Hollywood Sign

The best view of the Hollywood Sign is from down below, at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Bronson Avenue. Other top viewing spots include the Hollywood and Highland Center, the top of Beachwood Drive, and the Griffith Observatory for 360° views of the Hollywood Sign and surrounding valley.

Most Los Angeles and Hollywood sightseeing tours include at least a glimpse of the sign, while some Hollywood Sign tours include a helicopter ride or a hike into the Hollywood Hills to see the sign from behind and a visit to the observatory. On hiking tours, a tour guide shows travelers to the optimal vantage points for the best views over Beverly Hills. Tours depart from downtown LA, Anaheim, and as far away as Las Vegas.

• The famous sign hasn't been lit up since New Year's Eve of 2000, but its bright white letters often make it seem to glow in the night.

• Guided tours allow for safe photo opportunities so there's no need to make a dangerous stop in the middle of the mountain road.

• Dogs are permitted on hiking trails so long as they are kept on leash.

• Hikers should bring sun protection and water.

• It's strictly prohibited to hike to the Hollywood Sign (you'll be met with a chain link fence and security cameras), but the Brush Canyon Trail brings hikers to the peak right behind the sign.

You can reach the sign on foot by taking the 6.4-mile (10.2-kilometer) round-trip hike on the Brush Canyon Trail in Griffith Park; the trailhead is at the end of Canyon Drive. Alternatively, visitors can drive into the hills for a closer look, arrive on a horseback riding excursion, or fly in on a helicopter tour for great aerial view.

The sign is always there, you just have to decide when you want to see it. Try a sunrise hike for fewer crowds and some solitude, or take in the sunset from the hills while enjoying great views of LA and the homes of various movie stars. Griffith Park and its hiking trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Thanks to Southern California's warm weather, the hike can be made any time of year.

Once aglow with 4,000 light bulbs, the sign once had its own caretaker, who lived behind the letter L until 1939. Originally constructed to spell Hollywoodland, the sign's last four letters were removed in the 1940s as they started to crumble. In the late 1970s, celebrities Alice Cooper and Hugh Hefner joined forces with fans and other stars to save the famous symbol.

Yes, you can tour near the world's most famous sign—choose a Hollywood tour that heads to photo vistas of the Hollywood Hills in an air-conditioned vehicle, or take a guided or self-guided hike closer to the sign. Note that the sign is fenced off, and it's illegal to enter the closed area.

Yes, you should book a Hollywood Sign tour in advance as it's one of the more popular activities for travelers to LA. You don't need a Hollywood Sign ticket to visit, but if you book a tour in advance, you'll also be able to choose one that works best for you in terms of timing, group size, and focus.

Hollywood Sign tours vary in duration—some take an hour, while others take a day to travel across multiple LA destinations. If you’re hiking or walking to get close to the sign, most tours take roughly three hours. You can also helicopter over the sign, which usually takes less than 60-minutes.

The best time to see the Hollywood Sign is October–May, when the cooler weather means there's less smog. From there, you’ll want to visit early in the morning or around sunset when you’ll get the best lighting, and there will be fewer people—especially if you visit midweek.

No, you can’t take a picture directly in front of the Hollywood sign—and you can’t touch it. From the best vantage points, like Hollywood Reservoir, it’ll be miles in the background. Hiking via Brush Canyon Trail gets you closest; you’ll be behind the sign, but with better city views so don't forget your camera.

No. To get near the Hollywood Sign, you’ll need to hike in the Hollywood Hills where there are restrooms, regardless of the trail you take. Most people view the sign from further away, at places with tourist infrastructure, like the Hollywood Reservoir or Griffith Observatory, both with restrooms.