If you are planning a trip to Los Angeles or live anywhere in the area, a stop at Griffith Observatory is an absolute must. You can come by during the day for a challenging hike, and then return at night to check out that glorious southern California sky.