Excerpt:
The Griffith Observatory has been a major Los Angeles landmark since 1935. It was visited by nearly two million people each year and ranked as one of the top tourist attractions of Southern California. It sits on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood where it commands a stunning view of the Los Angeles basin below. Tens of millions of people enjoyed the view from its balconies and terraces, especially at night. For safety reasons, the grounds (and some nearby hiking trails) are closed to the public and the Observatory site is a fenced-off hard-hat construction area. There is no public access to the Observtory or its lawn. The trail from the Observatory parking lot up to Mt. Hollywood will be open most days of the construction period, but will be closed on occasion.