How To Get To The Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Hills are some of the most famous hills in America. They’re known for their beautiful, lush greenery as well as some of the highest quality real estate that has been marketed to the rich and elite.
But did you know there is actually an easy way to get up into the Hollywood Hills? You can take public transportation!
Getting to the top of the hill isn’t difficult if your destination is Griffith Observatory or South Shore Train Station.
Take the Griffith Park Boulevard exit
If you are looking for some fun activities in Southern California, then visiting the famous Hollywood sign is one of them! The best way to get there is by taking the Griffith Park Boulevard Exit off the Interstate 5 South bound highway in Los Angeles.
That way you do not have to go through any other surrounding areas or highways that can be tricky to navigate. There are also many buses that run along this route making it easy to access the site.
Some must know information about the Hollywood sign include the fact that parking is expensive so make sure to leave enough time to find a spot before heading down. You should also know that due to over crowding it may take longer than expected to enter the park, so keep an eye out for open spaces.
Take the western side of the park
The west entrance into Griffith Park is via Riverside Drive, just make sure you are allowed to enter here before trying to access the sign!
Griffith Park is a beautiful 1.2 million acre (0.5 million hectares) national forest and public space in Southern California. It is home to many interesting features including the famous Hollywood Sign that was made popular by the movie Endless Love.
The Hollywood Sign itself is not an actual building but instead a billboard with the word “Hollywood” written in large letters. This however does not prevent people from taking pictures under this name or photographing it for their own use.
There have been instances where photographers were fined for using the term ‘Signs’ as part of the title or even being convicted of trespassing. However, these fines are very expensive and some say they go up quickly due to legal fees.
So how can you take photos at the Hollywood Sign without getting into trouble? Here we will discuss some tips and tricks for taking great pictures of the Hollywood Sign within the law!
Disclaimer: I am no lawyer so please be careful about what you do if you think you know more than me. Legal action could potentially result in penalties towards yourself or others. You should always check your local laws first and abide by them.
Getting permission
If you would like to take photos at the Hollywood Sign you must get permission first.
Take the eastern side of the park
There are three main routes you can take to reach the iconic Hollywood sign from Griffith Park. All begin at Château Marmont, one of the most well-known hotels in LA.
The best way to get to the Hollywood sign is by taking the east side entrance of Griffith Park. This is your safest option as there are very few cars that enter here via Sunset Boulevard.
There are also only five exits off this road which makes it safer for other travellers. The highway exit is already paid for so you don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to stay or eat once you arrive!
Alternatively, you can take the Franklin Avenue route or the Vermont Avenue route. Both of these start just outside Chateau Marmont but require you to cross under busy roads before reaching the Hollywood sign. These aren’t ideal if you like some extra space around you.
Take the famous walk
The best way to get to the Hollywood sign is by taking the well-known hike or stroll up Mulholland Drive in California. This is not only because it’s very beautiful, but also because there are many things you can see along this road!
You will pass several restaurants and hotels that are great for stopping for lunch or rest before heading down into Los Angeles. There you will find movie studios, beach areas, and more of the famous Hollywood scenery.
If you're traveling with kids, check out some of these attractions like Grand View Point and Griffith Observatory. Both offer wonderful views and experiences that are worth your time.
Ride a bus
There are many different buses that take you all over Los Angeles. Some only run during certain times, while others have limited number of stops. The best way to use these buses is by riding them frequently!
Many cities offer special pass programs for local attractions or museums. Check your city’s tourism website to see if there are any such passes available for the Hollywood Sign.
You can also visit the websites listed in our article about how to spend an afternoon in LA like and subscribe to learn more about their services. Many provide coupons as well which can be saved for later!
Once again, ride public transportation when possible! The cost per person is usually much lower than taking the car route.
Take the Metro
The easiest way to get to the Hollywood sign is by taking the Metrolink or light rail train, then transferring to the famous Red Line that takes you up Mulholland Highway towards the hill where the Hollywood sign can be seen.
Both of these trains have frequent service throughout the day! They are also cost-effective ways to travel as they are paid for through fares and there are usually coupons available online or at the station.
A great tip if traveling during busy times is to purchase your ticket using PayPal so that you do not need to pay in person immediately after buying it. You will still be able to since this is an internet transaction but spending the extra couple dollars saved time because you did not have to go into a store right away to buy it!
Another option is take the bus instead of the train. There are many different routes when traveling from Pasadena to the beach area so make sure to check out the schedule before heading out.
Visit during the day
The best way to visit the Hollywood sign is in the early morning or late afternoon, when there are less people.
Both times of visits are excellent because it’s not very crowded then. Plus, you can enjoy the view more clearly without having to stand next to lots of other people.
If you do decide to come at night, make sure your camera has good quality sun protection because that will matter later!
We recommend coming between 8 AM and 11AM and 3PM to 5PM due to the ease of access. You can reach most major roads via car which makes getting around easy.
Bring sunglasses and sunscreen
The best way to get to the Hollywood sign is via the Griffith Park Observatory. You can take bus number 210 from anywhere in Los Angeles! Or you can take the Gold Line train, which runs along the same route. Both of these will cost around $2-3 depending on where you are traveling from in L.A.
If you’re coming down from the hills or going back up towards the mountains, there is often free shuttles that run between the two. Check out your local news for more information!
Some people choose to drive themselves since it’s close by but very expensive if you don’t have your own car.