Everyone who visits Los Angeles is at least a little bit intrigued by The Hollywood Sign. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in Los Angeles and dare I say, the world. The cool part is that it’s visible from multiple locations across Los Angeles, so while you’re visiting the city, you’ll have an opportunity to snap a few iconic photos of the sign, if you want to.
Whether you’re driving or want to do some hiking, there are some really great Hollywood Sign photo spots. We’ll give you our favorites below, so you can plan ahead. Remember that LA traffic is notoriously bad and hiking spots are likely to be super packed on weekends. If you can embark on this journey during the week, you’ll be slightly happier with the outcome.
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This magnificent sign, once known as “Hollywoodland,” has been an integral part of Tinseltown since its creation in 1923. From its humble beginnings as a marketing tactic for a real estate development company to its eventual recognition as a symbol of the Golden Age of Hollywood, the 45-foot tall and 350-foot long sign has undergone numerous transformations.
Over the years, it faced decay and neglect until a restoration campaign led by Hugh Hefner in 1978 provided salvation. Today, the Hollywood Sign is preserved under the Hollywood Sign Trust and continues to be maintained as an icon of LA.
Do keep in mind that you can’t just walk right up to the sign. It’s protected around all sides. The closest you can get is right behind the sign at Mount Lee (see below) or just to the side of it while hiking.
Best Locations for Hollywood Sign Photos
The Last House on Mulholland
Thanks to a vigilant reader, we added this location after he noticed we’d left off a top spot to grab a photo of the sign. If you do the whole hike, there are actually 3 viewing locations in one.
Located at the end of Mulholland Hwy, this vacant residential lot offers the closest access to the Hollywood sign, making it a pretty popular spot. It’s a unique opportunity to capture the postcard-perfect photo with the iconic sign right there in the background.
It is recommended to park in the Lake Hollywood Estates Neighborhood at the Innsdale Trailhead, which starts at 6301 Innsdale Dr. and ends next to the driveway at 6161 Mulholland Hwy. Next up is the Last House lot, and if you continue walking east along Mulholland Hwy, the pavement ends and a fire road continues to the Deronda Platform.
Hollywood Boulevard & Highland Center
At Hollywood Boulevard, go to the Hollywood & Highland Center, located between the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre. As you head towards the back of the shopping center, you will find a nice view of the Hollywood Sign.
Griffith Observatory Views
The Griffith Observatory not only offers amazing exhibits and views of downtown Los Angeles, but it’s also a popular spot to capture the Hollywood Sign in the distance. Inside the observatory, you can explore the planetarium, Foucault pendulum, telescopes, and a Tesla coil for free.
Hollyridge Trail Hike
Embark on a Hollywood Sign hike starting from the Griffith Observatory. The trailhead for the Hollyridge Trail is located near the Sunset Ranch Hollywood Stables on Canyon Drive at the Brush Canyon Trailhead. You can park at the designated parking areas nearby.
The Hollyridge Trail is well-marked and relatively easy to do, though there isn’t much shade. It takes you close to Mount Lee, with a impressive views of the Hollywood sign along the way. Once you reach the end of the Hollyridge Trail, you’ll be treated to an up-close view of the Hollywood Sign.
Starting from the trailhead, you’ll proceed northeast along the Brush Canyon Trail, ascending into the mountains. Afterward, you’ll veer left onto the Mulholland Trail, continuing westward until you reach the viewpoint.
Bronson Caves
If you want the fastest hike to the sign and a pretty darn good view of it too, then Bronson Caves is where you should go. The caves themselves are closed, but the trail is still open. Start at the Brush Canyon Trailhead on Canyon Drive.
The walk to Bronson Caves to see the view is very short and just takes a few minutes.
Lake Hollywood Park
Lake Hollywood Park is a tranquil spot to photograph the Hollywood Sign. I like this option because you can relax at the park and see the view at the same time. There’s lots of open space and grass for a picnic or game of Frisbee. There isn’t a lot of parking at the park
Hollywood Reservoir
The Hollywood Reservoir and specifically the Mulholland Dam is another close by place to grab a photo. From the dam you have a great view of the sign with the water in the foreground. There’s a road that leads up to a small parking lot along a very narrow road.
There’s also some street parking, but you’ll want to arrive early on the weekends to get one. You can see the sign from the Hollywood Reservoir Trailhead, but if you want to do the 3-mile (fairly easy) hike, there are good photos at the midway point as well.
Brush Canyon Trail Adventure
Another hiking option to see the Hollywood Sign up close is the Brush Canyon Trail, which also begins at Griffith Observatory. The trek will take you through scenic canyons and lead you to stunning vantage points of the iconic sign and the surrounding hills.
Barnsdall Art Park
Aline Barnsdall donated this stunning hilltop site to the people of Los Angeles in 1927 as a public destination for the appreciation of art and architecture. It’s an 11.5-acre park, located at 4800 Hollywood Boulevard with lots of things to do and see. You can see the Hollywood Sign from a slightly elevated position up on Olive Hill. While it’s not the closest or most direct view of the sign, it’s certainly a picturesque one.
Jerome C. Daniel Overlook Above the Hollywood Bowl
If you’ve ever been to the Hollywood Bowl, you know that from higher up seats you can see a portion of the Hollywood sign directly in front of you. If you climb to the very top of the bleachers, you can see more of it. However, you don’t have to go in the Hollywood Bowl to see that same angle of the sign. You can drive to Jerome C. Daniel Overlook on Mulholland Drive, above the Hollywood Bowl.
This vantage point provides breathtaking panoramic views of the iconic Hollywood Bowl amphitheater, the Hollywood sign in the distance and the surrounding cityscape with sweeping gorgeous green hills. There’s also a sign with information about the Hollywood Sign. There are only a few parking space, but we’ve never had trouble getting one. It’s best to drive up there from the south, as the north route is a bit more of a hassle.
Mount Lee
While there isn’t a way to walk directly behind the letters of the sign, you can get a view from behind the sign up on Mount Lee. The hike to the peak of Mount Lee via Mount Lee Drive is the shortest and most direct route at about 3 miles roundtrip, but that also means it’s steep and somewhat difficult in places. If you’re up for the challenge, the view from the top is incredible. Start out at 6301 Innsdale Dr. You can park along the residential streets near the trailhead.
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Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.