A Hike to the Hollywood Sign (and a Bit of Sign History)
Possibly one of the most iconic landmarks in Southern California is the world famous Hollywood sign. If you are an Angeleno, you have likely driven somewhere is Los Angeles, looked up to the Hollywood Hills and seen the famous sign. But do you know the history of the sign and have you spent any time exploring? If not let me take you on a brief journey…
A Very Short History of the Hollywood Sign
Over a century ago, the sign was constructed to bring attention to a new development in the Hollywood Hills, Hollywoodland. In 1923, an electric sign flashed out the name in hopes of luring customers to purchase a home in this budding community. The idea was to build an exclusive gated community near the Hollywood studios to attract people in the film industry. In the pictures below, you can see that the gates still exist. The homes were were to be built in specific styles: French Normandy, Mediterranean and Spanish. If you visit the Beachwood Canyon area today, it is fun to walk around the area to see these “storybook” structures.
The Hollywood Sign was to have been removed by the developers but due to community support, it remained up although fell into disrepair. It was donated to the city of Los Angeles in 1944 and refurbished in 1949 when the “land” portion of the sign was removed. It was again repaired in 1978 when the sign was rebuilt in steel to avoid the continual destruction by the elements. This is the sign you see today.
The Hollywoodland Gate
An Afternoon at the Hollywood Sign
Unless you live near the Hollywood Sign, it can be a bit of a trek to get there. So my friend and I decided to make an afternoon of it. We started in the adorable town of Beachwood Canyon where you can walk the streets to view some of the original houses built in Hollywoodland.
The Original Hollywoodland Realty Company
A “Storybook” House in Beachwood Canyon
You also might want to have breakfast or lunch at the Beachwood Cafe, a bustling place made famous by a few Harry Styles visits! Located in the historic Beachwood Canyon, it has a casual 60s vibe, is incredibly busy but definitely worth the wait. I ordered the Beachwood Scramblette although there are many yummy breakfast/lunch choices.
The Beachwood Cafe
An Interior Mural depicting the Cafe and surrounding area.
There are several starting points for a Hollywood sign hike. Possibly the most well known are the Bronson Canyon entrance, Brush Canyon or the Griffith Park Observatory. We decided to start at the Hollywood Resorvoir. Actually there is a great three and a half mile trail around the reservoir if you are more inclined to walk. But there is also a trailhead that ends with a great view of the Hollywood sign. If you look to the right as you stand at the reservoir entrance, you will see a gate that leads to the trailhead.
The Hollywood Resorvoir Walk
The hike that we did to the Hollywood Sign viewing area is approximately 3 miles round trip. Total time was about two hours start to finish. It is mostly uphill so definitely bring your comfy walking shoes. Due to all of the rain we have experienced, the trail is a bit rough. I tried to find some obvious markers on the trail but there really aren’t any. My best advice is to hike towards Castillo de Lago which is on a hillside that is easily viewed. A fun fact: Castillo del Lago was originally owned by Bugsy Siegel and supposedly used as a gambling den. In the nineties it was purchased by Madonna although she no longer owns it. When you reach the driveway below the home, you are very near the end of the trail.
The view from Canyon Lake Drive
The trail ends at a viewing area where you will easily be able to get a view of the Hollywood Sign. Although it is still off in the distance, it is such a great sight. You will complete your hike just above Lake Hollywood Park on Canyon Lake Drive. However if you want to hike to get very close to the sign (actually behind the sign) you will need to go up to the right approximately a mile and a half further. Instead, my suggestion would be to go to an entirely different trail: the Brush Trail. If we would have kept going, the total hike distance is approximately 6 miles roundtrip. We definitely weren’t up for that distance today. I am including a youtube link for the Brush Canyon Trail. (HikingGuy)
If you have a free afternoon, I would highly suggest this hike. Although it is a bit steep, it is a very doable distance. There are so many other things to experience you can certainly spend a couple of days exploring (the Bronson Caves, the Wisdom Tree or the Observatory just to name a few.) But a trip to Beachwood Canyon, breakfast at Beachwood Cafe and a hike to the Hollywood Sign defintely makes for a fun adventure.
XO
Wendy