The original Hollywood Sign contained thousands of light
bulbs, which were changed daily by a caretaker who lived
in a small house behind one of the Hollywood Sign's giant
"L's."
Unfortunately, there is no easy way to reach the Hollywood
Sign itself, which is located atop an undeveloped hillside,
far from roads. And if you did manage to reach the area,
you would discover that the Sign has been fenced in to keep
out the curious, and that a new high-tech alarm system has
recently been installed.
The best way to see the Hollywood Sign is to drive up Beachwood
Drive (north of Hollywood Boulevard). The Sign is clearly
visible most the way up Beachwood, although the hills begin
to obscure the view of the Sign near the top of the drive.
If you don't want to drive up Beachwood, here are a few of
the other obvious places where you can easily spot the Hollywood
Sign on a clear day.
The Beverly Center Mall :
The Hollywood Sign can be seen when riding the exterior escalator
tubes on the mall's east side, or from the outdoor food court
patio on the mall's top floor.
The Hollywood (101) Freeway :
Drivers on the northbound freeway get a brief glimpse of the
Hollywood Sign in between the Santa Monica Boulevard exit
and the Sunset Boulevard exit.
The Hollywood Bowl :
The Hollywood sign can be seen behind the bowl - and a little
to the left - but only from the upper bleachers. The gate
at the Hollywood Memorial Cemetery (looking north), next door
to Paramount Studios.
The top of the hill at Barnsdall Art Park, on east Hollywood
Boulevard :
Look to the east of the Observatory.
The Griffith Park Observatory :
From its parking lot, look northwest.
Lake Hollywood :
The entrance is located on Weidlake Drive. |
