The Hollywood Sign is the iconic white-letter landmark perched on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles. It originated in 1923 as an advertisement for the Hollywoodland real estate development and has since evolved into a symbol of the film industry and the broader entertainment dream.
Key details
- History and origin: The sign began as “Hollywoodland” in 1923, built as a glamorous billboard for a residential development. Over time, the sign came to symbolize the movie industry and the aspirational culture of Hollywood.
- Location and viewing: The sign sits on Mt. Lee in the southwestern part of Griffith Park, with popular viewpoints from Griffith Observatory, nearby trails in Griffith Park, and various overlooks along Mulholland Highway and Canyon Lake Drive. Direct close-up access is limited to protect the structure and surrounding environment.
- Physical characteristics: The sign measures hundreds of feet in length with individual letters standing tens of feet tall; typical figures cited describe the letters as 45 feet tall, contributing to its dramatic presence when viewed from a distance.
- Public access and preservation: While the sign itself is not illuminated at night, there are live views and webcams maintained by organizations like the Hollywood Sign Trust to help visitors plan safe viewing spots. The official site and local tourism resources provide guidance on where to view safely.
If you’d like, I can tailor recommendations for viewing spots based on whether you want a hiking approach, a drive-up viewpoint, or a photography-friendly location, and I can include current accessibility notes.
