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Hollywood Sign hike and viewpoints

The best Hollywood Sign hikes and viewpoints

The three official trails, the free viewpoints, guided hikes to the front and back of the sign and city tours with a sign stop: here is how to see the Hollywood Sign, with honest advice on how long the hike really is, getting there, and whether a paid tour is worth it.

By the Things to Do in Los Angeles editorial team 4 tours compared Prices checked 22 October 2026

See our 4 picks
The dry hills of Griffith Park, with the Hollywood Sign small on Mount Lee far behind

Short answer You can see the Hollywood Sign for free from Griffith Observatory or from Hollywood Boulevard at Highland Avenue, or hike to a viewpoint above and behind it. The official trails are 3 to 6 miles and take about 1.75 to 2.75 hours. You can't touch the sign: it is fenced and watched by cameras. A guided hike from €30 takes you to views of both the front and the back.

Our 4 picks for the Hollywood Sign

Two guided hikes first, then two city tours that add a sign stop to Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

Hollywood Sign hikes and tours compared

Hollywood Sign hikes and tours compared
Tour From Duration Group size Pickup Free cancellation Who it suits Why we picked it
Guided Hollywood Sign hike, front and back 4.7 (516) €30
per person		 2.5 hours Private option available Meet on site Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Fit walkers who want the best views The most-reviewed sign hike: 4.7 from over 500 reviews, from €30.
Small-group city tour with the sign and Beverly Hills 4.9 (198) €79
per person		 5 hours Standard group: Up to 12 people Pickup included Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Visitors who want the sign without a hike The best-rated way to see the sign with no climb: 4.9 from almost 200 reviews.
Afternoon Hollywood and Beverly Hills tour with a short sign hike 4.9 (110) €78
per person		 4 hours Small group: Up to 8 people Meet on site Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Short walkers who still want a close view Rated 4.9 from 110 reviews, and the hike is short enough for most people.
Hollywood Sign adventure hike at sunset 4.4 (8) €31
per person		 2.5 hours Standard group: Up to 15 people Meet on site Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Strong hikers who like stories The longest hike here, with the most history; few reviews so far (4.4 from 8).

Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 22 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Where to see the Hollywood Sign: the best lookout points

The two official lookout points for the Hollywood Sign are Griffith Observatory and the Ovation Hollywood centre at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. Both are free. The sign sits on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills.

Griffith Observatory gives the clearer view and the city below. Ovation Hollywood is easier: it is at the Hollywood/Highland Metro stop, right on the Walk of Fame.

Hollywood Sign hike: the three official trails

Yes, you can hike up to the Hollywood Sign, but only to viewpoints above and behind it. The official site lists three trails. They are open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year.

  • Mt. Hollywood Trail: 5.3 miles, rated easy, about 2.5 hours.
  • Brush Canyon Trail: 6 miles, rated easy, about 2.75 hours.
  • Cahuenga Peak Trail: 3 miles, rated hard, about 1.75 hours.

Picking a Hollywood Sign hike trail

Take the Mt. Hollywood Trail if you also want Griffith Observatory. Take Cahuenga Peak if you are fit and short on time. Stay on the marked trails: the area around the sign is fenced, watched by cameras and closed to the public.

Runyon Canyon: a view hike, not the sign trail

Runyon Canyon is a popular park hike in the Hollywood Hills, but it is not one of the official sign trails. Hiking guides put its loop at about 2 to 3.5 miles, depending on the route.

Hollywood Sign tours: guided hike or a city tour?

A guided hike is the better pick if you want to get close. The front-and-back hike in our list shows you both sides of the sign in 2.5 hours. A city tour is better if you don't want to climb: you see the sign from a lookout and add Beverly Hills.

Want the sign plus Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive in one go? Our Hollywood tours guide compares the bus tours that do both.

Do you need Hollywood Sign tickets?

No. Seeing the sign is free, and the trails are free too. You only pay if you book a guided hike or a tour.

A short history of the sign

The Hollywood Sign was built in 1923. It first read "Hollywoodland" and was an ad for a new housing estate. It cost $21,000 and was meant to stand for only 18 months. Later the last four letters came down, and the sign became the one we know today.

Tips for your Hollywood Sign visit

  1. Start early

    The trails have little shade. A morning start is cooler, and the light on the sign is better.

  2. Bring more water than you think

    The official trails take 1.75 to 2.75 hours. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen.

  3. Use the bus to Griffith

    The DASH Observatory bus runs from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station to the observatory and the trails. It costs 50 cents.

  4. Check the cancellation line

    Most picks show free cancellation on their booking page. Check the exact cut-off there before you pay.

Hollywood Sign: questions and answers

How to hike to hollywood sign?
Pick one of the three official trails: Mt. Hollywood (5.3 miles), Brush Canyon (6 miles) or Cahuenga Peak (3 miles). They lead to viewpoints above and behind the sign. Or join a guided hike.

Can you hike to hollywood sign?
Yes, to viewpoints near it, but not to the letters. The sign is fenced and watched by cameras, and getting close to it or touching it is not allowed.

How long is hike to hollywood sign?
The official trails are 3 to 6 miles long and take about 1.75 to 2.75 hours. The guided front-and-back hike takes 2.5 hours.

Where hollywood sign?
The Hollywood Sign is on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, above the Hollywood neighbourhood.

Where to view hollywood sign?
The official viewpoints are Griffith Observatory and the Ovation Hollywood centre at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. Both are free.

When hollywood sign was built?
In 1923. It first read "Hollywoodland" and was an ad for a housing estate.

More Hollywood Sign hikes and tours, live

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More in Hollywood

Facts checked on 22 October 2026 against: Hollywood Sign, official site: viewpoints · Hollywood Sign, official site: hiking · Hollywood Sign, official site: FAQ · Hollywood Sign, official site: history · Hollywood Sign, official site: getting there · Hikespeak: Runyon Canyon hike.

Written by the Things to Do in Los Angeles editorial team.