Seeing the Hollywood Sign is one of those classic Los Angeles experiences that sounds simple until you actually start looking for the best place to see it.
The famous letters sit high in the Hollywood Hills, but you do not need to hike all the way up to them to get a great view.
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From easy roadside viewpoints to parks, hiking trails and famous LA landmarks, there are several ways to see the sign from different angles.
Here are some of the best places to get a Hollywood Sign view in Los Angeles.
Griffith Observatory
If you want one of the most recognizable views of the Hollywood Sign, start at Griffith Observatory.
The observatory sits high above Los Angeles and gives you a wide view across the city, with the Hollywood Sign visible on the hillside behind it.
It is not the closest view of the letters, but the combination of the sign, Hollywood Hills and huge LA skyline makes it one of the best overall viewpoints.
It is also easy to combine with a visit to the observatory and Griffith Park.
Lake Hollywood Park
For a much closer look, head to Lake Hollywood Park.
The park sits beneath the Hollywood Sign and gives you a dramatic perspective looking up toward the letters.
This is one of the easiest options if your main goal is to get a photograph with the sign filling a large part of the background.
It is also considerably less demanding than hiking into the Hollywood Hills.
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Hollywood Reservoir
The Hollywood Reservoir offers another excellent perspective, particularly if you want something different from the standard tourist photograph.
The walking trail around the reservoir gives you views toward the Hollywood Hills, with the sign sitting above the trees and surrounding landscape.
It is a particularly good choice if you want to spend some time walking rather than simply stopping for a photograph.
The route is also relatively flat compared with many of the hikes in the hills.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame
You will not get the biggest or closest Hollywood Sign view from the Walk of Fame, but it can still be a fun way to combine two of LA's most famous attractions.
On clear days, you can spot the sign from parts of Hollywood Boulevard, although buildings and the surrounding hills can make the view less consistent.
If you are already visiting the Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre and Walk of Fame, look toward the hills rather than assuming the sign will be directly in front of you.
Griffith Park hiking trails
If you are willing to walk, Griffith Park has some of the best opportunities to see the sign from different angles.
Trails around Mount Hollywood and the surrounding hills can give you increasingly elevated views of the letters and Los Angeles below.
The exact view changes depending on the trail and conditions, so part of the fun is discovering different perspectives as you go.
Bring water, wear suitable shoes and avoid treating a Hollywood Hills hike like a casual stroll, particularly during hot weather.
Runyon Canyon
Runyon Canyon is another popular option for people who want to combine a Hollywood Sign view with a workout.
The higher you climb, the more expansive the views across Los Angeles become.
The sign is not always the dominant feature from every point on the trail, but the surrounding scenery makes the hike worthwhile in its own right.
It is also a good option if you are staying around Hollywood or West Hollywood and want something relatively close by.
The Hollywood Sign from Mulholland Drive
Mulholland Drive provides several opportunities to look across the Hollywood Hills toward the sign.
One of the advantages is that you can combine the search for a view with a drive through one of Los Angeles' most famous roads.
Views can vary depending on exactly where you stop, the direction you are traveling and the weather, so do not expect every overlook to provide the same photograph.
The road itself is part of the experience.
Wisdom Tree and the Hollywood Sign trails
For hikers who want to get much closer to the sign, the trails around the Hollywood Sign provide a completely different experience.
The Wisdom Tree is particularly famous among hikers and photographers, with the trail leading to elevated views over the city and Hollywood Hills.
The routes can be steep and exposed in places, so this is better suited to people who actually want a hike rather than visitors simply looking for a quick photograph.
You should also follow posted trail restrictions and stay on designated routes rather than attempting to reach restricted areas around the sign itself.
So where is the best Hollywood Sign view?
If you want the easiest close-up view, Lake Hollywood Park is one of the strongest choices.
For the best combination of the Hollywood Sign and Los Angeles skyline, Griffith Observatory is hard to beat.
If you want to make a day of it, the Griffith Park and Hollywood Hills trails offer the most adventurous experience.
And if you are already sightseeing around Hollywood, simply keeping an eye on the hills can produce some surprisingly good views without needing to plan a separate trip.
The Hollywood Sign is one of those LA landmarks that looks different from almost every angle, which is exactly why it is worth seeing more than once.
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