About
The Hollywood Sign is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Los Angeles. Its large white letters spell out the word Hollywood across the slopes of Mount Lee, in the Santa Monica Mountains above the city. The sign has been a symbol of the entertainment industry since 1923, and it is often pictured as a shorthand for film and television as a whole.
What to expect
The sign itself is seen from a distance, and much of the pleasure of a visit lies in finding good viewpoints. It stands on Mount Lee, and the surrounding hillside is part of the Santa Monica Mountains, so the setting is as much about the landscape as the lettering. Visitors usually come to look up at the letters, photograph them against the sky, and take in the view back over the city.
Getting there
- The sign is located on Mount Lee Drive, Los Angeles, California 90068.
- It sits in the hills, so plan for a walk or a drive uphill rather than a level stroll.
- The sign is also known as the Hollywood Land Sign or the Hollywood Hills Sign, so you may see either name on maps and signposts.
Around the sign
Because the sign is in the Hollywood Hills, it makes a natural part of a wider day in the area. The neighbourhood of Hollywood itself lies at the foot of the hills and is connected with the film industry that the sign represents. Combining a hillside view with a stroll in the district below gives a fuller sense of why the name carries such weight.
Allow time for the walk, bring water, and check local access arrangements before you set out, as conditions on the hillside can change.
