Hollywood Sign Hike

Hollywood Sign Hike is one of the most spectacular hikes in greater Los Angeles area. This Hollywood Sign Hike can also be a wonderful idea for any international tourist to spend around 4 hours. The Hollywood Sign, put on the top of the Mt Lee, is famous all over the world. Probably it is as famous as the Hollywood itself.

hollywood sign
The Hollywood Sign which can seem tiny from distance is actually around 450 feet wide (Like, two 747 Jumbo-jets placed one after the other!) and around 44 feet tall! Each letter is like as tall as a 4 storey building!

Some caution: Let me make one thing clear- the Hollywood sign does not look that great or gorgeous from the behind. Also, it is not that easy (and not that difficult too) to get to the top of Mt Lee to have this view in person. You will need to climb around 600 feet and walk on a climbing trail/road for around 1.5 miles. Then add 1.5 miles to come back. Plus parking at the trailhead on the Beachwood street can also be challenging. I am not trying to scare anyone but wanted to warn everyone. Also, do not try this after 9 am on any summer day, or in hot weather, unless you are well prepared and have good amount of water.
If my caution made you feel, well, cautious and you decide not to go on this hike, here is a free view of the sign- from the behind. I already said,didn't I that it is not worth it? LOL

Hollywood sign hike

Now the tempting part. For those of you who are excited to hike on this Hollywood Sign Hike, you are not alone. You are in a very good company. Let me tell you that this is one of the best hikes available in Greater Los Angeles Area. Period.

If you are physically fit (I mean an individual in average health), you can do this hike. Most of us can do it. My 5 year old son hiked with me last time! He lost interest at one time but a candy did the trick and completed the hike on his own! Here are the reasons why I love this hike:

Planning Hollywood Sign Hiking:

IMPORTANT:

Please disregard the following instructions. This is no longer possible with the route described below since the Beachwood gate is permanently closed as of 4/18/17 due to a court order.  Per the final ruling, visitors can do this hike from Brush Canyon Trail (3200 Canyon Drive / Bronson Canyon) or to Griffith Observatory.  Canyon Drive has the shorter hike and also has sidewalks, trash cans, a parking lot, and facilities for visitors.  I intend to visit the hike again and will post new maps and photos soon. TILL THEN, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING INFO ONLY AS A REFERENCE.

Hiking Hollywood Sign Hike:

The hike route in a nut-shell:
hollywood sign trail map

  1. From 101 Freeway, get on Franklin Ave. Then turn North (Left) on N Breachwood Ave. Keep driving on N Beachwood Dr until the road ends and you see a dirt parking lot on your right as shown in second image below.
    For your GPS, try "Sunset Ranch Hollywood" or "3400 N Beachwood Dr, Hollywood, CA 90068". Remember, the dirt parking has no block number LOL so if you use the above address in your GPS, stop when the road ends and the dirt parking lot is on your right.
    Or if you are an advanced use of GPS, use 34.129413N, 118.314682W in your GPS.
    Be patient while driving on N Beachwood Dr. As long as you are on N Beachwood Dr, you will not miss the trailhead/parking lot. I am sure your spouse or friends will ask you muitiple time, "Are you sure we are not lost?". Or you kids will start their favorite "Are we there yet?". Just be patient and don't lose N Beachwood Dr. It is not that difficult though.


    This is how the Parking lot looks.


  2. This is how the trail starts. Do not go straight. Start climbling as shown in Right Arrows in the picture below:
    hollywood sign parking

    Hollywood Sign Hike#2

  3. Keep walking and you will see a tree on your left. After passing this tree, look out for the sharp U TURN like turn on your left. (VERY EASY TO MISS IT but don't miss it!)
    Photo#1: Arial view- as you you are walking:

    Hollywood Sign Hike#3

    Photo #2. Bird eye view from the opposite side so the turn is clearly visible:

    Hollywood Sign Hike#4

  4. Once you have taken the FIRST IMPORTANT TURN correctly, look at the image below. Follow the blue dotted trail until you reach the SECON IMPORTANT TURN. This is when you hit a paved road. Turn RIGHT On that road. (Mt Lee Dr.)

    Hollywood Sign Hike#5

    Hollywood Sign Hike#6


  5. Follow the Road, as shown below in Red. You will approach the top from the other side of the Hollywood Sign..
    If you want to finish the hike quickly (of course at the risk of taking steep -tough- path, follow the YELLOW path below.


    Hollywood Sign Hike#7

 

Enjoy the Hollywood sign from the back and great panoramic 360 degree views of Greater LA, Hollywood, Burbank, San Fernando Valley.

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