The Best Places to Photograph The Hollwood Sign

However, The best place to see the Hollywood Sign depends on what you want in your shot. If you want a picture from behind the sign, with Los Angeles below, you’ll need to hike to the summit of Mt. Lee.

If you want a picture of the sign from the front, you’ll need to look for another spot. My favorite viewpoint for the front of the sign is from Griffith Observatory, which is also easy to access by public transport. 

For a unique take on the Hollywood Sign picture, head to Lake Hollywood, where you can get a shot of the sign with a beautiful reservoir in the foreground.

I love the contrast between the famous man-made sign and the natural surroundings here.

Griffith Observatory is an iconic Los Angeles landmark in its own right, and worth visiting for its planetarium, exhibits, and special events. 

You’ll also get spectacular views of the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory as a bonus.

The easiest way to get to the Griffith Observatory is to take the LADOT DASH Observatory Bus from Vermont/Sunset station.

This bus, which costs just 50 cents per ride, also stops at Mt. Hollywood Drive for Griffith Park hiking trails at the Greek Theater. Bring exact change.

Parking is available for free before noon on weekdays in the small Griffith Observatory parking lot, but you’ll need a credit card to pay for parking in the afternoons or on the weekend.

Location: 3160 Canyon Lake Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Lake Hollywood Park is a scenic, grassy area below the Hollywood Sign that offers a great view of the letters. The park itself is dog-friendly and has a children’s play area, plus picnic benches.

There’s no parking lot here, but street parking is available. Although like street parking everywhere in this city, you may find it hard to locate a spot. 

Fortunately, it’s easy to organize an Uber or Lyft to get here. After Griffith Observatory, this is my second favorite spot to photograph the Hollywood Sign.

This is one of the easiest places to get a shot of the Hollywood Sign, especially if you have young children, as they can safely run around while you get the perfect shot. 

However, this is used locally as an off-leash dog park so bear that in mind if your kids are afraid of dogs.

Mulholland Hwy

Location: 6101 Mulholland Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 90068

The Beachwood Canyon neighborhood directly below the Hollywood Sign has plenty of good viewpoints for the sign. The last house on Mulholland has the best vantage point. 

The drawback is finding parking here without getting a ticket, a telling-off, or towed. 

Residents here really don’t like tourists blocking up their driveways, taking up street parking, and generally being tourists. 

Pay close attention to street parking signs, or better yet, get an Uber or Lyft to this location to avoid any parking hassles.

Location: Beachwood and Glen Holly intersection, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Another good Beachwood Canyon vista point is at the intersection of North Beachwood Drive and Glen Holly Street. 

If you walk up a block or so, you should be able to find a clear view through the houses.

Highland Avenue

Location: Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue intersection, Los Angeles, CA 90068

You can find interesting views of the Hollywood Sign right in the heart of Hollywood itself at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. 

The Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and the Dolby Theater where the Oscars are hosted are all a stone’s throw from this popular tourist destination.

Sunset Ranch Hollywood

Location: 3400 N Beachwood Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Many of the trails around the Hollywood Sign are closed at sunset, which is frustrating if you want to get that sunset sign shot and see the city light up below. 

The best way around this is to book an evening horseback tour from Los Angeles’ only horse ranch, Sunset Ranch Hollywood.

Beginners are welcome on the two-hour evening or day tours, which take riders along the trails through Griffith Park below the Hollywood Sign. 

Don’t try to go through the gate if you don’t have a tour booked through Sunset Ranch, as the company blocked this cut-through to Griffith Park with court action a few years ago.

Franklin Avenue at Gower

Location: N Gower St. and Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90068

If you’re looking for a picture of the sign from a palm-lined street, Frankin Avenue at the intersection with Gower gives you a good view of the sign. 

The utility wires lining the street either spoil the shot or add urban grittiness to the scene, depending on your perspective

Mulholland Drive Overlook

Location: 8591 Mulholland Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Confusingly, Mulholland Drive and Mulholland Highway are two different roads and both are good places to see the Hollywood Sign. 

There’s an overlook on Mulholland Drive with a few parking spaces where you can see the sign as well as take pictures of the city below.

This is a great spot to see Los Angeles at night when the city lights up.