Griffith Park, Los Angeles

The Griffith Observatory was designed with the public in mind. It was the creation of J. Griffith who wanted to create a center with telescopes that would be free to everyone in the hope that it would expand people's perspectives. He donated money to the city to build the center but delays meant that the project was not completed before his death. Upon his death in 1919, Griffith bequeathed more money for the creation of the observatory and theater and in 1935 the Griffith Observatory was opened. It has remained free for visitors and as a result, millions of people have had access to the center.The observatory is located on a hilltop outside the Los Angeles city center and offers viewing opportunities both during the day and night. The Griffith Observatory is part of Griffith Park on Mount Hollywood.The Zeiss telescope is the highlight, allowing for viewing of the moon and planets. There are also three solar telescopes allowing for viewing of the sun. In addition to the telescopes there is the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater, and the Robert J and Suzanne Gottlieb Transit Corridor, a unique outdoor sky viewing area.

The Travel Town Museum in Los Angeles was established in 1952 by Charley Atkins, a Recreations and Parks maintenance employee and some like-minded rail enthusiasts. Exhibits include a number of locomotives including Southern Pacific #3025 built by the American Locomotive Co. in 1904 as well as passenger and freight cars. Visitors can still see the now obsolete caboose including Oahu Railway and Land Caboose #1. Equipment is displayed in the yard, which is continually being expanded and for a different view of the museum, take a trip on the miniature train.There is a miniature train which runs around the outside of the museum and is very popular with children. Travel Town is free but there is a small fee for rides on the miniature train.

Autry Museum of Western Heritage, opened in November 1988 in Griffith Park contains over 14,000 artifacts on the history of the West or Wild West, and also has two galleries for temporary exhibitions. In seven galleries by means of rare old films such as westerns with Buffalo Bill, a reproduction of a Hollywood studio, and costumes and other exhibits dating from the time the wild west was discovered, you can see how Hollywood portrayed the wild west on film.

The Los Angeles Zoo has been in existence only since 1966, and thus is one of the newest zoological gardens in the USA. About 2,000 animals, many grouped in their natural environment and according to their native habitat, roam around on the 115 acres/46 hectares.Among other things there is a reptile house, a section for aquatic animals and one for birds. The koala-bear house and the children's zoo are very popular.

In this open-air theater (2700 North Vermont Avenue) jazz and rock concerts with very well-known soloists are held from May to October.The Greek Theatre is a 5,800 seat venue in a tree-enclosed setting of Griffith Park.

Griffith Park Golf Course is owned and operated by city of Los Angeles. There is also a 50 tee double-deckeddriving range.