The Charlie Turner Trail to Mount Hollywood (Griffith Park)
You can get a bird's-eye crash course in Los Angeles geography at the top of Mount Hollywood, which is the hill behind the Griffith Observatory and is not to be confused with Mount Lee, which is adorned with the Hollywood Sign. From the Verdugo Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, its 360-degree views provide a glimpse of everything (on a rare, smog-free day, at least).
Pick up the trail on the north side of the Observatory parking lot to ascend Mount Hollywood, Griffith's highest peak. The path quickly enters the hills and winds deeper and higher until, after about 15 minutes, the Hollywood Sign can be seen to the left. The path initially begins among scrubby evergreens. You'll arrive at the top, where there is a sizable, dusty clearing with picnic tables, after about a good 40 minutes of walking. It's an excellent vantage point for viewing expansive views of the Los Angeles basin, the edge of the San Fernando Valley, the misty hills to the west, the skyline of Downtown Los Angeles with the Observatory in the foreground, and the prize: a view of the Hollywood Sign at eye level across the canyon.
- Address: 2800 E Observatory Ave
- Hours: Parking lot 5am–10pm. Hiking trails close at sunset.
- Parking: Snag a spot in the lot next to the Griffith Observatory. If that lot is too hectic, look for street parking along Observatory Avenue. Both cost $8–$10 per hour. Alternatively, a DASH bus runs up Vermont Avenue daily from 10am–10pm for only 50 cents (35 cents with a TAP card).
- Pets? Dogs allowed on leashes.
- Length: ~3 miles
- Time: 90 mins
