The Hollywood sign is an icon, not only for movie lovers, but for those who have come to the West seeking their dreams. Such a simple attraction, and yet for someone first arriving in Hollywood it is a moment unlike any other to see those letters up on that hill. Unfortunately for those who are only visiting the area they will not be able to look up into the hills and see it anytime they wish. Therefore it is a must to capture the lettering on film. Here are some suggestions for shutterbugs on where they can get good angles and see the sign for a good photo. It is actually illegal to go anywhere near the sign itself which is protected on Mt. Lee Perch.
1. The Hollywood and Highland center
The Hollywood and Highland center is a complex of grand restaurants and shopping establishments. The center connects to the Kodak theater, where the Academy Awards are presented, as well as the famous Mann’s Chinese Theatre. Hollywood and Highland was designed with having the Hollywood sign in view the entire time. The gates work almost as a frame for a picture perfect view of the sign, and there is even a “casting couch” set up, on which people may pose with the sign in the background.
Hollywood & Highland is located on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue.
The public parking entry is on Highland, just north of Hollywood Blvd. It is one of the hot spots for tourists to visit, because not only will you get many great photo ops with the Hollywood sign, but walking the streets you’ll find movie character mascots and odd street performers all over the place. Hollywood and Highland can also be reached via Metro Rail Red Line, or by taking the Highland Ave exit from the 101 highway.
2. Beachwood Canyon Drive
Tourists tend to be caught standing in the middle of this street every single day getting their photo taken with the Hollywood sign. Beachwood Canyon drive is the road that travels up into the Hollywood Hills, and as you go North on the road you will be provided with view after view of the sign.
3.Gower Boulevard
This street is considered to have some of the better photo opportunities in a similar manner as Beachwood Canyon Drive does. However, on Gower you will want to be heading South to capture your images.
Of course all three of those might be inferior in comparison to if you happen to have the chance to fly by the sign in a helicopter.
Honestly, The Hollywood sign is visible from too many locations to really list, though the three provided are the most popular, as well as being safe and legal locations. One doesn’t want to cross the park rangers and accidentally try snapping photos in a location in which you might have accidentally leaped over a security fence or disabled a motion sensor alarm. One other way I do not suggest seeing the Hollywood sign for the first time and trying to take a picture of it is via a moving and crowded greyhound bus. Yes, this is from personal experience, and it isn’t just that the photo might not come out too clear, but rather riding Greyhound buses is a non-pleasurable experience overall, if you’re going far that is.
