If you drive up into the hills near Griffith Park, you’ll eventually hit a massive expanse of green that feels more like a manicured park or a colonial village than a graveyard. That’s Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. Honestly, most people show up here with a map of "celebrity graves" they found on some sketchy website, expecting a somber, gothic experience. They’re usually wrong.
Forest Lawn isn't just a place where famous people end up. It’s a 400-acre statement about American history, patriotism, and a very specific kind of California optimism.
Founded in 1948, this location is the "younger" sibling to the original Forest Lawn in Glendale. While the Glendale site feels like a European cathedral tour, the Hollywood Hills location is basically a giant outdoor museum dedicated to the "American Way." You’ve got a massive mosaic of the Declaration of Independence, a bronze statue of George Washington, and a church that looks like it was ripped straight out of a 1700s Boston suburb. It’s weird. It’s beautiful. And it is deeply, profoundly Los Angeles.
Why Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Isn't Your Average Graveyard
Most cemeteries are designed to make you think about the end. Dr. Hubert Eaton, the guy who dreamed up Forest Lawn, hated that. He thought traditional graveyards were "unsightly and depressing." He wanted "Memorial Parks."
You won't find many upright headstones here.
Most of the markers are flat against the ground. This was a deliberate choice to keep the landscape looking like an unbroken park. It’s why you’ll see families having picnics or people jogging through the winding roads. If you didn't know any better, you’d think you were in a particularly quiet section of the neighboring Griffith Park.
The architecture is where things get truly wild. The Church of the Hills is a literal recreation of the St. Georges Meeting House in Savannah, Georgia. Then there’s the Old North Church, which is a replica of the one in Boston. Why? Because Eaton wanted to instill a sense of heritage in the people of Southern California, a place that—back in the 1940s—felt like it had no history of its own.
The Birth of the "Celebrity" Cemetery
Let’s be real: most visitors are looking for the stars. Because of its proximity to Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal Studios, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills became the default resting place for the industry's elite.
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It’s the "Industry" cemetery.
If you go to Hollywood Forever on Santa Monica Boulevard, you get the old-school, silent-film-era glamour. But at Hollywood Hills? You get the icons of the TV and blockbuster era. We’re talking about Bette Davis, Lucille Ball, and Stan Laurel. There’s something almost surreal about seeing these names on simple, flat bronze plaques. No massive mausoleums that look like Greek temples (well, mostly). Just names in the grass.
The Cultural Significance of the "Court of Liberty"
You can't talk about this place without mentioning the Court of Liberty. It is dominated by the Birth of Liberty mosaic.
It’s huge.
It’s 162 feet long and 28 feet high, made of millions of pieces of Venetian glass. It depicts scenes from the American Revolution. Standing in front of it in the middle of a California heatwave is a strange experience. It feels like a high school history textbook came to life in the middle of a garden.
This area also houses the Hall of Liberty, which contains a 1,200-seat auditorium. Over the years, this hall has hosted everything from patriotic ceremonies to high-profile funerals. It serves as a reminder that Forest Lawn was never just about death; it was about creating a community space that celebrated a specific version of the American identity.
Modern Legends and Private Tributes
In recent years, the park has become the site of some of the most publicized memorials in modern history.
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Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds are here. Their memorial is a poignant touchstone for fans of both Star Wars and the Golden Age of Hollywood. Then there’s Matthew Perry. His passing in 2023 brought a new wave of visitors to the park, many looking for a place to pay respects to a man who felt like a friend to millions.
It’s important to remember that while the park is open to the public, it is still a functioning cemetery. You’ll often see security guards near the more "popular" gravesites, not to be jerks, but to ensure that the families of the deceased aren't being harassed by tourists with TikTok accounts.
Exploring the Grounds: A Practical Approach
If you’re actually planning to visit, don't just wander aimlessly. You will get lost. The roads are winding and the hills are steeper than they look on Google Maps.
- The Information Center: Start here. They won't give you a "Map to the Stars" because it’s considered disrespectful, but they can help you find the major historical landmarks like the statues or the churches.
- The View: Drive up to the highest point. You can see the entire San Fernando Valley. On a clear day, it’s one of the best vistas in the city, and it’s completely free.
- The Museums: The Forest Lawn Museum often has rotating exhibits that have nothing to do with death. They’ve done everything from stained glass displays to exhibitions on LEGO art.
You should also check out the Lincoln Terrace. It features a 13-foot bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln and a series of mosaics depicting his life. It’s quiet, shaded, and honestly a great place to sit and think.
Common Misconceptions About the Park
One thing people always get confused is the difference between this location and the one in Glendale.
Glendale has the "Last Supper" window and the "Great Mausoleum." Hollywood Hills has the "Birth of Liberty" and the "Old North Church." If you’re looking for Michael Jackson or Elizabeth Taylor, you’re at the wrong park—they’re in Glendale. If you’re looking for Liberace or Paul Walker, you’re in the right place.
Another misconception? That it’s "creepy."
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It’s not. It’s probably the least creepy place in Los Angeles. There are no crumbling tombstones or weeping willow trees. It’s bright, sunny, and smells like freshly cut grass. It’s a very Southern California way to handle the afterlife: clean, organized, and cinematic.
The Ethics of "Tombstone Tourism"
There is a constant debate about whether people should be visiting Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills just to see famous graves.
Some people find it tacky.
But if you look at the history of the park, Hubert Eaton actually wanted people to come. He built the museums and the statues to attract the public. The key is how you behave. It’s a place of grief for thousands of families who aren't famous. If you’re there with a tripod and a ring light, you’re doing it wrong. If you’re there to appreciate the art, the history, and the lives of those buried there, you’re exactly the kind of visitor Eaton imagined.
What to Do Next
If you want to experience Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills properly, give yourself at least two hours. Don't rush it.
- Check the Event Calendar: Forest Lawn often hosts Veterans Day ceremonies, Easter Sunrise services, and art openings. These are great ways to see the park in its intended community role.
- Research the Art, Not Just the People: Look up the history of the "Birth of Liberty" mosaic before you go. Knowing that it’s based on real historical paintings makes seeing it in person much more impactful.
- Respect the Rules: No professional filming without a permit, and definitely no picnics on the actual grave plots. Use the designated benches and lawn areas.
- Visit Griffith Park After: Since you’re already in the hills, head over to the Observatory or the LA Zoo. They are minutes away and round out a day of exploring the more "natural" side of the city.
The real magic of this place isn't in the celebrity names. It’s in the weird, ambitious, slightly over-the-top way it tries to capture the "American Spirit." It’s a monument to the idea that even in death, Los Angeles wants to put on a show.
Actionable Insight: Download the "Forest Lawn" app before you arrive. It includes a GPS-enabled map that identifies the historical monuments and major buildings, which is much more reliable than trying to follow paper directions while driving up the narrow hill roads.