Hiking To The Hollywood Sign

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Hiking to the Hollywood Sign is a very popular activity amongst both visitors and locals. It’s relatively easy to get to and is a great workout with amazing views of the city, mountains and ocean on a clear day! There used to be more ways to access the trail so I wanted to give an up-to-date answer on how to get to the Hollywood Sign hike and then a description of the trail, because there are some blog posts that list roads that are now closed.

In this article, we’re going to show you how to get to the Hollywood Sign (and to the back of it on Mount Lee) in 2020. And if you live near Los Angeles and have never done the Hollywood Sign hike, now is the time to do it without the usual crowds of tourists!

History:

The Hollywood Sign is of course, the iconic 45-ft lettering on Mount Lee that sits above Los Angeles and is the symbol of glamour, stardom and ‘being larger than life’. Originally, the sign was “Hollywoodland” that was meant for advertising real estate for a company in 1923. Later it became “Hollywood” to represent the city as a whole. As the film industry began to grow, the sign became just as famous and world renowned as the celebrities living in the city below it.

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Related Posts: Hikes Near L.A. With Ocean Views

Parking:

2712 Canyon Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

To get to the Hollywood Sign hike, drive to the end of Canyon Drive. That’s all you need to do! On my phone, I type in Bronson Canyon or Bronson Canyon Parking to get directions to here. This can fill up quickly on the weekends so it’s best to try arrive before 7am or in the evenings to get a spot. I’ve been lucky enough to go midday on a Tuesday recently and was able to park right near the gate to start the hike!

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This is where I recommend going for the Hollywood Sign viewpoint or the back of the Hollywood Sign (or both like we did). Try be mindful that people live around these streets, so make sure you obey the street signs and park somewhere legally. Also there are playgrounds here if you bring the kids.

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Getting To The Sign:

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Note: On the sign posts on the trail, Hollyridge Trail means the front viewpoint and Tyrolian Tank is for the back of the sign.

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The beginning of this hike is a gradual incline on a wide and sandy, gravel path. This basically continues until you reach the turnaround point. Near the viewpoints, you will walk along road for a bit also.

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Continue on the trail and when you get to the sign that directs you to Hollywood Sign (Hollyridge Trail) turn left and continue upwards on the path. The arrow seems to point down to the left where there is a downward sloping trail - do not go this way. It would take you to horse stables and does not loop back.

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Once you’ve gotten to the viewpoint, turnaround and walk back the way you came - do not continue up the road to complete the trail.

Hike Details:

5.1 Mile Out & Back
Moderate
Dogs allowed on leash
No shade
AllTrails - Hollyridge Trail to Hollywood Sign Viewpoint

Getting Behind The Sign:

So if you’ve gone to the front of the sign from the above directions, then go back along the path until you get to the sign post again and follow the arrow to Hollywood Sign (Tyrolian Tank). It takes you up a road and then onto a path on the other side of the mountain. This has a cool view of other mountains in the distance and you can also see Forest Lawn (Hollywood cemetery) below.

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I recommend going behind the Hollywood Sign first and doing this hike and then on the way back down, going to the front viewpoint which adds less than a mile to this hike - 0.6mi to the viewpoint and back to this trail.

Hike Details:

5.7 Mile Out & Back
Moderate
Dogs allowed on leash
No shade
AllTrails - Hollywood Sign via Canyon Drive

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Also when you get to the top, the sign is behind a tall fence and in order to see the letters and view better, you may want to climb up the little hill behind it - pictured below.

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Views To Lookout For:

Hollywood Reservoir
Snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains
City skylines (the view of this keeps getting better as you continue on the trail)
Griffith Observatory
Santa Monica Bay

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Check the weather before you go as you want clear conditions to see the amazing views at the top and it will be a lot more enjoyable without wind. I’ve gone recently in November and it was stunning, no fog, warm enough for a t-shirt. I’ve done this in hiking gear and another time just comfortable sandals and was fine, although I do recommend closed shoes.

*Not edited - this was how stormy it got when we made it to the top on an evening hike!*

More Information:

Remember there are animals in this area including snakes (which we’ve seen) and mountain lions.
You can bike or horse ride on this trail, and there are places to book trail rides in Griffith Park.
There is usually a shuttle that can take you up closer to the viewpoint, but it is currently closed due to Covid-19.