The Hollywood Sign Hike in Griffith Park offers amazing views as well as taking you up close to one of the most iconic signs in the world. Here’s a complete guide.
How To Get To Hollywood Sign Hike In Griffith Park
The Hollywood Sign is located on the southern side of Mount Lee in Griffith Park, Los Angeles.
Getting around Los Angeles couldn’t be easier. There are generally 4 options:
By Car:
Aside from downtown LA, the majority of tourist spots are a little spread out in the Los Angeles area.
So hiring a car and exploring is certainly the most convenient way to get around!
We recommend booking one in advance, and fortunately car rentals are relatively cheap in Los Angeles. Plus all major car rental companies have offices at the airports.
We always go through rentalcars.com to compare prices before locking something in prior to our trip.
There is public street parking available in most places around Los Angeles, just be sure to have a card ready to pay for the hourly parking meters.
At the end of Canyon Drive, in Griffith Park, you will find a free car park for the Bronson Caves. This is where you can start your Hollywood Sign hike.
By Public Transport:
The Los Angeles Metro is affordable, relatively easy to use, and services most of Los Angeles County and its top attractions.
The public transit system consists of Metro Buses, DASH Buses, and Metro Rail Trains.
To ride these buses, trains, and subways, we recommend purchasing a reusable TAP Card. These are available at TAP machines located within most bus or subway stations. Or you can simply download one and add it to your Apple wallet!
You CAN pay cash when you board, but you’ll need the exact fare as bus operators don’t carry change.
Otherwise Uber is a super easy and very popular way of getting from one place to another quickly in Los Angeles!
By Hop On Hop Off Bus:
Standard buses are available around Los Angeles, if you can figure out the bus routes.
However, there is also of course the famous Los Angeles Sightseeing Hop-on-Hop-off Bus.
The bus lets you explore Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica Pier and Beaches. With options of a 24, 48 or 72 hour pass.
This is always popular among tourists, and a is great way to see many famous landmarks around the City of Angels at ease.
By Tour:
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
Hollywood Sign Hike Entrance Fee
It’s free to do the Hollywood Sign hike.
Hollywood Sign Hike Opening Times
Griffith Park is open daily from 5.00am to 10.30pm
Best Time To Visit The Hollywood Sign + Tips
Stretching over 400 acres, Griffith Park is a large area. However, it has lots to offer and is a very popular area with tourists and locals alike.
On busy days you will be sharing the trail with not only hikers, but joggers, dog walkers and horse riders.
Therefore, early in the morning may be the best time to visit if you want to avoid crowds. (It opens at 5am!) Alternatively, weekdays or during the winter season may be quieter.
Take a picnic or some snacks, as there are some great spots to sit and enjoy some food whilst also enjoying the beautiful views.
Don’t forget the sunscreen and water as it can get quite hot on the exposed parts of the hike.
Look out for rattle snakes and do not approach or disturb if you happen to come across any.
Most importantly – don’t forget your camera – the vistas are unbelievable!
What To Pack
History Of The Hollywood Sign
Originally created in 1923 and saying ‘Hollywoodland’ the sign was erected as a temporary advert for a local housing development. However, due to its popularity it was left in place.
It stayed as ‘Hollywoodland’ until 1949 when, after complaints from the local community due to the sign deteriorating and becoming an eyesore, the sign was repaired.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce entered into a contract with the City of Los Angeles Parks Department to repair and rebuild the sign.
In this contract was a stipulation that ‘land’ be removed to spell ‘Hollywood’ to reflect the district rather than the Hollywoodland housing development.
Subsequently, in the late 1970s after a public campaign, the wooden sign was replaced with a more permanent, all steel, structure.
Nowadays getting up and behind it is one of the Best Hollywood Sign Viewpoints.
What To Expect At The Hollywood Sign Hike In Griffith Park
Located on the southern side of Mount Lee in Griffith Park, the iconic Hollywood Sign is one of the most recognised sights in the world and certainly one of the top things to do in Los Angeles.
With three different Hollywood Sign hiking trails to choose from, we chose probably the most popular one, the Brush Canyon Trail. This is a moderate 1-2 hour hike on a well maintained route.
As you begin your hike up the dirt track you will follow a steady but persistent incline as you make the 600ft ascent to the sign.
This is a busy trail with benches conveniently placed at viewpoints along the way to enable you to take a breath and enjoy the amazing views.
The Summit
A really great view of the Hollywood Sign on this trail is from the Tyrolian Tanks viewpoint, a wide flat area where you get a great face-on view of the shining white sign.
Hike another approximately 1/4 mile and a few hundred feet of elevation to the back of the Hollywood Sign and you will be rewarded with the most spectacular view.
You actually bend right around the back of the sign before finally coming out on top of it!
The space at the top isn’t huge so please be careful with your footing.
The sign itself is protecting by fencing so you cannot touch the letters but you can get pretty close!
Sprawling out below you, miles and miles of breathtaking views over Griffith Observatory and Los Angeles City with the iconic lettering of the Hollywood Sign framing the bottom of your view.
I would highly recommend the Hollywood Sign hike to get some once in a lifetime photos and memories that will last for ever.
Whilst in Griffith Park, don’t forget to check out some of the other awesome hikes such as Runyon Canyon Park and Tom LaBonge Panorama.
Where To Stay In Los Angeles
Luxury – The Beverly Hills Hotel – Dorchester Collection
Known as ‘The Pink Palace’, this luxury hotel on Sunset Boulevard features the full-service La Prairie Spa and a beautiful outdoor pool.
Downtown Beverly Hills is just 1 mile away.
The bright and elegant rooms of The Beverly Hills Hotel feature marble bathrooms and 2 TVs.
There is also a minibar, coffee maker and ironing facilities included.
The Polo Lounge at the hotel is a popular dining place for celebrities.
Mid-Budget – Clean Modern Room
Clean Modern Room features accommodation with a shared lounge, free WiFi and a shared kitchen.
The air-conditioned homestay also offers a flat-screen TV, a seating area, washing machine and a bathroom with a bath and a shower.
Beverly Hills is a great choice for travelers interested in food, shopping and restaurants.
Budget – Empire Inn
Empire Inn is located in Los Angeles, just 5 miles from the centre.
It provides air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and all rooms include a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV.
South Los Angeles is a great choice for travellers interested in tourist attractions, sunshineand beach walks.
For other places to stay in Los Angeles, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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