Hollywood Sign

Nine white letters, each 13.7 m tall, on Mount Lee. Erected in 1923 as a real estate advertisement, the sign became the world's most famous city emblem. View it from several points or hike to its back.

The Hollywood Sign stands on the south slope of Mount Lee, west of Griffith Park, at an elevation of 491 m. It was erected in 1923 as a real estate advertisement reading 'HOLLYWOODLAND.' In 1949 the last four letters were removed. In 1978 it was rebuilt as the current steel structure, funded by celebrities including Hugh Hefner, with each letter 13.7 m high. The sign itself cannot be approached, as it is fenced off and monitored by cameras. There are three ways to see it. First, from viewpoints: the Griffith Observatory terrace (the most classic, with the sign and the city in one frame), the three-level terrace at Ovation Hollywood, Lake Hollywood Park (whose lawn faces the sign and is good for picnics and dog walking), and the end of the street in Beachwood Canyon. Second, by hiking to the back of the sign: from Griffith Observatory, take the Mt. Hollywood Trail, or from Bronson Canyon, follow the Brush Canyon Trail. The round trip is about 10 km and takes 2.5–3 hours, and from directly above the sign you can look down on the back of the letters and the whole Los Angeles basin all the way to the Pacific. There's no shade along the way, so bring plenty of water. Third, by helicopter (about $150 for 15 minutes) or from a distance on a celebrity home tour minibus. Admission is free. Note: parking and walking are now prohibited on residential streets leading to the sign, such as Deronda Drive. Since 2023, the Beachwood Drive entrance has been closed to hikers, so start from Griffith or Bronson Canyon. In summer, the mountain area has rattlesnakes and wildfire risk, and there are no restrooms on the trails. Drones are prohibited within Griffith Park.

Hollywood Sign

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