Los Angeles – March 2026 – First Trip of the Year

This was our first trip of 2026. My wife and I flew into Los Angeles to visit college friends and attend a Lakers game. The flight was on time, and the weather was clear when we landed at LAX.

After getting off the plane, we headed outside to wait for our friend to pick us up. The usual airport activity was in full swing — steady traffic, people moving in and out of the terminal, and the control tower visible above the roadway. It was a typical LAX scene, busy but predictable.

We took a couple of photos while waiting, mainly to document the start of the trip. This was not a photography-focused visit, but it was still easy to take a picture when the opportunity was right in front of us.

Friday gave us time to eat dinner and catch up. We planned some light sightseeing for Saturday since you cannot cover all of Southern California in a day. Griffith Observatory seemed like a good option for a half-day visit, and our friends were familiar with the area. We parked in the free lot below and took the shuttle up to the observatory.

The observatory was busy but not overcrowded. We stayed outside and moved between the main walkway and the upper terrace. The weather was clear, which made it easy to see downtown, the Hollywood sign, and the surrounding hills. Visibility was better than expected for this time of year.

We took several photos and walked around the perimeter. The building and grounds are well maintained, and the layout makes it easy to move between viewing areas. This stop was not intended to be a long visit, but it was a straightforward way to start the day and catch up before heading out for a late lunch. Additional photos are available in the California section of the website.

We spent a few minutes inside the observatory to look at the pendulum and the exhibits. The interior was busy but easy to move through. The displays were well organized, but they would have required more time and attention than we had available.

Although my wife and I have visited the Los Angeles area several times, this was our first time at Griffith Observatory. It was an enjoyable stop and a good way to see more of the city before continuing with the day.

After the observatory, we stopped at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles for lunch and then headed to The Grove. We walked the main outdoor section and spent a short time looking around before calling it a day.

Sunday was game day. After a 30-minute drive to downtown Los Angeles, we took a few pictures, watched the Lakers beat the Knicks, and flew out that night. It all goes by too quickly.