It may be the ultimate Southern California landmark and yet it is one that many L.A. natives have never seen up close.
About 1,600 feet above the downtown skyline, the movie studios, and Hollywood Boulevard stands the iconic Hollywood sign.
While millions can see it each day, not all of them know about the different trails that offer an opportunity to see the other side of the sign.
On a recent trip, I made my way just a couple miles off the walk of fame to one of the different trails to access the sign. There are several trails ranging from a few miles to one that is closer to a nine mile loop. Some of those trails also start from the famous and nearby Griffith Park Observatory.
There is more parking at the observatory, but early on a Sunday morning, I was still able to find parking near the Brush Canyon/Bronson Caves trail entrance along Canyon Drive. Going in one direction on this trail will take you to the sign, going the other will take you to a superhero’s hideout. More on those caves a little later.
One other thing to point out. Be aware of signs in the nearby neighborhood that indicate homeowners have the same relationship with park users as stars do with the paparazzi.
The funny thing those from Colorado will notice is the elevation of the ‘mountains’. Mt. Lee which is home to the sign is just 1,680 feet. If you take a closer look at the trail sign you will notice if you climb to the top of Mt. Hollywood (1,625 feet) you will actually end up a few miles away from the sign. That is why trails are clearly marked at each intersection to make sure tourists and locals don’t end up at the wrong place.
From the Brush Canyon/Bronson Caves trail it is about 2 miles to get above and behind the sign. The trail that goes a few hundred feet below the sign is about 2.3 miles. While it may be closer to sea level most of the trails up to the sign are still quite a workout.
A quick ascent leads to a series of switchbacks that give a side profile view of the Hollywood sign and the transmission towers next to it. The closer you get to the summit you begin to get both panoramic views of both downtown L.A. on one side and Burbank on the other side of the ridge. Just below the sign on that Burbank side are views of the Disney, Warner Bros., and ABC studio lots. Directly below is also Forest Lawn Memorial Park and the final resting place for stars including Michael Jackson, Lucille Ball, John Ritter, Brittany Murphy, Debbie Reynolds and her daughter Carrie Fisher just to name a few.
Near the summit there is something to see before the sign. A marker shows the list of Hollywood elite that have helped to preserve the area and nearby Cahuenga Peak. A member of the Getty family is listed right next to Hugh Hefner and the Tiffany Co. LucasFilm, Steven Spielberg, The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, and many of the studios are also given credit. Many not so famous people have also tried to leave their mark there as well.
Coming around the final turn is a view that is familiar yet different at the same time. A high fence and cameras guard the 44 foot tall letters. Only by walking up a few more feet to the top of the ridge can you take in the sign which is 352 feet long.
If you go bring a lunch or a snack and take in the view from a small area with a couple benches just above the end of the trail. The sign was originally built in 1923 to advertise a real estate development called Hollywoodland. From the sign you can also see Lake Hollywood and right next to it Hollywood Bowl. It’s L.A.’s version of Red Rocks. You can comment on which one has the better location.
Back down at the the bottom of Brush Canyon trail near the parking areas is a small side road with a gate. Beyond that gate is a place Batman fans of the tv series will enjoy. Less than a quarter mile walk will lead to the batcave.
If the theme song from that series isn’t in your head someone else exploring the cave will gladly and randomly start singing it. The cave isn’t very long, roughly 30 to 50 yards. The back of the cave leads to another small area of the canyon, a small labyrinth of rocks and several trash cans are set up nearby for the crowds that come here.
This is a place for those drawn to natural beauty in the heart of L.A. while others are there to check another box on their Hollywood Must See list.
Hollywood Boulevard and all of its stars on the sidewalk are very close by and worth it if only for the people watching. But for those longing to get some dirt under their feet and get above it all in SoCal this may be just the place to go. It’s also free and might help balance out the vacation budget after stops at other famous L.A. destinations.
