The Sign getting a make over for its 90th anniversary courtesy of Sherwin Williams

The best views of the Hollywood Sign are not always the closest. The Sign is 45-feet tall, and thanks to its recent makeover the white letters pop against the green and brown backdrop of Mount Lee. Since it’s illegal to come close to the Sign–except from behind the Sign on the trails listed above–here are a few viewpoints that not only offer wonderful sight lines to the Sign but also fun Hollywood activities to fill up the day. But first…

Parking tickets in LA are expensive! Some of these locations are in residential areas, and local homeowners have become justifiably frustrated with the constant stream of visitors, resulting in frequent calls to parking enforcement officers. Please respect all road and parking signs. It’s cool to carpool or take public transportation to view the Sign. The canyon roads are windy and narrow; stopping at a “No Stopping” area or on a blind turn can cause accidents or roadblocks. And remember, it is extremely uncool to smoke or light a fire on the trails or at the viewpoints in this drought-stricken, wildfire-prone area. Thank you.

Hollywood and Highland, on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood, combines views of the Hollywood Sign with the glamour and fun of Hollywood itself. Visitors can peek at the Hollywood Sign while also scanning the Walk of Fame for their favorite celebrity–or see if the famous handprints at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater match their own. Make sure to head over to the Dolby Theater for a behind the scenes Academy Awards tour to see how the biggest night in Hollywood is produced. Click here for more information.

The Griffith Observatory provides excellent views of the city and the Sign. The Observatory also provides free parking, so people of all physical abilities can view the Sign and the city below. While the Observatory offers a bit of Hollywood history with iconic scenes from movies like Rebel without a Cause, a different type of star viewing is available in the planetarium shows and public telescope hours. Click here for more information.

Mulholland Drive has a specific viewpoint officially called the ‘Hollywood Bowl Overlook’ that offers a wonderful view of the Hollywood Sign complete with a historical placard. Plus driving Mulholland Drive is an LA experience in itself. Click here for more information on the overlook.