Hollywood Sign Fire? What’s Really Happening + Best Places to See It in LA

Contrary to internet rumors, the Hollywood sign on the south side of Mount Lee in Griffith Park was not damaged during the recent Los Angeles wildfires. Not surprisingly, social media hacks with too much time on their hands posted numerous fake images of the sign on fire. But thankfully, their artistic endeavors weren’t real, as the sign, maintained and repaired as needed by the Hollywood Sign Trust, is safe and sound.

As a precaution, local authorities closed Griffith Park so that if the Sunset Fire, the closest to the sign, did threaten the sign and surrounding area. Luckily, the fire was contained and never posed a threat according to the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Park Rangers, all of which monitor the park, and sign, from various perspectives.

What Did the Fake Posts Say?

As we all know, social media pranksters can be incredibly creative, or downright odd. Some postings on Facebook and Instagram even showed the sign and grassy areas surrounding it in flames. Check out these posts that surfaced during the fires:

There was also no shortage of fake images posted on X/Twitter which made use of the site’s AI chat box named Grok. While the Sunset Fire never got closer than two miles from the Hollywood sign, using AI, fire images could be moved to appear as if they were adjacent to it. In reality, the Sunset Fire, which was burning for days above Hollywood Boulevard and the world-famous Walk of Fame never got close to threatening the sign.

History of the Hollywood Sign

Did you know that the Hollywood sign was erected in 1923, cost $21,000 to build, and was actually seen as a billboard for “Hollywoodland”, a prestigious real estate development envisioned by the Los Angeles Times publisher, Harry Chandler? It didn’t take long for the sign to be representative of so much more.

Hollywood was evolving as the heart of the movie industry in the 1920s, with a lifestyle all its own. The sign was seen to be saying “this is the place” that aspiring performers belonged, and the rest is history.

As for Hollywoodland, the upscale development began constructing elaborate homes in March of 2023. By the summer more than 200 construction workers were employed and more than seven miles of what would become roadway was cut through the existing forested hillside.

The original Hollywood sign advertised the project around the clock and was electrified with thousands of lights to be easily seen at night. Historical writings show that large light boxes were created to spell out the massive letters and illuminate the sign. Surprisingly, today’s sign is not night-lit, so can only be seen during daylight hours.

So how did the sign’s builders assemble the 13 letters more than a century ago given that each letter was 30 feet wide and 43 feet tall? It wasn’t easy, that much is a given. A frame was designed by utilizing scaffolding, pipes, wires, and even telephone poles. This held together the 3-foot by 9-foot metal squares that made up the sign. Keep in mind that there was no roadway to where the sign was being placed, so the entire contraption had to be dragged up the quite steep Mount Lee by workers traveling on extremely basic dirt paths.

For those who may be wondering, Hollywood is a neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles, locally centrally in Los Angeles County. Also known as “Tinseltown”, the city was officially established in 1910. Hollywood’s name came from Daeida Wilcox after her husband bought 120 acres in the area in February of 1887. She said when asked, “I chose the name Hollywood simply because it sounds nice and because I’m superstitious and holly brings good luck”.

The original Hollywood sign was home to 4,000 20-watt bulbs that were spaced eight inches apart. To make the sign stand out, an enormous white dot was constructed to be displayed at the end of the name. The dot alone had an astounding diameter of 35 feet!

When the Hollywood sign was installed and turned on it first lit the word “Holly”, then “wood”, and lastly “land”. The sign was so incredible for the times that everyone had to see it. The plan by the home developer was for the sign to remain for about 18 months. More than 80 years later it continues to be a must-see for visitors from around the world.

Where are the Best Places to View the Hollywood Sign?

Without hiking:

As you might expect, the closer you get the better the views of the Hollywood sign. The trails below are open from sun-up to sundown, are well marked and quite popular. They will also afford plenty of viewpoints for fabulous selfies.

With hiking:

There’s More to Do Near the Hollywood Sign

You’ve made the time to travel to Hollywood and have now seen the sign high on the Mount Lee and you are wondering, what else is there to do around here, especially if you have decided to see the sign from a distance and not hike closer, freeing up time for other activities?

In addition to the park itself, the Griffith Observatory is definitely worth a visit. Located 1,134 feet above sea level on the slope of Mount Hollywood, more than 60 exhibits about astronomy will fascinate visitors of any age. The planetarium offers insights into the universe that will leave you thinking about earth’s place in the solar system and universe for days to come. The Observatory is not only one of the best vantage points to see the Hollywood sign but also open until 10 p.m. most nights for late in the day visits. Best of all, admission and parking is free.

Also, in Griffith Park is The Greek Theatre, an outdoor music amphitheater that is home to live performances throughout the year. This exceedingly popular venue runs the gamut from famous performers to local acts and is known for excellent sound no matter where you are seated (or standing). Be aware, however, that parking can be a hassle utilizing the required park and ride shuttle. It’s best to arrive early to avoid the crowds that often come late. Additionally, it is widely agreed that this is not the place to expect reasonable food and drink prices. Eating before or after the show will save a boatload of money.

Warner Bros. Studios and Universal Studios Hollywood are both just minutes from the northwest corner of Griffith Park and make for a fun and very full day along with seeing the Hollywood sign. Approximately one-hour long guided tours are offered by both studios, with options for longer tours and admission to the Universal Studios Theme Park also available.

Two iconic Los Angeles neighborhoods, Los Feliz and Silver Lake, are both just south of Griffith Park. There buzzing areas are jammed with trendy boutiques, eclectic dining options, as well as art galleries and other cultural venues.

Come for the Sign. Stay for the Action.

A bustling city with a vibe unlike any other, Los Angeles/Hollywood offers so much for vacationers that you can’t possibly cover it all in one visit. For this trip, with a visit to the Hollywood sign a must, there are endless activities nearby that you will want to explore.

At Travelated you can choose from more than 200 hotels in the heart of the action or a short drive away, perhaps in a less energetic locale. Whether you plan to live it up at a 5-star resort or are seeking a moderate hotel for a family getaway, we have the right properties at the right prices to make for a memorable stay.

See for yourself why the Golden State is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world.