01/06/09

hollywood sign

by grabtrees

i love cruising up and seeing this sign! i know you can't get very close, but theres a dog park ill park at and walk up the hill a bit, its just such a pretty view of the sign and the city!

09/19/05

An advertising ploy turned world-famous landmark.

by Contributor

The Background
The 50-foot-tall sign was born in 1923 as an oversized ad for the new Hollywoodland housing development. The "land" suffix disappeared early on (it's unclear as to how), leaving the sign as it's recognized today. Once covered Vegas-style with 4,000 lightbulbs, the sign has stood for nearly eight decades, becoming one of the most cherished and endearing landmarks in America. In addition to at least three face-lifts, the sign has endured controversy (a disillusioned actress jumped to her death from atop the "H"), neglect (deteriorating and fallen letters) and vandalism (a pro-marijuana group altered the sign to "Hollyweed").

The Appeal
Nobody visits Los Angeles without snapping the Hollywood sign. While you can't physically reach the sign anymore because it's fenced off, a drive into the Hollywood Hills and a little patience behind the wheel will get you close enough to pose for the requisite snapshot.

08/25/02

Institutionalized

by boco244

3rd street promenade is fun - shopping at midnight appeals to people for some reason. The Pier and Venice should be seen, but to appeal to EVERYONE, not just art buffs (Getty) and nature lovers (Huntington), seeing THE SIGN is a requisite. The Hills are awesome to drive through, the houses eclectic, and views tremendous and in the end, seeing the sign is something worth traveling all the way to Los Angeles.

• Pros: free, famous, fantastic
• Cons: cannot touch it

08/20/02

Vigorous hike

by tvds21

There is no way to hike up to the front of the sign. The only way is to go walking up by the rear of Mt Lee. To do so, you have to drive to the end of Beachwood Drive. Once you get to the Hollywoodland entrance, keep going... The street will get narrow. You begin to feel that you are going the wrong way, but that´s the path... Reaching the end of the asphalt, you´re going to find a gate where you have to park. Beyond that it´s not private property, but it feels like it, since it´s all so quiet and the suspicion that someone is watching you... just keep on walking. You are going to hike around Mt Lee by this trail... Then you finally reach the top, where a fence protects the Sign, along with surveillance cameras... Very good view of LA and SF valley.

07/24/02

HOLLYWEED!!!!

by fragglesmonkey

the Hollywood sign is visible from anywhere in Los Angeles....I can look out the window and see it....nothing spectacular. If your coming to L.A. hoping for something great...you will be dissapointed! And dont even think about going up to it- its barracaded!!! It still has aesthetic value though....i cant speak for any non L.A. natives--- but they all seem to enjoy it!!! Just shows ho

• Pros: CALI RULES!!!!
• Cons: OVERRATED

07/12/02

Overrated

by batgirl824

There are no lights, so you can only see it during the day. And you can't get close to it. The best view of the sign is from the Griffith Observatory.

• Pros: It's free

05/21/02

Sign of the Times

by taradelis_citysearch

As a lifelong LA resident, I don't normally think of the Hollywood Sign in any special terms, but reading some of these reviews made me alter my perceptions.

For those who complained that it's hard to get a good view, I suggest finding your way up to the Hollywood Hills (unofficial) dog park. It's a great vantage point. Just don't do it late at night. If you don't live in the neighborhood, security guards will kick you out.