The Hollywood Sign is a symbol of Los Angeles, and it has been that way for nearly 100 years. Many people have taken the time to hike up to see it up close, but few can say they have hiked behind it. This hike will take you through the Hollywood Hills, past the old Batcave from 60’s TV and up behind the Hollywood Sign. You can’t get any closer than 30 feet to the sign, but it is really amazing to see a part of history up close and to get views of Los Angeles with the sign in front of the city instead of behind it. You can also hike it from the Wisdom Tree trail as well.
The hike starts at Griffith Park on Canyon Drive south of Hollywood Boulevard near Dodger Stadium. Park along Canyon Drive near Griffith Park Observatory (GPO) and head east on Zoo Drive until you reach Griffith Park Ranger Station. Inside there are maps for all kinds of hikes in Griffith Park including this one! Leave GPO on Mount Hollywood Drive until you reach a gate on your right that says “Hike Start” with an arrow pointing up hill. Follow this trail up until you
see another gate with a sign saying “No Motor Vehicle Access beyond this point” with an arrow.
The sign originally read “Hollywoodland” but the last four letters were removed after the Second World War because they were often mistaken for Chinese characters when viewed at a distance. In 1978 Johnny Grant, President of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce at that time, commissioned a reconstruction using materials identical to those used for the original facade. The new sign was dedicated on November 11, 1978 with great fanfare by Mayor Tom Bradley
and Johnny Grant himself who took pride in his role as official greeter to all visitors arriving in Los Angeles.
Whether you are visiting our amazing town or have lived here for years, don’t miss out on one of the most unique experiences to our amazing city!
