What is 50 feet tall, white, written in all big letters, and stretches 450 feet across Mount Lee, where many people in Los Angeles can see it? It’s the Hollywood Sign! This famous sign was first built in 1923, back then known as HOLLYWOODLAND. Surprisingly, it started as a temporary ad for homes in the hills above the Hollywood area. Over the last ten years, local folks, the community, and visitors joined forces to fix and restore it.
In 1944, the letter H got wrecked. They couldn’t figure out if vandals or strong winds were to blame. In 1949, some folks wanted to tear it down, calling it an “eyesore and a problem” for the neighborhood. But they agreed to change the name from HOLLYWOODLAND to HOLLYWOOD, and that change happened in 1949.
By 1978, the first O was broken, looking like a small ‘u’, and the third O had completely fallen, making the sign read “HuLLYWO D” for a short time. A rockstar named Alice Cooper, founder of the Alice Cooper band, decided to replace the old sign with a more sturdy one. He gathered $250,000 in donations, which is like $1.2 million today. Donors included Terrence Donnelly, Alice Cooper (in memory of comedian Groucho Marx), Les Kelley, Gene Autry, Hugh Hefner, Andy Williams, Giovanni Mazza, Warner Bros. Records, and Dennis Lidtke (in honor of Matthew Williams).
In 2000, the Los Angeles Police Department added a security system with motion detectors and cameras to keep the sign safe. If someone goes where they shouldn’t, an alarm goes off and alerts the police.
Throughout its history, the Hollywood Sign has remained an important part of our culture and a favorite target for pranks and graffiti.
Best Ways to See the Hollywood Sign Without Hiking
To get a great view of the sign without hiking, you can take a drive along Mulholland Highway as it winds through the Hollywood Hills. You can also see it from the Griffith Observatory (where you can park for free) and Lake Hollywood Park. If you’re in the city, look up from the Hollywood and Highland Center instead of looking down at the stars on the Walk of Fame. You can also catch a free ride on the LADOT Transit’s DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus service, which runs every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., seven days a week.
For a unique view of the sign, you can go on a guided horseback ride from Sunset Ranch, located in Griffith Park. They offer one- or two-hour rides, evening tours with dinner, and even overnight stays. You’ll get fantastic pictures of the famous sign and the beautiful L.A. scenery.
Another exclusive way to see the Hollywood Sign is by booking a private helicopter tour of the city’s landmarks. Flying by the famous sign in the Hollywood Hills is a must!
Best Hikes to See the Hollywood Sign
To get the very best views and selfies with the Hollywood Sign, you’ll need to hike closer to it. Griffith Park has three trails that are open all year from sunrise to sunset and give you the perfect view. The Mt. Hollywood Trail and the Brush Canyon Trail via Canyon Drive are both considered moderately challenging hikes, and they are about the same length (5.3 and 6 miles, respectively). The Mt. Hollywood Trail is a loop, and the Brush Trail is an out-and-back route. For the more adventurous hikers, the 3-mile out-and-back Cahuenga Peak Trail takes you to the highest point in the park. You can use the nearby radio towers to track your progress. It’s a tough hike with a height difference of 875 feet, but the reward of seeing the sign up close is worth it.
Things to Do Near the Hollywood Sign
In Griffith Park, you’ll also find two amazing attractions: the Griffith Park Observatory, which offers planetarium shows all year long, and The Greek Theatre, a top outdoor music venue. To the northwest of the park, you’ll discover the Warner Brothers Studio, where you can take a fun tour if you’re a big fan of the movies. If you head south, you’ll reach the neighborhoods of Los Feliz and Silver Lake, full of cool shops, lively restaurants, and thriving cultural scenes.
