Did I Touch The Hollywood Sign?
As I mentioned in my first post about going to California, one thing I wanted to do was try and touch the Hollywood sign. I knew going into it that they had a lot of security around it and that it was going to be difficult.
So did I do it? Unfortunately no I did not. I decided that it wasn’t worth getting arrested or falling down the side of the hill to my death. Here is an overview of the different approach options and why I decided again doing each of them.
Option #1: Hiking Up
The first approach option is to start below the Hollywood sign and go up. There is no fence in front of the sign so it would just be a matter of climbing up the side of the steep hill. This is by far the easiest approach but I have heard that coming down can be pretty damn difficult.
The downside is that the cameras would see you coming from a mile away and you would more than likely get busted. That’s the main reason why I decided not to try this approach. There is also limited parking since it is all a residential area and people have cars parked along every street which would also make it difficult. My girlfriend ended up staying in the car while I hopped out and took these pictures.
It’s also a lot further up the hill than it first looks due to the steepness. Here is a picture looking up:
Looking Up At The Sign
It is definitely doable and I have read a few blog posts of people that have done it from this direction. This would probably be the way I would do it if I ever decided to do it but I highly doubt it.
Option #2: Hike Down From The Top
The second option to get to the sign would be to hike to the top of Mt. Lee near the radio tower and then come down to the sign. There is a fence along the top but there are a few spots where people have pushed the fence back so you can slide underneath it.
Here’s a few pictures of what the sign looks like from the backside:
View Of LA From Behind The Hollywood Sign
What The Letters Look Like Up Close
It’s hard to tell from the first picture how steep the slope really is. It’s literally a class 4/5 climb that would be pretty damn difficult to navigate. A few people have mentioned that there are some ropes left from workers that make it easier to slide down but I did not see anything.
I decided this way would be the quickest but would also be the hardest. Not only would you have to worry about slipping down the side of the mountain, but there would be a pretty good chance that a cop would be waiting for you at the top. We managed to see three cops drive by us while hiking along one of the paths.
Option #3: Climb The Mountain Next To It
The final option to get to the sign would be to climb the adjacent mountain and then walk along the ridge to the Hollywood sign. This would be the safest way in terms of security since it would be much easier to sneak up on the sign. You would then be able to run back along the ridge if someone came down to get you. Since there are no roads on the mountain it would be really difficult for anyone to come get you.
The downside to this approach is that the mountain next to the sign is really fricken steep too. It would take a few hours just to navigate up that mountain and then another 30 minutes or so to get to the sign. You would then have to go and do it all over again on the way back. That is a lot of work!
I didn’t have the time or the motivation to try this approach either.
The Security
It is true that they have cameras all over Mt. Lee. They also have the dome style cameras you see in stores on some of the letters. Here is a picture of some of the cameras pointing towards the sign:
Cameras Pointing Right At The Sign
People weren’t lying when they mentioned the LAPD has cracked down on the Hollywood sign. It sure makes it difficult to actually get to it.
Conclusion
So my conclusion is that touching the sign is a lot more work than I anticipated. It looks like I am going to scratch this goal off the list since I got close enough to it. When it comes down to it, the sign is a few metal rods and some sheet metal. The letters are huge though!
Published on March 13th, 2009. And don't forget to check out my book, Life After the Cubicle.
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Booo! Booo!
::Throws rotten tomatoes at screen::
::Realizes Justin was not pelted by tomatoes but now monitor is ruined::
D’oh!
Well, I have to commend you for trying to touch the sign and for getting as close as you did. I lived in LA for a whole year and didn’t even bother checking out the sign, yet alone trying to touch it. So tip of my hat to you Justin.
Now if you’ll excuse me I have a monitor to clean.
All I can say is how the hell did you live in LA for a year? I was ready to get as far away as I could after two days. There is no where to park, the air quality is TERRIBLE, and the people were far from friendly.
Ahh it feels good to be back in Arizona…
Mostly because I was at USC (which was awesome), so I kinda had to stay there a year or end up losing credits etc.
But yeah, the air sucked big time and getting around was awful (especially coming from Boston where I could pretty much walk across the city). The people…well, I liked my friends at SC but for sure met my fair share of douchebags and “plastic people” who were more concerned about their image than genuinely interacting with the people around them. I don’t regret my time there but then and now state that LA is the worst city ever.
Yeah, vagabond, there were times when I could not see downtown LA from my dorm room, which I should have been able to see every day seeing as how it was only two miles away. I’ll take my clean but cold air here in Boston over LA any day.
You’re living the dream with the traveling – but I agree with you on LA. I don’t see how some of my friends can live there. When the plane comes in through the clouds, then a second layer of “clouds” that are smoggy…yeah, I just couldn’t do it. I’ll take Tampa any day of the week.
I tell you, the pictures you have put in here are great! I have never seen pictures of the sign taken from such close proximity and that too from different angles. Feels as though I was there and touched the signs!
You were able to see and that’s all that counts.
As close as those pictures are, I’m surprised you weren’t able to touch it. Look at it this way. At least you weren’t the guinea pig that found out they mounted defensive turrets on the letters
(just kidding). I never would have expected there to be that much security by that sign. Somethin you never think about
too bad you couldn’t touch it…
I was in LA last winter with my nephew who was desparate to see the Hollywood sign, take pictures and show his folks back in London, England. Belive it or not we couldnt see the sign from where we were staying near LAX airport and I had to do some research on the internet to find a good location to take pictures of it from. The location was a cemetry – I cant remember where exactly. I’ll try and find the pictures and upload them.
Well if you go at night it’s not actually that difficult. The hike from the hollybridge trail or something like that (starting at the mountain next to it)took only about 50 minutes totaly to get to the sign and right abover the “H” there is a hole under the fence you can crawl under. There’s a ditch/trail kind of thing leading down that leads straight inbetween the letters H and O which isn’t super difficult if you’re willing to crawl/scoot down and the cameras up on top of the mountain are blocked by the steepness of the trail. Be careful though because on the first O theres a camera and a motion dector… some red thing on the bottom of it so move slowly and don’t be freaked out by all the helicopters unless it actually spotlights you. Things to consider before going: Cons – getting dirty/helicopters/motion detectors/cameras/POLICE AND DOGS. Pros – thrill of touching something everyone wants to.
good luck!
I really enjoyed reading this, and I’m actually planning on attempting to touch it myself as well. I read about the Panasonic security system. Did i mention it was custom? ugh. It seems impossible..but I’m willing to give it a try. And hey, if i get arrested, at least I’ll have a good story to tell right?
HAHA!!! Ya!!!
I went up the day after Christmas at mid-day and followed the trail up top that led between the H and the O. I scooted down it with my friend, took a couple pics, touched the sign and ran back up ( maybe 5 minutes altogether) but totally worth the experience and the pics. I saw plenty of cameras but no cops or choppers.
weel i did it today.I went up to the sign.nobody spotted me .I am gonna do it next weekend but I did saw a cap on a hill …..
Ohh . .
very difficult go to hollywood sign . .
and i think its very dangerous . . .
one of my life goals to touch the hollywood sign is it possibe to beg the security guys to let you to touch the sign they can go there with me lolz i sooo want to do that!!!
I have hiked up from the bottom many times and no cops. From 2006- present I do it at least 2 times a year. hang out at the top for a bat and take pictures. Takes about 25 minutes to hike. dont let the websites scare you. YOU WONT GET IN TROUBLE!!!
can u accually get a tour guide and go up to it and touch it>? or atleast go up to it?
Dude your a pussy I touched the “H” this morning 7/10/10 I was trying to do a recon on it and got so close I just had too. it’s easy, the Hollywood security is designed to detect someone walking directly up to it or trying to climb the fence just above it I came in inside the fence line under the line of site. You have to be quite but if you come in from the tree you can flank them becarefull of the motion sensor on the “Y” which means come in between the H and the O
Damn it, now I need to go back there any try that approach. I figured it would be easier to come below the fence since most of the cameras are up at the top where people look down from.
It’s not an approach for the faint of heart Justin. And now that I’ve investigated a little about you I would just like to say sorry about the pussy comment I think you’ll make it just fine. Start from Wonder View Drive above Lake Hollywood, walk past the water tank you will see two paths, one that has a gate and leads you around to the valley side and than over the hill to the top. that’s the way I go for the hike, but if your looking for a more direct path take the second to the top of the ridge hike along the razor back to the peak over looking Mt. Lee follow that path and you will come in below the fence line you’ll still be in the line of site so move fast and quietly toward a drainage pipe and down the hill. The path is steep and rocky from the peak to Mt. Lee and when you get to the sign the dirt is loose and slippery take water with you you will need it. do not venture up the hill past the “O” or the motion sensor will get you. If you hear a beeping noise run like a rabbit. Oh and keep this in mind to all that venture to the sign, if caught they will not send you to jail they will simply write you a ticket and tell you to never do it again (yea right). After your success hike back along the razor back and instead of heading down right away venture just a little further to a tree, there you will find a book left there by another hiker by the name of Matt O’niel he left a note book there for all to write there comments and thoughts there you can record your victory. I will be hiking that trail next Sat. 7/17 Maybe I’ll see you there? Happy Hiking my friend, Oh don’t forget the sun screen.
Rick
Just a note in conclusion or a disclaimer, Do not go there if you plan to harm or deface this international landmark of Los Angeles take with you a profound respect for this place. Go there only to claim your bragging rights as a true Hiker and adventurer leave this place as you found it, Like you were never there. Remember the Hikers creed hike out your trash and above all make sure the trail looks as though no one was ever there.
Rick
I think we do very well. Top of Wonder View Drive above Lake Hollywood, past the water tower, you'll see two roads, one that has a door and takes you on the side of the valley and the summit of Mt. so I'm going to ride, but if you are seeking a direct route, take second in the early walk along the crest of the ridge back to shaving with a view to Mount Lee to follow this path and you arrive at by under the fence line that you are always in the line of site to go quickly and smoothly to a drain pipe and the bottom of the hill.
My wife and i recently hiked up on our honeymoon we only made it half way then a cop with a loudspeaker told us to get down as he was at the top! Gutted we hiked up the back way and the cop came down in his jeep and gave us a warning about trespassing,we are from scotland and told him we dont have trespassing laws! Got pretty close and great pics.
i hiked twice up to the sign before they had the fences and the dogs-i went straight up the hill to it,and it wasn’t too hard-lots of red ants etc tho-it was a hot day-you do need water…it was covered in graffitti in those days-spray graffitti-i thought it was a very very eerie spooky place….ok during the day,i went up at night time aswell,- we took the road off deronda that winds for miles to the radio station..behind the sign…but man it was spooky….hate to admit it,but i turned back…i got well spooked..someone told me it is haunted-i can believe that.cheers
nige.
I touched it, and peed on it too (just because I happened to have to go pee when i was actually there). I just hopped the fence from the top and went, with 2 friends.
We heard powerful mics telling us to get out of there, and that point we did hike back up and took off down the trail. there was a cop car further down who stopped us and we just spoke french to him, “no english sorry”, and good bye.
ps: i did this is 2000
i touched it , and dont even live in L.A.
I did touch the Hollywood Sign a number of years ago before they upgraded the security. I actually climbed up and sat in the second “O” and filmed the valley with a video camera. I don’t have any still photos since the film didn’t catch onto my take-up reel in the 335mm camera. I do have the video and close-ups of the sign as well as commentary from my friend while I was climbing around behind the letters.