It's a Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles. The temperature is a balmy 73 degrees. The sun has begun its slow dance towards the western horizon as wispy clouds turn from pink to mauve. It's one of those perfect days reaffirming why we live here.
You and your partner have no plans and worse, no money but you don't want to waste such a perfect evening. So what do you do? Grab a blanket and a bottle of wine. Stop by Trader Joe's on your way to pick up some cheese, crackers and one of their yummy charcuterie and head down Los Feliz Boulevard and then up North Vermont Avenue towards Griffith Observatory. Trust me.
Parking is free and so is admission to the 1935, art deco Observatory, a true architectural masterpiece. Wander around the porticoes surrounding the planetarium dome to take in the southern views of downtown and the surrounding golden mountains. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Century City and the Pacific Ocean. Linger long enough to watch the light of the Los Angeles basin begin to illuminate and twinkle as the sun dips below the horizon. Or look towards the northwest to catch a great view of the Hollywood sign. You can take a hike along the one of Griffith Park's trails to get a closer look and to get that selfie (but you can't get too close).
After the sun has set, head back to the main lawn and spread out your blanket and pop open that bottle of wine. Lie back and take in the night sky. Don't forget to make a wish!
But the real reason to come to the Observatory is the Zeiss refracting telescope located on the roof deck in the eastern dome. About a half hour before sunset, scores of couples, young and old, line up for their chance to look through the 9,000-pound telescope for an up-close glimpse of the cosmos. And it's all free.
There are few places in Los Angeles that are as magical as the Griffith Observatory. Whether you've visited in the past or are planning to venture there soon, Kic Jam Designs offers a collection of original posters of the Observatory. Check them out here. All are original designs, printed to order, and come in six different sizes.