Made world-famous in the film Rebel Without a Cause, Griffith Observatory's bronze domes have been Hollywood Hills landmarks since 1935. Most visitors don't actually go inside; they come to this spot on the south slope of Mount Hollywood for unparalleled city views. On warm nights, with the lights twinkling below, this is one of the most romantic places in L.A.

The main dome houses a planetarium, where narrated projection shows reveal the stars and planets that are hidden from the naked eye by the city's lights and smog. Other shows take you on excursions into space to search for extraterrestrial life, or examine the causes of earthquakes and moonquakes.

The adjacent Hall of Science holds exhibits on galaxies, meteorites, and other cosmic objects, including a telescope trained on the sun, a Foucault pendulum, and earth and moon globes 6 feet in diameter. On clear nights you can gaze at the heavens through the powerful 12-inch telescope.

Please note: The entire Griffith Observatory area is closed for a major renovation and expansion and will not reopen until May 2005. However, a temporary "Griffith Observatory Satellite," located just south of the Los Angeles Zoo at 4800 Western Heritage Way, hosts planetarium shows, a modest display of astronomy exhibits, and a telescope to view the moon and planets at night; public access is free. It's open from 1 to 10pm Tuesday through Friday and 10am to 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Call tel. 323/664-1181 for more information.