Hollywood Sign

HOLLYWOOD SIGN HIKE

DISTANCE: 4.45
ELEVATION: 1708'
ELEVATION GAIN: 708'
TYPE: Out-and-Back
   HIKING TIME: 2.5 Hours
RATING:  Moderate
FEATURES: Vistas of Downtown LA, San Gabriel Mtns.,
   Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, bag Mt. Lee and
   Cahuenga Peak

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Visitors to the Historic Hollywod Sign

It's iconic, inspirational and perhaps the most famous landmark in all of Metro Los Angeles: The Hollywood Sign. Erected in 1923 high atop Mt. Lee in Griffith Park, the Hollywood sign can be seen from just about anywhere in the Los Angeles basin. The sign originally read Hollywoodland and was a promotional gimmick for a local real estate development company. While there are numerous vantage points to photograph this icon of Tinsel Town, most visitors want to get up close and personal with a bit of Hollywood history. This hike will take you there. Or at least as close as you can legally get.

Due to frequent pranks and vandalism, a security fence and remote cameras have made it impossible to actually stand at the sign, but you can stand just above the 45' tall letters on top of Mt. Lee for sweeping views of the Los Angeles Basin including downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and, on clear days, the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. This is a sunshine hike, meaning there is no shade on the trail or available water, so bring your own. There are several great spots for picture taking and a short trail from the sign will bring you to the top of Cahuenga Peak, the highest point in Griffith Park with sweeping views of the Los Angeles Basin and the San Fernando Valley.

Directions to Trailhead

Exit the 101 N at Beachwood Drive and head north on N. Beachwood Dr. for 1.75 miles to Sunset Ranch Stables. Park in the dirt lot on your right.

From the 101 S, exit at Gower and turn left. Drive one block to the light and turn right onto Franklin. Drive one block and turn left onto N. Beachwood Dr. Proceed for 1.75 miles to Sunset Ranch Stables. Park in the dirt lot on your right.

There is no water at the trailhead or on the trail; bring plenty with you. This is a sunshine trail; sunscreen is mandatory.

Hollywood Sign Trail Guide
Click for printable pdf guide and map.

Parking

Park in the dirt parking areas just before Sunset Ranch stables. There
are no rest rooms or water available at the trailhead.

Trailhead

Trail begins in the dirt parking area on N Beachwood Dr. Head south on
the trail, climbing about 70 yards toward a pass-through notch cut in the
rock to access the Hollyridge Trail.

Trail Junction 1

As you pass-through the notch cut in the rock, turn left to access the
Hollyridge Trail. Be sure to turn around and look behind you for your first
glimpse of the sign.

Sunset Ranch Junction

About .2 mile into your hike you will pass a junctoin for Sunset Ranch
Stables. Watch for equestrians entering the trail at this point.

Scenic View 1

The trail rises to a small plateau rising up on your left. As you come
   around the curve, the Hollywood Sign will come into view at this first of
   two great viewing areas. Continue for about .2 mile on the trail to reach
   the next trail junction.

Trail Junction 2

The Hollyridge Trail intersects with the Mullholland Highway (dirt fire
   road). Make the hairpin turn to your left onto the Mullholland Highway and
   continue uphill about 60 yards to the junction with the Alternate Use Path
   Trail.

Alternate Use Path Lower Junction

About 60 yards after turning onto the Mullholland Highway, you will find
   a single-track use path climbing the ridge on your right. This .25 mile path
   is a short cut to the top of Mt. Lee, but it is rather steep. Utilizing the use
   path at this point will also by-pass the second viewing area. You may
   want to consider using this path as a short cut on your return and continue
   .25 mile on the Mullholland Highway for now.

Trail Junction 3

The Mullholland Highway intersects with the paved Mt. Lee Drive at this
   point. Turning right will take you to the Hollywood Sign and the summit of
   Mt. Lee in .9 mile. Turning left will take you to the second viewing area in
   .5 mile for some great picture taking opportunities.

Trail Junction 4

As you reach the gate at the bottom of Mt. Lee Drive, turn right onto a
gated dirt road and climb the short hill to the Viewing Area.

Scenic View 2

Probably the best of the 2 viewing areas, this access point will give you
   your closest view of the sign from the front and a great place to snap
   some pictures. When you've taken all your pictures, retrace your steps
   along Mt. Lee Drive to Trail Junction 3 at Mullholland Highway. Continue
   past the intersection moving uphill along Mt. Lee Drive to the summit. The
   distance to the summit from this point is 1.4 miles.

Alternate Use Path Upper Junction

The Alternate Use Path intersects with Mt. Lee Drive on the San Fernando
   Valley side of the ridge. Consider using the Use Path as an alternate on
   your return trip for a different view and a shortcut back to the parking
   area. The Use Path is .25 mile in distance and descends rather steeply at
   points.

Cahuenga Peak Trail Junction

The tallest peak in Griffith Park is only a short distance away should you
want to bag the peak. Pick up the trail just beyond the bronze marker.
Otherwise, continue around the bend to the Hollywood Sign.

The Hollywood Sign

Catch your first view of the sign from the backside as the "H" comes into
view.

Trail Junction 5

Leave the paved road at the gated facility and make a hairpin turn to the
left on the short single-track trail to the summit of Mt. Lee.

Summit of Mt. Lee, 1708'

Your best view from the backside of the sign comes from the summit of
Mt. Lee above the security fence protecting the sign. You also have great
views of Downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Reservoir and the
Pacific Ocean.