The Sunshine Club sees the sights of Los Angeles at the Griffith Observatory

By Linda Johnson

LW contributor

Fifty-six Leisure World residents boarded the bus on Sept. 23 for the Sunshine Club’s sponsored trip to the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. The Griffith was built in 1935, and it was the first time visiting the historic site for some of the residents.

The bus arrived at the destination around 2:30 p.m., and some members of the group were able to secure tickets for the 2:45 showing of “Signs of Life” in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium while others chose to enjoy “The Once and Future Griffith Observatory,” narrated by Leonard Nimoy. The former film focuses on the observatory’s history and recent renovation.

The group was lucky to have John Palmer and his wife, Troy, on the tour. John had worked at the observatory for many years but has taken a break recently. He was able to point out different exhibits of interest and demonstrated “the magic bag” trick. The group enjoyed his insight.

After the films, the group had free time to look at all of the exhibits, see other shows, look at the giant telescope on the top floor of the observatory, visit the gift shop, or go to the cafe and enjoy a cup of coffee or snack while enjoying a spectacular view of Los Angeles.

Outside the observatory, people could enjoy panoramic views of the city of Los Angeles, the Hollywood sign and the Hollywood Hills.

As the sun began to set, some were in line to look through the big telescope, while others gathered on the front lawn to look through some smaller telescopes that were set up by the volunteers at the Griffith.

Watching the sunset over the Hollywood Hills and seeing the city of Los Angeles turning from daylight to the evening was an incredible sight.

As the bus traveled home, guests were able to enjoy the remains of their goodie bag filled with snacks and sandwiches provided by the Sunshine Club. A tired, but happy, group arrived back home around 9:30 p.m.

Many people helped make this trip a success. Anna Derby would like to thank the volunteers who assisted in making this trip possible, including the Comias, Evangelistas, Sanchezs, and Lewis who helped with the goody bags.

Derby would also like to thank the Sunshine Club members who assembled the goodie bags for 56 passengers the week prior.

Andy Chin, the bus driver for Hebaragi Bus Company and Mutual 2 resident, deserves the biggest thanks for getting the 56 residents home safely.

This was the second trip this year sponsored by the Sunshine Club. The first was to the Getty Museum in Malibu, which sold out quickly. The club looks forward to more trips in 2023.

Members of the Sunshine Club visited the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles for an afternoon.

Michael Oh