Lake Hollywood Park
Accessible. Flat, rollable lawn and sidewalk with a clear view. No restrooms on site. Accessible parking is limited — arrive early on a weekday.
Hollywood Sign
A simple, honest guide to seeing the Hollywood Sign up close — the best viewing points, free parking, and how to get there.
The best days to visit are Monday through Thursday, when visitor parking is welcome, abundant and free.
Close-Up Views
Four public viewpoints sit directly below the Sign, off Lake Hollywood Drive and Canyon Lake Drive. Tap any spot to open parking, accessibility, and directions.
Lake Hollywood Park
(easiest)
The spot
The most popular and most accessible close-up view. A wide grassy picnic lawn sits directly below the letters with a clear, front-on view — no hiking required. Hydration station on site.
Parking
Unrestricted multi-hour parking on the wide neighborhood streets Monday through Thursday. This is the easiest parking of any close-up spot. Free.
Accessibility
>>> Open in Google Maps
Accessible. The lawn and sidewalk are flat and rollable. No restrooms on site. Accessible parking is limited, so arrive early on a weekday.
Wheelchair accessible
Innsdale Trail
(short walk)
The spot
A short walking route and photo area near Lake Hollywood Park. About 5 minutes on foot reaches the Last House and Deronda vistas, and continues to the back of the Sign or toward Griffith Observatory.
Parking
Abundant free parking Monday through Thursday in the surrounding Lake Hollywood Estates streets.
Accessibility
>>> Open in Google Maps
Not accessible. The route is an unpaved trail with uneven footing and grade.
Not wheelchair accessible
The Last House on Mulholland
(closest)
The spot
The closest public pedestrian viewpoint, in front of the property at 6101 Mulholland Hwy. This is as near to the letters as public access allows.
Parking
Do not drive here to park — Mulholland north of Ledgewood Dr. is posted No Stopping, and nearby parking is very limited. Park at Innsdale Trail or in the Lake Hollywood Estates area (Mon–Thu) and walk in.
Accessibility
>>> Open in Google Maps
Not accessible. Reached on foot along the roadway with no accessible parking or path.
Not wheelchair accessible
Deronda View Platform
(photographers)
The spot
A well-known dirt platform popular with photographers, entered through the Griffith Park gate at the end of Deronda Dr. Sweeping city views. Trails to the back of the Sign and the Observatory begin here.
Parking
Very limited at the gate. Park in Lake Hollywood Estates or the Innsdale Trail area, Monday through Thursday, and walk over.
Accessibility
>>> Open in Google Maps
Not accessible. The platform is unpaved dirt reached by a graded walk.
Not wheelchair accessible
Reservoir Walking Loop
(the long view)
The spot
A paved loop around the Lake Hollywood Reservoir with calm water-and-Sign views from the Mulholland Dam. A relaxed alternative to the viewpoints — good for a longer walk that still keeps the Sign in frame.
Parking
Free roadside parking near the reservoir's north entrance (off Lake Hollywood Dr.) and near the dam. As always, easiest Monday through Thursday, and read the posted signs.
Good to know
>>> Open in Google Maps
Porta-potties are available at the reservoir north entrance — the only restrooms anywhere near these spots. The loop gates keep set hours, so plan the walk in daylight.
Far-Away Views
Prefer a classic, distant vantage — or just passing through? These spots show the Sign from farther off. No special parking guidance needed; each links to a map.
Griffith Observatory
The postcard hilltop view across the canyon, with the Sign framed on the ridge. Paid parking; busiest on weekends.
>>> MapHollywood Blvd
Glimpses of the Sign up the side streets while you walk the Walk of Fame. Easiest to reach by Metro B (Red) Line.
>>> MapMt. Hollywood Trail, Griffith Park
A moderate hike through Griffith Park with wide-open Sign and city views along the way. Trailheads near the Observatory and Fern Dell.
>>> MapParking Basics
Best time to visit
Monday through Thursday
Visitor parking IS allowed. It's free and unrestricted Monday through Thursday, and multi-hour parking is plentiful. Easiest of all in the Lake Hollywood Estates and Innsdale Trail areas.
Common restriction days
Friday, weekends, holidays
Visitor parking is NOT allowed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays — resident permit holders only. In the Lake Hollywood area, including Innsdale Trail, visitor parking is also prohibited on Fridays.
Getting Here
The viewpoints sit in a quiet hillside neighborhood on narrow, winding streets. Come the easy way, and be a good guest.
Driving
(recommended)
Primary route — Barham Blvd
From the 101 Freeway, exit Barham Blvd and go north a short distance to Lake Hollywood Drive. Follow Lake Hollywood Dr. as it winds up and over the hill, then down to Canyon Lake Drive and Lake Hollywood Park. This is the simplest approach and the one to use.
Alternate — Wonder View Dr.
Near the crest of Lake Hollywood Dr., Wonder View Drive is a narrow connector some drivers use. Fine if your map sends you that way, but Barham is the cleaner drive.
Alternate — Hollywoodland (east side)
You can also approach from Beachwood Dr. up through the Hollywoodland gates. Note that parking on this side is tighter and more restricted than the Lake Hollywood Estates streets — expect a harder time finding a legal spot.
Without a Car
(transit & rideshare)
Public transit
There's no bus that reaches the viewpoints directly. The closest option is the DASH Beachwood Canyon route into the neighborhood below the Sign, followed by a walk uphill. It's a real climb — plan accordingly.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft work well. Set your drop-off to Lake Hollywood Park or the Mulholland / Ledgewood intersection — drivers know these.
Heads up on the return
Cell signal is spotty up here. Arrange or request your ride back before you lose signal, or walk back toward a busier street to reconnect.
Accessibility
Access varies sharply between spots. Here's the honest picture for each.
Innsdale Trail
Not accessible. Unpaved trail with uneven footing and grade.
Last House on Mulholland
Not accessible. Reached on foot along the roadway; no accessible parking or path.
Deronda Platform
Not accessible. Unpaved dirt platform reached by a graded walk.
When to Visit
Daylight only. The Hollywood Sign is not lit, so it can't be seen after dark — even from the closest viewpoints. Come while there's light.
In summer, early mornings are best: the air is cool, the light is clean on the letters, and the streets are quietest. Pair a weekday morning with the Monday–Thursday parking window and you'll have the easiest possible visit.
Before You Go
- No restrooms at the viewpoints. The only facilities are porta-potties at the reservoir north entrance.
- Bring water. There's a hydration station at Lake Hollywood Park, but little shade anywhere.
- Spotty cell signal. Download directions and arrange your ride back before you head up.
- Dogs welcome on leash. Clean up after them and bring water for them too.
- No campers, buses, trucks or trailers. The streets are narrow — seriously, don't attempt it.
- Be a good guest. This is a residential neighborhood. Keep driveways and emergency access clear, and keep the noise down.
How to Read LA Street Signs...
Restrictions apply only on the days indicated.
Lake Hollywood / Innsdale Trail
This means — no permit required Monday through Thursday.
Parking is welcome. It's free, plentiful and allowed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Hollywoodland
This means — no permit required Monday through Friday.
Parking is generally quite limited and always much more difficult compared with the Lake Hollywood Estates neighborhood.
Visitor Note
Always read the posted street signs before parking. Campers, buses, trucks and trailers are NOT ALLOWED. Everyone stay away on Red Flag Days! (LAFD High Fire Alert). Parking rules can vary by block, day, and time. Be respectful of resident and emergency access. Enjoy your visit. And seriously, don't try to drive a camper or trailer up to any of the viewpoints.
No smoking anywhere.