You’ve seen it a thousand times in movies, usually right before some giant monster knocks it over or a superhero flies past it. It’s that massive, white-lettered beacon of "I’ve made it" perched high above the city of Los Angeles. But honestly, if you just punch "Hollywood Sign" into your GPS and start driving, you’re probably going to end up frustrated, stuck in a dead-end residential street, or staring at a "No Access" sign while a local homeowner gives you the side-eye.
So, where is the Hollywood sign located exactly?
Basically, it sits on the southern slope of Mount Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains. It's technically part of Griffith Park, which is a massive urban wilderness—one of the biggest in the country. If you want the technical details, the coordinates are roughly $34^{\circ}8'02"N, 118^{\circ}19'17"W$. But knowing the numbers doesn't help you find the trail, and it definitely won't help you find a parking spot in a city that hates parking.
It’s Not Actually in Hollywood (Kinda)
Here is the weird thing: the sign isn’t really in the neighborhood of Hollywood. Not officially. It overlooks it. When people ask where the sign is, they usually assume they can just walk up a hill from Hollywood Boulevard and touch it.
Nope. Not even close.
The sign is tucked away in the Beachwood Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills. It faces south, looking down on the sprawl of Los Angeles. Back in 1923, when it was first put up, it actually said HOLLYWOODLAND. It was just a temporary billboard for a real estate development. It was only meant to stay up for about 18 months. Fast forward a century, and it’s still there, though the "LAND" part got chopped off in 1949 because the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce didn't want to pay to maintain it.
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Mount Lee: The Summit You Can’t Quite Touch
The letters are 45 feet tall. They look huge from a distance, but when you’re standing on the trail behind them, they are massive. The area immediately surrounding the letters is a restricted zone. Don’t even think about hopping the fence. It’s wired with motion sensors, high-definition cameras, and probably more security than some small banks. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has a 24/7 surveillance setup there. If you touch a letter, you’re looking at a $1,000 fine and potentially a very uncomfortable ride in a squad car.
The Three Best Ways to Get Close
Since you can't just drive to the base of the letters, you have to hike. Or ride a horse. Or pay for a helicopter. But most people hike. There are three main routes that vary in "will I regret this later" intensity.
1. The Easy Route: Mt. Hollywood Trail
This is the one most people do because it starts at the Griffith Observatory. You get to see the sign from a side-angle, and it’s a pretty gentle walk. It’s great for photos, but you aren’t going to be behind the sign.
2. The Moderate Route: Brush Canyon Trail
This starts at the end of Canyon Drive. It’s about 6.4 miles round trip. It’s a wide dirt road, so you won’t get lost, but there is zero shade. None. If you go at noon in July, you’re basically a rotisserie chicken. This trail eventually connects to Mount Lee Drive, which takes you directly behind the letters. Seeing the city through the "O" from the back is a trip.
3. The "I Hike for Fun" Route: Cahuenga Peak
This is the rugged one. It’s steep, rocky, and takes you to the highest point in the park. You’ll pass the "Wisdom Tree" (the only tree to survive a 2007 fire in the area) and then approach the sign from the west. It’s the best way to avoid the crowds if you don't mind a little scrambling.
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Why the GPS Lies to You
If you type "Hollywood Sign" into Google Maps while driving, it might try to send you up Beachwood Drive or Deronda Drive.
Don't do it.
A few years ago, the city closed the historic access gate at the top of Beachwood Drive to the public after a massive legal battle with a local stable. Now, those residential streets are filled with "No Entry" signs and very strict parking enforcement. If you park illegally there, your car will be towed faster than you can say "is that Brad Pitt?"
Instead, aim for these specific trailheads:
- 3200 Canyon Drive (Brush Canyon Trailhead)
- 2800 E Observatory Rd (Griffith Observatory)
- Lake Hollywood Park (3160 Canyon Lake Dr) — This isn't a hike, but it’s the best spot to just park and take a selfie with the sign right behind you.
A Little Dark History
The sign has seen some things. In 1932, a young actress named Peg Entwistle, frustrated by her struggling career, climbed a workman’s ladder to the top of the "H" and jumped. It’s a grim piece of Hollywood lore that people still talk about today. Some people even claim she haunts the hills, but honestly, the only thing scaring people up there these days is the price of a bottle of water at the Griffith Observatory cafe.
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By the 1970s, the sign was a total wreck. The "O" had tumbled down the hill, and the "L" was on fire. It looked like a set from a post-apocalyptic movie. It was Alice Cooper and Hugh Hefner who eventually saved it by hosting a gala to raise money for the steel version we see today. Each letter was "sponsored" by a celebrity.
Things to Remember Before You Go
- The Sign isn't lit: There are no lights on the sign at night. If you go after dark, you’re just looking at a big black shadow. It’s actually illegal to be in the park after 10:30 PM anyway.
- Bring Water: I cannot stress this enough. People get rescued by helicopters every summer because they thought they could hike 6 miles in 90-degree heat with a Starbucks latte.
- Rattlesnakes are real: They live in the brush. Stay on the wide paths and you'll be fine, but don't go poking around in the tall grass for a "better angle."
- Cell service is spotty: Ironically, for a place covered in communication towers, the canyons can be a total dead zone. Download your maps before you go.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to see where the Hollywood sign is located today, do it right. Start early—like 7:00 AM early. Not only is it cooler, but you’ll actually find a spot at the Canyon Drive parking lot.
Take the Brush Canyon Trail. It’s long but easy to navigate. When you get to the T-junction at the top, turn right to go behind the sign for that iconic "look-at-me-I'm-in-LA" shot, then double back and head toward the Griffith Observatory for the sunset. If you're tired, take the DASH Observatory bus back down to the Vermont/Santa Monica Metro station. It only costs a few cents (or is sometimes free) and saves your knees the trek back down.
Check the weather before you leave. If it's "June Gloom," the sign might be completely swallowed by clouds, and you'll have hiked three miles to see a white wall of fog. Wait for the sun to break through, usually around 11:00 AM, and you’ll get the view you actually came for.