Hollywood Sign

Iconic white giant letters in the Hollywood Hills — erected in 1923 as a real estate advert, now the most recognised symbol of the film capital Los Angeles.

The Hollywood Sign in the Santa Monica Mountains above Los Angeles is one of the most recognised landmarks in the world. The white letters, each around 14 metres tall, stretch 137 metres across the slopes of the Hollywood Hills — together the sign weighs around 220 tonnes of steel. Originally erected in 1923 as an advertising hoarding for a real estate development called "Hollywoodland", it lost its last four letters, fell into disrepair, was renovated, and was finally replaced in 1978 by a new sign sponsored by celebrities and companies. Today the sign is one of the most photographed spots in Southern California. Several trails in Griffith Park lead close to it, including the popular Mount Hollywood Trail. The sign itself is fenced off for safety; the best viewpoints are found below it.