The sun will set in Los Angeles around 4:50 p.m. today, offering the chance to see the biggest and brightest moon in nearly seven decades. It’s called a supermoon, a name for when the moon is full and simultaneously making its closest pass to Earth. This coincidence happens three times this year; it happened October 16 and it will happen again December 14. But today’s supermoon is the “biggest and brightest,” because it’s the closest full moon to Earth since 1948.
NASA says that makes this moon “extra-super.”
The moon was the closest to Earth at 6:22 a.m. today, but NASA’s Noah Petro says, “The difference in distance from one night to the next will be very subtle.” He recommends looking up at the sky any time after sunset today to get a glimpse of the phenomenon.
Here are five places that will make the view more spectacular. The moon won’t look this big or bright for another 18 years, so soak it in.
Baldwin Hill Scenic Overlook
Ascend 282 concrete stairs into this tiny state park in Culver City and be rewarded with wonderful views of the entire Los Angeles Basin, from the Santa Monica Bay to Downtown LA.
Runyon Canyon
Commune with dog walkers and celebs on one of LA’s most famous hiking trails. The advantage here, once again, is that your shot of the moon will be framed by expansive views of the city.
Joshua Tree
If you want to spot the moon away from twinkling urban lights, make the twoish-hour road trip to Joshua Tree National Park to catch the phenomenon in a magical and remote setting.
The beach
Pick any one along LA’s coastline. We’ve spotted beautiful shots of the supermoon on Instagram from Huntington Beach to Malibu.
Griffith Observatory
The observatory is closed Mondays, but you can still access its lawns and viewing decks. We recommend hiking to avoid dealing with parking. You don’t have to trudge all the way up; there’s an excellent vista just below the observatory, which can be accessed via Griffith Park’s Fern Dell entrance.
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