The Griffith Observatory atop Griffith Park is one of the best outlooks in Los Angeles—on days when the natural haze of the area hasn’t settled in. This shot was taken in 1937, just two years after the Observatory opened. It’s a fairly busy site these days with busloads of school kids, tourists, and day-hikers, but back then, it would have been easy to find a park and go wandering around the building and surrounding walking trails.

The Observatory in 2017:

For those of you unfamiliar with where the Observatory, here is a satellite photo showing it perched on the folds and canyons of Griffith Park. To the right, was can see the famous outdoor Greek Theater.