Griffith Park: Hollywood Sign Hike & Observatory Tour

Summary

Hollywood hills hike past the sign into griffith observatory with la views

You’ll hike through Griffith Park’s wild trails with a local guide who actually knows LA’s quirks—catching glimpses of downtown, Silver Lake, and that famous Hollywood Sign before getting insider access to Griffith Observatory itself. Expect laughs, real stories, and sweaty calves—and maybe a new way of seeing Los Angeles by the time you’re heading back down.

What’s the experience like?

Someone waved from across the Greek Theatre parking lot — bright yellow vest, big grin, already chatting with a couple from Texas. That was our guide, Marcus. He handed out maps (mostly for show, I think) and checked if we’d brought enough water. “You’ll thank me later,” he said, and yeah, by mile two I really did. The air smelled like eucalyptus and sunscreen, and there was this early haze over Los Feliz that made everything look a bit softer than it probably was.

The first stretch up through Griffith Park felt easy at first — lots of families, some joggers, one guy walking his cat on a leash (not kidding). Marcus kept pointing out little things: coyote tracks in the dust, the Greek Theatre’s weird history, why the LA River isn’t really a river anymore. At one point he stopped us for a photo op with the Hollywood Sign in the background; everyone took turns pretending to hold it up or lean against it. I tried to get artsy but mostly just squinted into the sun. You could see downtown LA shimmering way off through the smog — kind of beautiful in its own stubborn way.

Getting closer to Mount Hollywood, my calves started talking back but nobody seemed in a rush. Some kid asked about movies filmed here and Marcus rattled off half a dozen — Rebel Without a Cause, La La Land — with this pride that made me wish I’d paid more attention in film class. The breeze picked up near Tiffany Point and you could smell chaparral and something sweet I still can’t place. We passed Forest Lawn Cemetery down below; Marcus told us about some old Hollywood legends buried there but didn’t get too heavy about it.

The last push to Griffith Observatory was steeper than I expected. Sweat running down my back, shirt sticking — not glamorous at all but somehow that made reaching the top feel earned. Inside the Observatory it was cool and hushed; standing under that giant telescope dome gave me goosebumps (could’ve been dehydration too). Our guide got us past some lines so we could poke around exhibits most people seemed to miss. There was this moment looking out over all of LA as golden hour hit — honestly, I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided hike and observatory tour

• Meet in front of Greek Theatre
• Safety briefing and tour overview
• Hike through Hollywood Hills
• Stop at Tiffany Point for photos
• Pass by Forest Lawn Memorial Park
• Pass through Los Feliz neighborhood
• View the LA River
• Explore Griffith Park history
• Hike through Santa Monica Mountains
• Hike up Mount Hollywood
• See Hollywood Sign atop Mount Lee
• View Century City vistas
• View Warner Brothers studio
• See Downtown Los Angeles skyline
• View Silver Lake neighborhood
• Get views of Hollywood city
• Spot Los Angeles Zoo
• View Gene Autry Museum
• Pass Griffith Park Bird Sanctuary
• See Walt Disney studios
• Tour Griffith Observatory exhibits

Top questions

How long is the Griffith Park hike to the Hollywood Sign?

The guided hike covers about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) round trip through Griffith Park.

Where does the guided tour start?

The tour starts at the Greek Theatre parking lot in Griffith Park.

Is entry to Griffith Observatory included?

Yes, you get insider access to Griffith Observatory as part of this tour.

Are children allowed on this hike?

Children over 5 years old who can hike are welcome; kids under 2 are free but not recommended due to trail difficulty.

Do I need to bring my own water?

Yes, guests must bring their own water—two bottles are recommended especially in summer months.

Is free parking available for this tour?

Yes, free parking is available at the Greek Theatre for tour guests—just check posted signs.

How difficult is this Hollywood Hills hiking tour?

The trail is considered easy to moderate; expect some uphill sections especially near Mount Hollywood.

What should I wear for this hike?

Closed-toe shoes are required; layers are recommended due to changing weather along the trail.

What’s included

Your day includes free parking at the Greek Theatre in Griffith Park, an expert local guide certified in first aid and CPR (Marcus had plenty of stories), skip-the-line insider access to Griffith Observatory’s exhibits after your hike up Mount Hollywood past famous film locations and city views—plus WiFi hotspot access if you want to share photos right away or just ask your guide for tips on what else not to miss in LA before heading out again.