A Los Angeles – based travel blogger’s guide to getting to the Hollywood sign hike. Step-by-step direction from the start of the Hollywood sign hiking trail.
While staying in Burbank, California — a fifteen minute drive to the Hollywood Sign, I FINALLY hiked to the back of the Hollywood sign.
A massive hike and confusing experience, I wrote a step-by-step guide for directions to the hike and through the trail to the actual sign.
In this post:
– How to get to the Hollywood Sign trail start.
– Things to know before heading off on your hike.
– What to pack for your hike to the Hollywood Sign.
– Park hours.
– Photos of the trail.
– Photos of the view from the top of the Hollywood sign.
Things to know before hiking to the Hollywood Sign:
There are multiple hikes to the Hollywood sign — this means that you can pick a route and accidentally take a different route down (getting lost on your return trip — like I did). The parks around the Hollywood sign are masssssive, so try going with a local or guide.
Parking on Beachwood Canyon is free– but there is no parking 8 am to 6 PM Saturdays and Sundays.
It gets a little cool around sunset, so bring a light sweater for later. Consider a flashlight for your walk down. A little music and a water bottle are must haves too.
The Hollywood sign is truly in the middle of the mountains, so I’m not joking about that sweater!
Park rules: no smoking or fires. The parking lot INSIDE of the park closes at 8 PM, so you’ll be hurrying down if you’re trying to catch sunset. I opted for a weekday evening off of Beachwood Canyon to dodge the run back.
Want beautiful photos?
If you’d like pictures like mine, check out my photography guides:
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The Ultimate Guide to iPhone Photography: Tips, Accessories, Features, Apps
The Ultimate Guide to GoPro Accessories + Tips
How to get to the Hollywood Hike:
I took a route suggested by Alyssa Ramos, that goes from Beachwood Drive and Franklin Drive.
Just Google where the two streets intersect on maps. Upon arrival to the entrance, you’ll see a security guard, and brown gate for Sunset Ranch. While you cannot drive through the gate, you are allowed to use the walk-in gate on the left. It’s open. Although a private property, it is free and open to the public.
When you see the white letters SUNSET RANCH, go up the path on the right (you could easily go straight with a slight bend to the left, that is NOT the route).
At the fork, make a left.
Keep going up the path until you see it curve.
When you see the Horseback Tours sign, go past it (not down its custom trail). Continue the route.
There is a rest spot there where you can see the Hollywood sign from below. I believe this is as close as you can get to the Hollywood sign without getting behind it.
Take a break and a snap.
When you get back on the path, go left at the fork. This almost looks like you’re looping backward. Continue on this path towards the Hollywood sign.
You’ll eventually hit another fork with a paved road. Take the paved road all the way up. You’ll be in this section for the longest time. The path wraps up right and away from the Hollywood sign, then loops back left — bringing you to the Hollywood sign through the back of the mountains.
Ta-da! You did it. Be sure to catch a photo with the American flag.
A view Los Angeles city from behind the Hollywood sign.
Worth the hike!
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S H O P
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Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have one quick question. I have been hearing a lot about some routes that are closed to tourists. And one of them is Beechwood Drive entrance. I was wondering if you know anything about that.
Thanks,
Fahad
Hi Fahad, I don’t know if has changed since I last wrote the article. It was open when I went this spring.
You know I came to Los Angeles last April 2016. It was a wonderful trip. However, we didn’t see the sign from this view. We always regret it. We will definitely follow this post next time. Thank you!
It gives you an excuse to come back!
DOING THIS! Thanks for the great directions. :)
Thanks for reading!
Ahh this is super helpful! I just got back to California, and need to do this before I go off traveling again. Thanks so much.
Thanks for the good directions–how long does it take to hike one way from Beechwood to the sign?
Great question. To be honest — I got lost AND I stopped frequently for photos. I can time it next time I do the hike, but I don’t have that information now.
We’re doing it today! Praying we don’t get lost haha will let you know how it goes!
Hi Stephanie, great post! thank you! I m going to LA in 4 weeks. That is why I m researching which hike is the best haha. Is the one you posted runyon canyon or griffith or another one?
It’s another one! Runyon Canyon and Griffith Observatory give you a distant view of the Hollywood Sign, while this one takes you too it (with a view on the way)
Of course, I saw your photo and read the blog post *after* I came back from my trip to L.A. I guess I’ll just have to go back soon and try to get this shot next time … Nevertheless, thank you for writing this up! And again, fantastic photo(s)! :-)
omg i love Los Angleles im going there in 3 months!! i cant wait!! and im going to meet my youtuber!!!!