Nine white letters sitting on the hillside above Los Angeles.

From down in the city, the Hollywood Sign looks small, almost modest. Get closer — on foot, on a trail, rounding a bend in Griffith Park — and suddenly it's enormous.

Forty-five feet tall, 350 feet wide, perched on the slopes of Mount Lee at 1,710 feet above sea level. The sign was originally erected in 1923 as a real estate advertisement for a development called "Hollywoodland." The last four letters got dropped in 1949. By the 1970s it was falling apart from vandalism and neglect — and a fundraising campaign saved it, with celebrities like Alice Cooper chipping in to sponsor individual letters. Today it's Los Angeles' most recognizable landmark and one of the most photographed signs on Earth.

Getting There

The Hollywood Sign sits inside Griffith Park, the largest urban park in the United States. There's no direct public bus to the sign itself, but the DASH Observatory Bus is a smart and affordable option. Connect to it via the Vermont/Sunset Station on the Metro B Line, then ride to the Griffith Observatory — the bus runs every 20 minutes on weekdays from noon to 10pm and on weekends from 10am to 10pm. DASH fare is just $0.50 cash or $0.35 with a TAP card. From the Observatory, trails lead directly toward the sign.

If you're driving, Griffith Park has several parking lots near the main trailheads. Parking at the end of Canyon Drive for the Brush Canyon Trail is free — rare in Los Angeles and worth knowing. Traffic in the area can be heavy on weekends, so early morning visits are genuinely smarter.

Entrance Fee & Hours

Viewing the Hollywood Sign is completely free. All the public parks, viewpoints, and hiking trails that offer views of the sign charge no admission. Griffith Park trails are open from sunrise to sunset daily. The Griffith Observatory itself offers free admission and is open Tuesday through Sunday — a bonus worth taking advantage of while you're in the area.

Best Viewpoints

Lake Hollywood Park is the most popular photo spot — a grassy open field that frames the sign in a clean, front-facing shot with no obstructions. Free street parking nearby. Griffith Observatory gives a slightly more distant view, but the setting is spectacular, especially around sunset when the sign glows against the hillside. Walk along the railing on the right side of the parking lot for a clear sightline.

For something more dynamic, Bronson Canyon in Griffith Park is where they filmed the original 1960s Batman TV show — walk through the cave tunnel and the sign appears in the distance ahead of you. The Ovation Hollywood shopping complex on Hollywood Boulevard also has a dedicated terrace with a view, convenient if you're already on the Walk of Fame.

Hiking to the Hollywood Sign

The closest legal access to the sign is the viewpoint at the summit of Mount Lee, which puts you directly behind and above the letters. Several trails get you there. The Brush Canyon Trail starting from Canyon Drive is the most popular — moderate difficulty, around 6 miles round trip, free parking at the trailhead. The Cahuenga Peak Trail is more challenging at 3 miles out and back with 875 feet of elevation gain, but delivers a unique view from behind the sign itself.

All trails have zero shade, so bring at least one liter of water per person, wear sunscreen, and start early before the Southern California sun gets serious. There are no water fountains on any of these trails.

For a guided experience, Bikes and Hikes LA is consistently rated the top outdoor tour provider in Los Angeles. Their 90-minute Hollywood Sign Express Tour and the 2.5-hour Original Hollywood Sign Hike both include stops at the sign, Griffith Park Observatory, and Mount Hollywood's sweeping city views. Private tour options are available for groups and families.

Where to Stay Nearby

Hollywood has a good range of hotels close to Griffith Park and the sign's trailheads. Budget and mid-range options along Hollywood Boulevard run roughly $100–$200 per night. For something more memorable, the W Hollywood at Hollywood and Vine has a rooftop pool deck with views of the Hollywood Sign — rooms typically start around $250 per night. The Dream Hollywood is another solid pick with rooftop views and a central location near the Walk of Fame.