Hollywood Sign
Monument Iconic hillside sign symbolizing the American film industry
On Mount Lee, the Hollywood Sign marks Los Angeles’ film-industry landmark; hikers use Griffith Park trails and photographers favour viewpoints at Griffith Observatory and Lake Hollywood.
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The Hollywood Sign is an iconic hillside lettered sign on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, originally erected in 1923. It was first built as an advertising sign reading “Hollywoodland” and later shortened and restored to the present form.
The white letters stand 45 feet tall and stretch across the hill, making the sign visible from many parts of Los Angeles; common viewing spots include Griffith Observatory and Lake Hollywood Park. Pedestrian and road access near the sign is limited and the area around the letters is protected to prevent vandalism and trespass.
Constructed as a temporary real-estate advertisement in 1923, the sign fell into disrepair after decades of exposure and was repaired and shortened to “Hollywood” in 1949. A celebrity-backed fundraising and rebuild in 1978 replaced the original letters with more permanent steel structures and ongoing preservation is managed by a nonprofit organization.
The sign perches on Mount Lee within Griffith Park, in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California. It overlooks the Los Angeles basin and is several miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
- Viewpoints: Best clear viewpoints include Griffith Observatory, Lake Hollywood Park and the Mulholland Drive overlooks; direct access to the sign itself is restricted.
- Dimensions: Each letter is 45 feet (13.7 m) tall and the sign spans several hundred feet on the southern slope of Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills.
How to Get to Hollywood Sign #
The Hollywood Sign sits on Mount Lee in Griffith Park above Los Angeles. The most common approaches are by hiking trails: from Griffith Observatory (access via Vermont Canyon Drive) it’s a 1.5-2.5 mile (2.5-4 km) uphill hike depending on the route, or from the Beachwood Canyon/Brush Canyon trailheads you can reach viewpoints with shorter hikes. Driving from central Hollywood or downtown LA is typically 15-30 minutes depending on traffic; park at trailhead parking areas (e.g., Griffith Observatory or Brush Canyon) and follow the marked hiking paths to viewing points near the sign.
Tips for Visiting Hollywood Sign #
- Plan for an early‑morning visit and use public trailheads such as the Mount Hollywood Trail or Lake Hollywood Park for unobstructed views - these public vantage points are less crowded than popular roadside lookouts later in the day.
- Approach the sign from official public access points (Griffith Park trails, Lake Hollywood Park) and respect fencing and signage; attempting to get closer to the letters is treated as trespassing and enforcement is common.
- For different photo angles, combine viewpoints: Griffith Observatory gives a panoramic backdrop, while the Lake Hollywood/Lake Hollywood Reservoir area provides closer, framed shots that many tourists miss.
Best Time to Visit Hollywood Sign #
The Hollywood Sign is best visited in the warm, dry months (May-October) for clear views, but mornings and weekdays reduce crowds year‑round.
Weather & Climate near Hollywood Sign #
Hollywood Sign's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
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February
February is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with 98 mm of rain.
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March
March is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain.
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June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain.
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July
July is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 1 mm.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain.
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September
September is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain.
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October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).
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