Skip to Content
Architecture

Griffith Observatory Tour ~ Griffith Park

11:02 AM PST on November 2, 2006

1263.jpg

The Griffith Observatory is the crown jewel of Los Angeles. Sure, our public schools might have been able to use the $90 Million spent to restore it, but we gotta say the old bird looks fucking fantastic. A lot of people have trod its grounds besides a tireiron-foiling James Dean and it needed some botox. The exterior is polished and appears new. The exhibits inside are up-to-date and so user-friendly that even a science retard like me can understand the Big Bang.

5811.jpg

TACO got a tour from 4th District Councildude Tom LaBonge (say it with us..."LaBonge"). Not only does he have a fresh name, his Mad Murdoch enthusiasm is infectious. I don't know much about his politics other than he grew up in Silverlake and has always been a huge advocate for Griffith Park, but I sure like partying with this guy--he defiinitely seems like the one who'd be sticking it in the mashed potaters if you know what I mean.

1940.jpg

The Observatory is free--but the bad news is--they are taking limited reservations for their shuttle *(the parking lot is closed-I guess $90 million only buys so much) so you probably won't be seeing it soon. TACO has taken photos of almost every nook and cranny so you can at least see what you're missing at this small museum with gorgeous views of the city. Put on Stephen Hawking's soothing baritone and enjoy!

3103.jpg
11112.jpg

Tom "Simon" LaBonge, party animal!

1464.jpg
1658.jpg
12100.jpg

These are installations on all the planets and their features with scale models hanging above

1565.jpg

The Museum is super-stoked about this giant photograph of part of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies called the Big Picture. They are scientists, not creative types, so besides the wack name, the photo is very enlightening as to what's going on out there. I think I saw Biggie and 'Pac hiding in there. It is the largest, most accurate photo of space in existence.
1748.jpg

"Huye luna, luna, luna. Si vinieran los gitanos, harían con tu corazón, collares y anillos blancos." ~ Lorca

2191.jpg
2032.jpg
2232.jpg

Meteorites: Friend or Foe?

3012.jpg
3216.jpg

That's me in Predator vision in the exhibit on rays--the gamma and X variety

3316.jpg
3414.jpg

This is the museum talking about it history and for-the-people purpose

3712.jpg
3514.jpg
3613.jpg

Exhibit on equipment and telescopes

3912.jpg
3811.jpg
4119.jpg
4214.jpg
4311.jpg
4412.jpg
4511.jpg
4612.jpg
2521.jpg
2621.jpg
2718.jpg
2814.jpg
2916.jpg
3129.jpg
405.jpg
4712.jpg

Planetarium

4813.jpg
4912.jpg
504.jpg
5113.jpg

Thgis one's about all the elements

1845.jpg

Here's where speakers will speak...clearly

2423.jpg
2327.jpg
5512.jpg

Ummm...could somebody please clean this shit up?

2161.jpg

This looks more like James Dean if he had Down's Syndrome

587.jpg
4103.jpg
5213.jpg
5312.jpg
5411.jpg
5611.jpg
603.jpg

No word on whether it had once been rejected, but this is the original cornerstone of the buidling
679.jpg770.jpg864.jpg1046.jpg945.jpg

More Stories

Investigations Newsletter: When Social Media Breaks the News of Your Friend’s Murder

Victories in this line of work are rare, and it often takes months, if not years, for a story to have an impact. This leaves a lot of time to wonder: What is the point?

November 2, 2026

Final Notice: Democrats Must Abolish ICE If They Win Tomorrow

ICE was created in 2003. It is not some sacred U.S. institution tied to the Founding Fathers. Congress created it. Congress funds it. And Congress can dismantle it.

November 2, 2026

SGV Organizers Step Up to Stop Data Centers By Running Against the Politicians Who Failed Them

A 20-year-old Occidental College student and a florist from Rowland Heights are part of a new crop of political challengers arising in the San Gabriel Valley and they are prepared to give data centers hell.

November 2, 2026

Sunday Taquitos #36: The End Is Near

Sunday Taquitos! Art by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Ivan Ehlers.

November 1, 2026

Vanguards of Language: Obi Kaufmann, Saul Williams, and the Power of Poetry

New books by Kaufmann and Williams are valuable manifestos that urge us to create a new world by transforming how we live and what we create.

October 31, 2026

A Stunning Iranian Bakery From a Former Spago and Lucques Pastry Chef

On the savory side, this shop offers a signature seeded, hot stone-baked barbari, a cumin-tinged wheel of latir bread, shaggy with sesame seeds and dill; and a barley-and-wheat-blended circle of sistani bread, spiced with coriander, cumin, fennel, and turmeric, and speckled with nigella and sesame seeds.

October 30, 2026