How Can You Get To The Hollywood Sign
The famous Hollywood sign is one of Los Angeles’s most well-known landmarks. It was made popular in the 1970’s when it appeared in several TV shows and movies, including some that have since become classics like Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place.
Now almost forty years later, the Hollywood sign has once again returned as an integral part of our culture. In fact, you can even buy merchandise with its face printed on it!
While many people know what they're supposed to do after seeing this iconic image, there are actually three different routes you can take to get to the Hollywood sign if you live or work in the area. This article will talk about them!
Get familiar with the local roads around the Hollywood sign
If you’re already somewhat familiar with Southern California, then your first step should be figuring out where the various entrances to the Hollywood hills are.
Most major streets in the area connect up to the hill so getting started here is important. By knowing which exits off these highways lead towards the Hollywood sign, you'll know how to get to it quickly and efficiently without having to worry about finding a place to park!
Also known as turnouts, these ramps usually start at an intersection and go uphill, taking you closer to the top of the mountain. Some may only be wide enough for one vehicle while others may allow two or more.
Take the Pacific Coast Highway
The famous California landmark you can reach by car is the very popular Hollywood sign. This was not an easy feat to do, as there are many ways to get here!
The Hollywood sign gets quite a lot of attention due to its beautiful view. However, what most people don’t know is that it took years for someone to figure out how to access this scenic beauty.
In fact, getting to the Hollywood sign has been a long process with several different routes. It wasn’t until the 1980s when people really started exploring these possibilities.
Now, lots of people live near the highway so going down the more difficult roads isn’t too appealing.
Take a helicopter
If you have a car, that is definitely your best bet for getting to the Hollywood sign in person. However, there are some ways to get around this by taking more creative routes or using other modes of transportation. One of these is taking a helicopter tour!
A number of companies offer tours to the Hollywood sign from either Los Angeles or nearby airports like Santa Monica. These flights typically cost between $300-$400 per person depending on how many people are included in the ticket and what time of day it is.
Tours usually take anywhere form one hour to close to two hours and include entrance into the famous area during sunset when the view is at its very best. A good way to do this is to arrive early enough so that you can check out all of the beautiful areas before the flight takes off!
These types of trips are incredible experiences that give you a taste of what flying is really like. For only a few hundred dollars, you will be able to experience something spectacular and unique every year.
Take a boat
The best way to see the famous Hollywood sign is via boat tour. There are many companies that offer this, so do some research and compare prices and tours before picking which one you want to go with. Some give you more in-depth information about the area while others may just take you through the motions quickly.
There are two main types of boat tours: sightseeing or adventure tour packages. Sightseeing tours typically cost around $30-$40 per person whereas an adventure tour will be slightly higher, usually around $50-$60 per person. Both have their pros and cons depending on your budget and level of desire for additional activities.
Sightseeing boat tours normally include traveling along the beach, past the pier where most boats start and end their trips, and then up towards the Hollywood sign. Sometimes there are also short stops at other popular sights such as Griffith Park, Bel Air, etc. An adventure tour takes you beyond the shoreline onto open water, sometimes even out into the ocean! More active things can be done during these times like swimming, kayaking, surfing, standup paddleboarding (SUP), or sailing.
Some sites recommend doing both a sightseeing and an adventure tour but this depends on how long you plan to spend here. We would suggest only going on one type unless you really wanted to do both.
Take a bus
The best way to get around Los Angeles is by public transit. There are many different types of buses in the city, with some running on diesel and others running on cleaner fuel.
Some common routes include the #101 Santa Monica Boulevard/Vermont Avenue Station to Griffith Observatory route, or the #62nd Street Shuttle that goes from USC to Downtown via Figueroa Street and Olympic Boulevard.
There you can transfer to the Metro Red Line at Union Station! If you’re going up the coast, there’s the #134 Pacific Coast Highway Route which takes you all along the beach and through Malibu. For more information about these routes and how to use them, visit your local MTA website or call 1-800-METROINFO (63883).
Ride a horse
This is not very practical for most people, but if you are really passionate about taking pictures of the California landscape or just wanting to say that you rode through the area on horses, then this is allowed under the rules.
There is an informal rule at The State Park where you can ride off-road in areas with no facilities available. People do it all the time during summer weekends when there’s a music festival or large gathering nearby.
If you have your own horse (or ponies!), this is totally acceptable way to get close to the sign. Horses need to be trained and ridden properly though, so make sure to check out our article: Tips For Training A Horse Before Riding Them On Public Lands!
And remember, even if you don’t own a horse, you can hire one from a local ranch or stable and enjoy some beautiful scenery while still getting those cool photos.
Take the funicular
The other option is taking the Funicula Turistica di Panorama, also known as the “little train” or the 'cable car' to reach the top of Mount Rose. This costs about $15 per person for one-way travel (buses are not permitted due to safety concerns).
The little train leaves from an area called Villa Lesena, just west of Highway 101 in Orange County. There you can find refreshments and snacks, but make sure to bring your own unless you have already purchased them!
Once at the top, there are great views of both Los Angeles and surrounding areas including Santa Monica, San Diego, Catalina Island, Palos Verdes Peninsula, and more.
Take the Griffith Park funicular
The Griffith Park Funicular is one of the most popular attractions in Los Angeles. It is also one of the most expensive! This article will talk you through how to get to the studio for free via your feet.
The funicular was first opened back in June 1925, making it one of the oldest operating funiculars in California. Since then, it has carried over 3 million passengers - that’s more than half a billion individual journeys!
It costs $8 per person to ride the funicular but this article will show you how to get there for free. All you have to do is know where to look and when to go!
If you love nature, hiking or taking pictures outside then the Studio City area is perfect for you.
Visit the sign
The best way to see the famous Hollywood sign is via organized tour. There are many companies that offer this, but your choice will depend on what kind of experience you want. Some have open air vehicles while others give you more in-depth tours with professional photography and filming opportunities.
Some of these tour companies only take around five or six people at a time so make sure to call and confirm if this is an option for you!
Many of these tours start off in Los Angeles before driving up into the surrounding area. This gives you time to explore the city before heading out onto some really nice roads.