How to get to The Hollywood Sign? What is this Hollywood?

How to get to The Hollywood Sign? The Hollywood Sign that sits on the top of Mount Lee is perhaps one of the most famous images of Los Angeles (if not of California) and you will certainly want to capture it with your camera. So you may need to know which areas of the city you need to go to to get a better view.

In this article, we are going to explore the best places to observe the Hollywood Sign so that you can bring home the perfect souvenir photos. Many of these places will also allow you to discover unusual corners of Los Angeles where you can admire the city and its surroundings in all its beauty.

Table of Contents

How to get to The Hollywood Sign?

This section is for those who are not satisfied just to see the sign from a distance but want to get as close as possible (who knows when you’ll be in Los Angeles again?). First of all, I want to make it clear that you cannot in any way touch the Hollywood Sign or get very close to it. In fact, the area is fenced and guarded by cameras and security personnel to avoid accidents and vandalism that have taken place over the years, even though these are rare occurrences.

If you want to get as close as possible the only solution is to climb to the top of Mount Lee and admire the view of Los Angeles from behind the Hollywood Sign. In other words, you can only reach that point where the radio antennas stand out.

Before seeing the routes to reach the top, there is some basic information that I must outline not only for the sake of your safety but also to help you understand that you will not get as close to the sign as you might expect. I advise you to read carefully so as not to encounter unpleasant surprises.

The Best Viewpoints to see the Hollywood Sign without hiking

Let’s start with this overview of the best spots in Los Angeles to take a picture of the Hollywood Sign. If you don’t plan to do a lot of walking, or the time you have available to visit the city is limited, this selection is for you.

The Griffith Observatory

We are talking about the incredible observatory that dominates the hills above Los Angeles. Given its location, the Hollywood Sign is still pretty far away (see the picture I took personally) but, since the observatory is one of the recommended things to see in Los Angeles, it can certainly be taken into consideration also because of all the interesting activities it offers to visitors.

Lovers of the great classics of Hollywood cinema will also have one more reason to visit the Griffith Observatory. You’ll be in the place made famous by Rebel Without a Cause, made in 1955. The scene from the movie that features James Dean is iconic. As a reminder of this, you’ll find a monument with the young actor’s face and it is possible to take a picture of him with the Hollywood sign in the background.

The parking lot of the observatory is also one of the starting points for those who want to embark on the Mt. Hollywood Hiking Trail, which we will talk about in detail later in the section about the trails to reach the summit of Mount Lee that allow you to approach the Hollywood Sign from behind.

Lake Hollywood Park

Lake Hollywood Park, in my opinion, is the best viewpoint to photograph the Hollywood Sign. It is a large park nestled between the hills and narrow, winding streets and is surrounded by some of the city’s most luxurious homes. As we’ll see in the next section, this is also an excellent place to get on two trails that will take you to the top of Mount Lee to admire the view of Los Angeles from behind the sign.

Mulholland Drive

Mulholland Drive is one of the scenic roads that run along the hills of Los Angeles. It has the added benefit of having been immortalized in countless Hollywood films. This is already enough to make it worth visiting, and if you are particularly fond of David Lynch’s work, you will surely have a special reason to make this excursion.

Returning to the subject of this article, go east on Mulholland Drive near the 101 Freeway, and you’ll arrive at a vista point called the Hollywood Bowl Overlook. From here you’ll be at an elevated point with a view of the city below as well as the Hollywood Sign.

Hollywood & Highland Center

The Hollywood & Highland Center is a large shopping mall located at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, right where a section of the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame is located. If you go to the terraces of the mall, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Lee and the Hollywood Sign.

The best spot is on the third level crossing bridge. Another incentive to go to this large shopping mall is that if you park your car here and then validate your parking ticket in a bar, restaurant, or shop, you will only pay $2 for parking while you shop for 2 hours. Compared to the rates of other parking lots in L.A., it’s a pretty good deal.

Hollywood Reservoir

The Hollywood Reservoir is an artificial lake and it is known to be one of the locals’ favorite places to run and exercise along a quiet and relaxing trail and observe interesting views. You’ll find the perfect spot to take a picture of the Hollywood sign at the Mulholland Dam. After taking some pictures, why not take a nice walk along the edge of the lake?

The Hollywood Reservoir has three separate entrances. If you decide to use your car (or to rent one), here are some tips on where to park depending on the entrance you decide to use. Obviously, you should always pay attention to any signs of no parking.

Lake Hollywood Drive: This is the recommended entrance if you want to use the North Gate.
Weidlake Drive: If you take this road, you will arrive at the Hollywood Reservoir entrance named after this road and once past the residential area, you will find a small parking lot to the left of the entrance. This is especially recommended if you don’t want to walk too far to get to Mulholland Dam.
If you want there is also another entrance that I will tell you about for the sake of providing accurate information, but I advise you not to use it because there are very few (if any) parking spaces near this entrance. We’re talking about the East Gate at the entrance of Lake Hollywood Estate that is distinguished by the nice barrier with the Hollywood Sign.

North Beachwood Drive

North Beachwood Drive is a 2-mile road and at the end of the road, you will find the entrance to the Sunset Ranch, which we will discuss in detail later. I recommend that you do not go all the way to the end. In fact, you will begin seeing some nice views of the sign at the intersection with Scenic Ave and then going towards the Hollywood Hills.

Above is information about How to get to The Hollywood Sign? What is this Hollywood? that we have compiled. Hopefully, through the above content, you have a more detailed understanding of The Hollywood Sign. Thank you for reading our post.