[Editor's Note: Before I began my mission I needed to do my own research on the Internet. There were plenty of web sites out
there telling me how to do this, but some of those were a little vague and confusing. I took the information I
got and went to visit the sign myself. This is my experience and I owe it all to the good folks on the web!]
OK, off we go!
Before you make this trip let me tell you some things about the hike. You will be hiking uphill for about an
hour (or at least it felt that long). It's about a 1 mile hike up to the sign, maybe a little more. Kids under 12
may complain about the hike and not want to do it, leaving you frustrated when you have to return to your car. The
hike really isn't that bad, it just takes a while to get there. If they REALLY want to see the sign then definitely
take them. This hike is not dangerous and it is on a paved road. They have probably hiked something like this already
in Cub Scouts. Bring tennis shoes, sunscreen and plenty of water.
This is how you get there. Drive north on N Beachwood Dr. for about 1.5 miles.
Map
Make a left on Ledgewood Dr which will take you to a 5 way intersection. Go straight but veer left and continue
to drive up Ledgewood Dr. Make a hard right onto Rockcliff Dr and continue to drive up.
Map
Once the road stops, make a left onto Deronda Dr. and continue to drive until the road ends at the Gate (Key Access).
Map
Congratulations.... this is where the road ends for your car. It's walking time from now on!!
OK, here's where it gets fun, I hope you brought your hiking shoes, water, sunscreen and camera! You are now standing
on a semi-paved road and this will lead you to the sign. Just "follow the semi-paved road."
Once you get to the fork in the road after about a half mile, take the road to the left and go up the hill. This is where
it gets steep. If you take the dirt road to the right, this will lead you away from the sign. Continue the hike up the
steep road for another 30 mins and you will FINALLY see the BACK of the Hollywood sign. Bust out your cameras folks,
it's a view that most humans will never see!
You will also notice a locked gate and to the right of this is a cut-out under the fence where people have made their
way down to the sign itself. (This is what I took but we'll come back to that later) Continue to walk up the road and
you'll be greeted by huge communication towers and if you make a left you can go up a little further to the top of the
mountain. Hopefully it will be a clear day so you can bust out your camera and get some awesome pictures!
If you choose to make it to the sign, beware of the cameras and LAPD helicopters flying over.
For those of you who are skeptics, let me tell you something. I have seen these helicopters twice... once when I got out
of my car and once when I made myself back up the hill from touching the sign. Believe me when I say the LAPD do fly
to check things out! You will probably see them when you are there. If you decide to go down to the sign, get in and
get out!
If you make it under the fence there is about a 200' hike down a trail that leads you to the H. Be careful, this
trail isn't the best and you may have to scoot yourself on your butt a few times to get down there. Do not go after a rain
as it may be kinda slippery. Once you make it to the sign you will be between the H and the O. You will see that these
letters are massive! Here is how big a 6' man is next to the letters. Look.
If you look over behind the O you will notice a siren at the far
end and right above your head you'll notice that a camera and motion detector are
pointing right at your face! Yikes! You might as well wave... because folks... you are on TV! At this point there's no
turning back. Touch the sign, get some awesome pictures "cheese" and get out before the
helicopters return! (Oh, the memories)
When I returned up the hill and got back on the legal side of the fence I was greeted by a LAPD helicopter and 3 police
units from LA's finest city. I was arrested and booked in jail for 3 days! Just kidding folks! I was happy to say that
even tho' I was down there for 10 minutes, I made it back up to the top with no problems at all! So like an idiot... I
did it again! This time I was able to get some video. If you do make it to the sign, please respect it. Don't smoke,
write, litter or damage any part of the sign or the surrounding area. If the police really wanted to get you they would.
Police helicopters do not give up!
If asked if I would do it again I would definitely say "NO." "Been there done that" and I wouldn't make that long uphill
hike and chance being fined or jailed. Was it worth it? Hell yes!
Even if you don't plan on touching the sign you may want to take the hike anyway. It's a nice walk and would really be
something to see on a clear day. Oh, watch out for snakes! I saw one on the paved road but it was only a gardner.
Have a great time! Here I am below!
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