There are few icons in America as recognizable at the Hollywood Sign. Many people flock to see and take a picture with the Hollywood landmark, which turns 100 years old in 2023, and there are quite a number of ways to do so.
History of the Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign was originally built as a temporary advertisement for a new housing development in the Santa Monica hills. It originally read Hollywoodland when it was first erected in 1923.
The original wood and sheet metal sign was only supposed to last for one-and-a-half years. However, due to its popularity, it was kept on way past its due date.
In 1978, the sign was restored and upgraded to a steel construction. This is the sign that stands till today and it now managed by the Hollywood Sign Trust.
The non-profit trust is responsible for maintaining the 45-foot-tall letters.
No one is allowed to get all the way up to the Hollywood Sign and the areas around it are residential neighborhoods which eschew noisy visitors and photo-takers.
Nonetheless, there are still great ways to take in the sight of the Hollywood Sign. Here are some of the best ways to experience and view the unmistakable Hollywood Sign.
Best Ways to View the Hollywood Sign
Outdoor Trails and Parks
Griffith Park is one of the best places to see the Hollywood Sign. The park has multiple hiking trails on Mt. Hollywood. Many of these trails can be accessed from the iconic Griffith Observatory. One of the most popular trails at Griffith Park, if you don’t mind expending some energy, is the Cahuenga Peak Trail. This popular trail will reward you with a unique view from behind the Hollywood Sign and Downtown Los Angeles.
Bronson Canyon was not only the home of the Batcave from the Batman ‘60s TV show but also has a selection of hikes and vantage points to view the Hollywood Sign.
If going for a hike up the hills is not quite your thing, try heading to Lake Hollywood Park . The reservoir at Lake Hollywood Park has a direct view of the Hollywood Sign and is accessible by car and a short walk.
One of the most popular spots in Los Angeles where you can see the Hollywood Sign is Runyon Canyon. Take a walk to the top of the park for some distant but dramatic views of the sign.
Rooftop Bars and Restaurants with Views of the Hollywood Sign
You will find Lemon Grove on the top floor of the Aster Club and Hotel. In addition to dining on the cuisine from Top Chef alum Marcel Vigneron, you can also savor the gorgeous views of the Hollywood Sign.
A laid-back lounge inspired by Pioneertown, Desert 5 Spot offers colorful drinks and light bites and a great vantage point to view The Hollywood Sign.
Mama Shelter offers unobstructed view of the iconic Hollywood Sign, as well as drinks and snacks to complement the striking vista.
The French Riviera-inspired Bar Lis offers a lovely spot to view the sign. It also has a delicious food and drink menu, and live music.
Another restaurant with great views of the Hollywood Sign is Grandmaster Records. You can also enjoy a breathtaking view of the city skyline and Capitol Records, alongwith cocktails and bites.
The Highlight Room has an expansive outdoor rooftop lounge, pool and grill, perfect to get some aerial views of the famed Hollywood Sign and the Los Angeles skyline.
Hotels with Views of the Hollywood Sign
The boutique Kimpton Everly Hotel is right in the heart of Hollywood glitz and glamour. It has views of the Hollywood Sign and the Hollywood hills from its rooftop and select guest rooms.
Over at the Tommie Hollywood, guest can enjoy panoramic city and Hollywood Sign views from the colorful rooftop pool and from the Hollywood Hills view guestrooms.
Thompson Hollywood’s chic rooftop pool, dining experiences and event spaces offer great views of the Hollywood Sign.
Situated at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, Loews Hollywood offers Hollywood Sign views from a collection of guest rooms and meeting spaces.
Dream Hollywood is the west coast flagship of Dream Hotels. The hotel has a mid-century modern aesthetic guest rooms and public spaces with impressive views of the Hollywood sign.
W Hollywood offers expansive vistas of the Hollywood Sign from their rooftop pool and lounge, guest rooms and suites, and event venues.
Guided Tours
Bikes and Hikes is the top outdoor tour company in LA, offering two different tours to The Hollywood Sign that expound on the area’s unique history. The Original Hollywood Sign Tour is an easy walk, through Griffith Park and below the Sign in 90 minutes, while the Original Hollywood Sign Hike takes a slightly steeper trail up behind the Hollywood Sign to get up close with the icon over two and a half hours.
For something that requires less legwork on your part, go on a guided horseback riding tour with Sunset Ranch Hollywood to get spectacular views of the Hollywood Sign from the saddle.
Starline Tours shuttle guests through the back roads of Hollywood Hills during their one-hour Hollywood Sign tour. In addition to the Sign, you will also be able to get views of Lake Hollywood, the vista of Downtown Los Angeles and the tinsel town glamour of Hollywood Boulevard.
View of the Hollywood Sign from the Air via Helicopter
Flying out of Van Nuys Airport, Group 3 Aviation offers a 35-minute Hooray for Hollywood Tour, soaring above the iconic Hollywood Sign and the Hollywood hills.
Based at Hollywood Burbank Airport, Orbic Air boasts the closest views of the Hollywood Sign with its ten-minute tour, which includes bird’s eye views of Universal Studios Hollywood and the Griffith Observatory.
Star Helicopters’ one-hour Star VIP Tour takes off from Hawthorne Municipal Airport and includes a fly-by of the Hollywood Sign along with sweeping views from the South Bay to the Valley.
From the Queen Mary Heliport in Long Beach, IEX Helicopters takes passengers up-close for an incredible view of the Hollywood Sign, and also offers views of the skyscrapers of Downtown L.A.
Other Spots to View the Hollywood Sign
The Griffith Observatory, the beloved cultural landmark and icon of the silver screen, offers a view of the Hollywood Sign just a short distance from the parking lot.
At the top of The Hollywood Bowl amphitheater, get a striking views of the stage and the Sign perched in the hills beyond.
Formerly known as Hollywood & Highland, Ovation Hollywood is a shopping and entertainment complex that houses the Dolby Theatre (home of the Oscars since 2002) and the TCL Chinese Theatre. Head up to the 3rd floor viewing deck, or one of the lookout spots at the development, for a view of the Hollywood Sign.
Viewing the Hollywood Sign: A Memory That You’ll Remember
No matter where you catch sight of the Hollywood Sign, it will be a view to remember. There are so many different spot to catch a view of the 100-year-old Hollywood icon so don’t miss it!
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