As the days grow longer and temperatures grow warmer, Los Angeles beckons with a host of outdoor activities and experiences that provide panoramic views of the Hollywood Sign, the city’s most recognizable symbol, for that perfect photo opportunity. From al fresco dining to horseback riding to soaring by helicopter, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board is spotlighting the myriad of ways for visitors to head outside and enjoy the world-famous icon.
“As Spring transitions into Summer, opportunities to enjoy sunshine, fresh air and gorgeous views of The Hollywood Sign abound,” said Adam Burke, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. “Perched in the hills above Los Angeles, the Sign is visible from hiking trails, rooftop restaurants, cultural attractions, local parks and more venues across the city, offering a variety of ways to have fun in the sun and get a front row seat to LA’s most recognizable landmark. Of course, with many Angelenos living in surrounding neighborhoods, we also ask visitors to travel responsibly and enjoy the Sign from these numerous, publicly available viewpoints.”
The Hollywood Sign is a treasured Los Angeles monument and a beloved symbol of all the city has to offer. Accordingly to a recent SMARInsights brand study commissioned by Los Angeles Tourism, nearly 80% of respondendents affirmed that the Hollywood Sign is Los Angeles’ most iconic landmark. Nine of 10 Americans consider the Hollywood Sign an iconic Amerian landmark, on par with the Statue of Liberty, Washington Monument, Mount Rushmore, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Nearly all Americans associate the sign with city of Los Angeles, and only the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Washington Monument in Washington, DC enjoy similar levels of location identification.
Over the past century, the Sign and the surrounding area has been protected and preserved from both developers and disrepair, defended by citizens and celebrities alike. The Hollywood Sign Trust, a nonprofit organization formed to maintain the cultural and historic landmark for future generations, ensured that the 45-foot-tall letters were refreshed and ready for their close up in advance of the sign’s centennial year.
In honour of this significant anniversary, Los Angeles Tourism invites guests and Angelenos alike to enjoy LA’s great outdoors and revel in striking views of The Hollywood Sign. From hiking or riding through the city’s trails and parks, to sipping and snacking at Hollywood’s hottest rooftop venues, here are some of the best ways to experience the Sign:
HIKING TRAILS & PARKS
- GRIFFITH PARK: Among the best places to see the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Park offers multiple hiking trails on Mt. Hollywood, many departing straight from the iconic Griffith Observatory. The Cahuenga Peak Trail is among the most popular, a strenuous trek that rewards you with a unique view from behind the Sign and overlooking Downtown Los Angeles.
- BRONSON CANYON: Bronson Canyon, home of the Batcave from the Batman ‘60s TV show, offers a selection of hikes and different vantage points to view the sign.
- LAKE HOLLYWOOD PARK: For those more interested in strolls or picnics than hikes, the reservoir at Lake Hollywood Park has a direct view of the Sign and is accessible by car and a short walk.
- RUNYON CANYON: Among the city’s most popular locations to see and be seen, Runyon Canyon offers distant, dramatic views of the sign, especially from the top of the park.
GUIDED TOURS
- BIKES AND HIKES LA TOURS: Bikes and Hikes is the top outdoor tour company in LA, offering two different tours to The Hollywood Sign that expound on the area’s unique history. The Original Hollywood Sign Tour is an easy walk, through Griffith Park and below the Sign in 90 minutes, while the Original Hollywood Sign Hik takes a slightly steeper trail up behind the Hollywood Sign to get up close with the icon over two and a half hours.
- SUNSET RANCH HOLLYWOOD: For an “only in L.A.” experience, guided horseback riding tours at Sunset Ranch Hollywood offer spectacular views of the Sign both day and night.
- STARLINE TOURS: Guides with Starline tours shuttle guests through the back roads of Hollywood Hills during their one-hour Hollywood Sign tour, with views of Lake Hollywood, the vista of Downtown Los Angeles and the tinsel town glamour of Hollywood Boulevard.
HELICOPTER EXPERIENCES
- GROUP 3 AVIATION: Flying out of Van Nuys Airport, Group 3 Aviation offers a 35-minute Hooray for Hollywood Tour, soaring above the Sign and the Hollywood hills.
- ORBIC AIR: Based at Hollywood Burbank Airport, Orbic Air boasts the closest views of the Hollywood Sign with its ten-minute tour, which includes bird’s eye views of Universal Studios Hollywood and the Griffith Observatory.
- STAR VIP TOUR: Star Helicopters’ one-hour Star VIP Tour takes off from Hawthorne Municipal Airport and includes a fly-by of the Hollywood Sign along with sweeping views from the South Bay to the Valley.
- IEX HELICOPERS: From the Queen Mary Heliport in Long Beach, IEX Helicopters takes passengers up-close for an incredible view of the Hollywood Sign, soaring over landmarks from the coast to the skyscrapers of Downtown L.A.
ROOFTOP BARS & RESTAURANTS
- LEMON GROVE: Occupying the top floor of the Aster Club and Hotel, Lemon Grove serves up gorgeous views of the Sign and delectable cuisine from Top Chef alum Marcel Vigneron.
- DESERT 5 SPOT: A laid-back lounge inspired by Pioneertown, Desert 5 Spot offers colorful drinks and light bites and a great vantage point to view The Hollywood Sign.
- MAMA SHELTER: Few spots offer unobstructed view of the iconic Hollywood sign like Mama Shelter, serving up drinks and snacks in addition to its striking vista.
- BAR LIS: The French Riviera-inspired Bar Lis offers a lovely spot for sign viewing, with a retractable roof, delicious food and drink menu, and live music many nights of the week.
- GRANDMASTER RECORDERS: With a breathtaking view of the city skyline, The Hollywood Sign and Capitol Records, the creative cocktails and bites are plentiful at Grandmaster Recorders, as are the good vibes.
- THE HIGHLIGHT ROOM: The expansive outdoor rooftop lounge, pool and grill is set high above Hollywood with unparalleled aerial views of the famed Hollywood sign and the Los Angeles skyline.
HOTELS WITH VIEWS
- THE KIMPTON EVERLY HOTEL: The boutique Kimpton Everly Hotel is right in the heart of Hollywood glitz and glamour, offering views of the Sign and the Hollywood hills from the rooftop and select guest rooms.
- TOMMIE HOLLYWOOD: Check in to the tommie Hollywood for panoramic city and Hollywood Sign views from their colorful rooftop pool and from Hollywood Hills view guestrooms.
- THOMPSON HOLLYWOOD: The chic rooftop pool, dining experiences and event spaces at the laid back, yet refined Thompson Hollywood offer impressive views of the Hollywood Sign.
- LOEWS HOLLYWOOD: An urban oasis at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, Loews Hollywood offers Hollywood Sign views from a collection of guest rooms and meeting spaces.
- DREAM HOLLYWOOD: The west coast flagship of Dream Hotels is tucked among the scenic Hollywood Hills, boasting a mid-century modern aesthetic guest rooms and public spaces with impressive views of the Hollywood sign.
- W HOLLYWOOD: On the always-lively Hollywood Boulevard, W Hollywood offers expansive vistas of the Hollywood Sign from their rooftop pool and lounge, guest rooms and suites, and event venues.
OTHER SPOTS
- GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY: The beloved cultural landmark and icon of the silver screen Griffith Observatory, home to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, offers a premier view of the Hollywood Sign just a short distance from the parking lot.
- THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL: Climb up to the top of The Hollywood Bowl amphitheater for striking views of the stage and the Sign perched in the hills beyond.
- OVATION HOLLYWOOD: Formerly known as Hollywood & Highland, Ovation Hollywood is a shopping and entertainment complex that houses the Dolby Theatre (home of the Oscars since 2002) and the TCL Chinese Theatre. There are spots throughout the development dedicated to viewing the famed sign, especially the 4th level bridge.
Source: Los Angeles Tourism
