Best Hollywood Sign Photo Spots

BEST HOLLYWOOD SIGN PHOTO SPOTS

There are so many places to see one of the most iconic signs in the world, but in this post we’re breaking down the best Hollywood sign photo spots so you can get your most epic selfie!

When visiting LA it’s inevitable you’re going to see the iconic Hollywood sign as you’re either driving around or exploring the city. It’s visible from many, may places even when you don’t expect it. However, if you want to truly get an awesome photo and get some incredible skyline views of Los Angeles as well, these are our picks. 

Speaking of views, check out our guide to all the best viewpoints in Los Angeles, including guess who – the Hollywood Sign spots!

History of the Hollywood Sign

Before we get into the best photo spots, here’s a little history about this famous sign! After all, it’s only been around since 1923 and was once called the “Hollywoodland Sign!”

At 45ft tall and 350ft long, the sign overlooks all the drama that goes on in Tinseltown below from Mount Lee in Griffith Park. When it was originally created, it was actually just meant to be an ad for a real estate development company! However, the sign went up just as the Golden Age of Hollywood began, so it became too recognizable to destroy.

It later would go through a few decades of deterioration until a public campaign to restore was led by none other than Hugh Hefner in 1978.  Today it’s protected under the Hollywood Sign Trust. 

Best Hollywood Sign Photo Spots

And now for where to get your best Instagram shots of this iconic sign!

Los Angeles skyline

Hollywood Boulevard

Photo via There She Goes Again

Of all the best Hollywood Sign photo spots, this one is probably the easiest to access! If you go to Hollywood Boulevard, head over to the Hollywood & Highland Center between the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dobly Theatre. It’s a massive shopping center and if you head towards the back, you’ll be able to get a nice view of the Hollywood sign! 

Griffith Observatory

While Griffith Observatory is an awesome place to visit on its own, you do indeed get to view the Hollywood sign. It’s still not THAT close. This is a great stop if you want the most bang for your buck and have a short period of time.

From around the observatory, you can get a photo with the Hollywood sign off in the distance. Afterward, go inside and check out the planetarium, the Foucault pendulum, two different telescopes in the different domes, and a TESLA coil all for free!

Griffith Park

On a clear day, you can’t beat the view of downtown Los Angeles either.

When you look up the Hollywood sign on Google maps it will try to send you to Griffith Observatory. If this is not where you want to go to see the sign be sure to check out the options below.

Hollywood Sign Los Angeles

Continue hiking to get views this close!

You can also do a Hollywood sign hike from Griffith Observatory. Pass through the Brush Canyon Trail and the Hollyridge Trail to get to Mount Lee. This trek is a whopping 8.8 miles, so be prepared with plenty of water and snacks if you take this route!

Lake Hollywood Park

Hollywood Sign from Lake Park

This was our favorite of the Hollywood Sign photo spots, and it’s the trail we recommend the most. Park along Lake Hollywood Park on the street. You will have a few great photo opportunities from the park and along the road in front the sign.

Directions:

  • Continue up Mulholland Drive by foot to get to a few other photo spots and to get to the Hollywood Sign hiking trail for Mt. Lee.
  • Walk on Mulholland Drive until you get to Durand Drive.
  • Turn right on Durand Drive.
  • Take Durand until you get to Heather Drive. This is a really sharp turn and a curvy street!
  • Turn left on Heather Drive until you reach Ledgewood Drive.
  • Turn left on Ledgewood Drive until you reach Rockcliff Drive.
  • Turn right on Rockcliff Drive until you reach Deronda Drive.
  • Walk up Deronda until you reach Mulholland. This is a great Hollywood Sign photo spot.

Hollywood Sign Los Angeles

To continue to the Hollywood sign from this epic selfie spot, continue on Mt. Lee Drive. Here you’ll walk for 15 minutes before reaching the top of the mountain, directly behind the Hollywood Sign!

Tips:

  • Do not try to walk straight up to the Hollywood Sign from Deronda & Mulholland. This is trespassing and you will get turned away after hiking up a steep, slippery hill. We did this and got in trouble! Oops!
  • Please be respectful and keep the noise down since this is a residential area.

Hollyridge Trail

Hollywood sign from behind

NOTE: It’s not currently possible to start at Sunset Ranch since this article was published, you now have to start at Canyon Drive via the Brush Canyon Trail to Mullholland Trail. The parking can be found at 2927 Canyon Drive where you can walk to the trailhead and you’ll need close to 3 hours to do the entire hike out and back.

This is an Hollywood Sign hike and can be done in an hour and half both ways.

Park at Sunset Ranch Hollywood and head to the Hollyridge Trail, one of the best hikes in Griffith Park and the easiest way to see the Hollywood Sign. You will hike for about 15-20 minutes before running into the Mulholland Trail and the sign below.

At the sign, take a left up the dirt path until you reach the paved road up to Mt. Lee for one of the best Hollywood sign photo spots!

Holly Ridge Trail

Tip

It’s best to visit on a weekday as parking in the residential neighborhood is prohibited on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 6 am to 8 pm.

Brush Canyon Trail

This scenic route is fun if you’re in for a special treat along the way! You’ll pass through the Bronson Cave. It’s also known as the “bat cave” for the 1960s Batman television series with Adam West! You might also recognize it from a famous photoshoot with Jim Morrison of the Doors.

Hollywood Sign hike

Park on Canyon Drive and start the Brush Canyon Trail. You’ll hike about a mile until you reach Mulholland Trail where you will see a sign. At the sign, turn left up to the dirt trail which will take you to a paved road up Mt. Lee and to the Hollywood sign!

Where do you think are the best Hollywood Sign Photo Spots? Let us know!

Looking for other awesome spots in California to visit? Check out our posts on Palm Springs and San Luis Obispo for the perfect California getaways!

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