Hollywood Sign
Modern Monument · Los Angeles, California
The Hollywood Sign is a row of tall white letters on the south face of Mount Lee, in the Santa Monica Mountains inside Griffith Park, above the Hollywood district of Los Angeles. It was first built in 1923 as a real estate advertisement reading Hollywoodland, and the last four letters were later removed, leaving the name of the film industry. The most important fact for visitors is that you cannot walk up to the letters: access to the sign itself is restricted, the area is monitored and trespassing is enforced. What you can do is see it from public viewpoints, which are free. The Griffith Observatory and its trails, Lake Hollywood Park, the Hollywood and Highland area and hikes in Griffith Park all give different angles. It suits anyone passing through Los Angeles who wants one photograph. It is a short stop, 20 to 40 minutes at a viewpoint, longer for a hike. Haze, parking limits and neighbourhood rules are the main frustrations, so confirm trail and road status before you go.
Mount Lee Drive, Los Angeles, California, 90068, United States
The sign can be seen from public viewpoints at any hour of daylight, and it is visible from many parts of the city on a clear day. The sign itself is not open to visit: the ground around the letters is restricted and not a public attraction. Griffith Park trails and roads generally open from early morning to evening, but hours differ by trail and by season, and parts of the park close on red-flag fire-weather days or after storms, so confirm with the city park authority before you plan a hike. Griffith Observatory has its own opening times and is usually closed one weekday, so check them if you are going for the view. Lake Hollywood Park keeps limited park hours. The sign is not lit at night in a way that makes it a dependable night view, so plan for daylight.