The Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign, one of the most famous city welcome signs, is a cultural symbol and a landmark in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. It was formerly known as the Hollywoodland Sign and is located on Mount Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains' Beachwood Canyon neighborhood. It was originally erected in 1923 as a temporary advertisement for a local real estate development in 45-foot (13.7 m) white uppercase letters and 350 feet (106.7 m) long, but due to gaining awareness, the sign was left up and replaced in 1978 with a more robust all-steel construction.

The sign is one of the most well-known monuments in both California and the United States, and it frequently appears in popular culture, particularly in establishing shots for films and television shows set in or around Hollywood. The sign has been a regular target of pranks and vandalism throughout the decades due to its extensive recognition and visibility from various sites in the Los Angeles Basin. It has now been restored, including the installation of a security system to dissuade criminal activity. The Hollywood Sign Trust, a non-profit organization, protects and promotes the sign, and its location and surrounding property are part of Griffith Park.

Visitors can hike to the sign from either the Bronson Canyon or Griffith Observatory entrances to Griffith Park. There is also a trailhead outside of Griffith Park near the Lake Hollywood Reservoir, and while not an access point in and of itself, there is a popular panoramic vista point around Lake Hollywood Park near the trailhead.

Location: Griffith Park, Mount Lee, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S

Built: 1923

Architect: Thomas Fisk Goff