Scenic view of the iconic Hollywood Sign on Mount Lee in Los Angeles, California

Did You Know?

Did you know that Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States? With a population of over 3.9 million people, it is surpassed only by New York City. Los Angeles is a diverse and vibrant metropolis that encompasses a wide range of neighborhoods, cultures, and industries.

Did you know that Los Angeles has the world's busiest origin and destination airport? Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the busiest airports globally, with millions of travelers passing through each year. It serves as a major gateway to international destinations and is a hub for various airlines.

Did you know that Los Angeles is home to the largest county park system in the United States? The Los Angeles County Park system comprises over 400 parks, covering approximately 69,000 acres (28,000 hectares) of land. These parks offer a wide array of recreational activities, from hiking and picnicking to sports and cultural events.

Did you know that Los Angeles has a rich cultural scene and hosts numerous museums and art galleries? The Getty Center, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County are just a few examples of the city's world-class cultural institutions. These venues showcase a wide range of art, history, and scientific exhibits.

Did you know that Los Angeles is often called the "Entertainment Capital of the World"? The city is renowned for its thriving entertainment industry, including Hollywood, which is the center of the American film and television industry. Many iconic movies, TV shows, and music albums have originated in Los Angeles.

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Hollywood Sign

Let’s start with a sage warning: do not attempt to climb the nearly 14-metre (45 feet) high letters of the Hollywood sign. For one thing, they’re flat and slippery. For another, the rocky, sandy terrain that leads up to them is on a steep, dangerous hillside on Mount Lee. People have done it and been injured in the process. One died.

The suicide of young actress, Peg Entwistle, who threw herself off the “H” in 1932, is the subject of a musical and soon to be a major motion picture, but in the meantime, she turns up now and then in ghostly form. Just don’t climb the sign!

There is a trail that leads toward the sign, but it’s a one-hour hike each way, uphill getting there, and it does not take climbers close to the 107-metre-long (350 feet) sign anyway. Best you go to Griffith Park and see it from there; that’s the best vantage point, and safest, too.

Why is the Hollywood sign there? It’s a historic landmark and icon now, but when it was put up in 1923, at the staggering cost of $21,000, by L.A. Times publisher, Harvey Chandler, it was an advertisement. Yes, a giant billboard for a new upscale residential development he was creating. The sign was in a bad state in the 1970s and was refurbished; it was rebuilt completely in 1978, presumably without Peg’s assistance.