The Most Famous Sign in the World
The Hollywood Sign — nine white letters, each 13.7 metres tall, stretched across the southern face of Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills — is the defining symbol of the entertainment industry and one of the most recognised landmarks on earth. The sign was originally erected in 1923 as “HOLLYWOODLAND” to advertise a housing development, was shortened to “HOLLYWOOD” in 1949, and has been a protected historical monument since 1973. It sits at an elevation of approximately 480 metres in Griffith Park, visible from across the Los Angeles basin but not directly accessible — there is no public road to the sign itself, and the immediate area is fenced and monitored by security cameras.
A Hollywood Sign tour solves the access question. The sign is visible from dozens of vantage points across Los Angeles, but the best views — close-up, dramatic, unobstructed, and photograph-ready — require knowing which viewpoints to reach and how to get there. Guided tours take you to the prime locations: the hiking trails that climb to viewpoints directly above or behind the sign, the Griffith Observatory terrace, the Lake Hollywood Park overlook, and the elevated residential streets of the Hollywood Hills where the sign fills the frame at close range.
How to See the Hollywood Sign
Hiking to the sign (covered separately) provides the closest access — trails from Griffith Park, Beachwood Canyon, and the Bronson Canyon trailhead climb to viewpoints on the ridge above or behind the sign. The most popular trail (via the Brush Canyon/Hollyridge Trail) reaches a viewpoint directly behind the sign at the summit of Mount Lee.
Griffith Observatory viewpoint — the Observatory terrace provides a classic framing of the sign across the canyon, with the Hollywood Hills as backdrop. This is the most accessible viewpoint (no hiking required) and produces the most recognisable photograph.
Open-air bus and vehicle tours — guided bus, convertible, or luxury car tours include Hollywood Sign viewpoint stops as part of a broader Los Angeles sightseeing circuit. The guide drives to the best accessible viewpoints (Lake Hollywood Park, Mulholland Drive overlooks, elevated residential streets) and photographs you with the sign behind you.
Helicopter tours provide the aerial perspective — flying directly past the sign at close range, with the entire Los Angeles basin visible below. The most dramatic and most expensive format.
Practical Tips
The sign faces south. It is best photographed in the morning and early afternoon when the sun illuminates the letters. By late afternoon, the sign is backlit (the sun is behind it from the west), which makes photography more difficult.
You cannot walk up to the sign. The sign is fenced, gated, and monitored. The closest public access is the viewpoints on the ridge trails above and behind the sign — not the sign itself.
Smog and haze affect visibility. Los Angeles air quality varies significantly by day and season. Clear winter days (December–February, particularly after rain) and windy days offer the best visibility. Summer mornings before the haze builds (before 10:00 AM) are the next best option.
The sign is illuminated at night but not designed for night viewing. Occasional special events illuminate the sign, but standard nighttime viewing is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk up to the Hollywood Sign?
No. The sign is fenced and gated with 24-hour security monitoring. You can hike to viewpoints on the ridge above and behind the sign (the closest public access), but you cannot touch or stand next to the letters. The viewpoints are approximately 50–200 metres from the sign.
Where is the best view of the Hollywood Sign?
Griffith Observatory for the classic photograph (no hiking required). The Mount Lee summit trail for the closest viewpoint (hiking required, approximately 2–3 hours return). Lake Hollywood Park for a relaxed, accessible view. Mulholland Drive for the elevated driving perspective.
How big is the Hollywood Sign?
Each letter is approximately 13.7 metres (45 feet) tall and between 9 and 12 metres wide. The entire sign spans approximately 110 metres (350 feet) across the hillside.
When was the Hollywood Sign built?
The sign was erected in 1923 as “HOLLYWOODLAND” to advertise a real estate development. The “LAND” portion was removed in 1949. The current letters are steel replacements installed in 1978 after the original sheet metal letters deteriorated.
Is the Hollywood Sign in Griffith Park?
Yes. The sign sits on the southern face of Mount Lee within Griffith Park — one of the largest urban parks in the United States (approximately 1,700 hectares).