Griffith Park & Hollywood Sign Sunset Hike Los Angeles

The Hike That Ends at a Free Museum with City Views

You hike 3.5 miles from the Greek Theater through Griffith Park's Bird Sanctuary and up Mount Hollywood, learning about the Tongva and seeing the city spread below you. You stop at the best Hollywood Sign viewpoints, pass a hidden 1920s garden, and finish at Griffith Observatory for a free museum tour and sunset views. The reusable water bottle and guide are included. Kids 7–11 enter free. Plan to arrive early and use public transit to avoid parking trouble.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Griffith Park30m
2. The Greek Theatre10m
3. Hollywood Sign10m
4. Hollywood Hills15m
5. Griffith Observatory20m

Griffith Park and Hollywood Sign Hike

• Meet at the Greek Theatre
• Learn about the Greek Theatre history
• Hike through the Bird Sanctuary
• Climb to Hollywood Hills summit
• Enjoy city views from Hollywood Hills
• Visit secret garden behind Mount Hollywood
• Take photos of the Hollywood Sign
• Walk down to Griffith Observatory
• Tour Griffith Observatory
• Enjoy free museum at Griffith Observatory

The experience

You'll meet at the Greek Theater in Griffith Park at 3pm in winter or 4pm in summer, and right away the trail climbs. The path takes you through the Bird Sanctuary first (a quieter section where the city noise drops away), and then up into the Hollywood Hills proper. Your guide talks about the Tongva, the first people who lived here, which changes how you see the sprawl below. By the time you reach Mount Hollywood's summit after about an hour and a half, you can see almost all of Los Angeles spread out: the basin, the mountains, the way neighborhoods connect. It's the kind of view that makes the climb feel worth it before you've even started back down.

The descent is where the Hollywood Sign shots happen. You'll stop at a few of the best angles (the ones that actually work for photos, not the tourist trap views), and then the trail flattens out near a secret garden, a patch of green someone planted in the 1920s and 30s that still grows behind Mount Hollywood. After that comes Griffith Observatory, where the tour technically ends but you don't have to leave. The building itself is an icon from old movies, all Streamline Moderne curves, and it sits at a vantage point over the whole city. The museum inside is free and stays open until late, so you can stick around for sunset light on the Observatory dome and the city lights coming on. This is where most people linger. The views are better than the hike alone would give you.

The whole thing is 3.5 miles, which sounds short until you're climbing hills in Los Angeles heat. You'll get a reusable water bottle (worth $10) at the start, which helps. Kids aged 7 to 11 get in free, and the tour operator donates $1 per guest to Climate Cents, so there's a small environmental angle baked in. The real logistics: don't assume you can park at the Greek Theater. If there's an event, it's nearly impossible. Take an Uber or the Dash bus from Sunset and Vermont Metro Station for 50 cents. It takes 10 minutes. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early because the group won't wait for stragglers, and in LA traffic is always a factor.

What’s included

• Professional guide.
• entry to Griffith Observatory with a brief tour.
• reusable water bottle.
• $1 donation per guest to Climate Cents nonprofit.
• free entry for children aged 7–11.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 15:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by The Real Los Angeles Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main Griffith Park highlights (Hollywood Sign views, Mount Hollywood's summit, and the Observatory) without arranging transport or timing multiple attractions yourself. The fixed start time and included guide keep the day structured, which matters in LA traffic.

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Top questions

What time does the Mount Hollywood hike start?

3pm in winter months, 4pm in summer. Check the booking calendar for exact dates, as times shift seasonally.

Can you get close to the Hollywood Sign on this hike?

No, it's illegal to approach the sign directly. The hike includes the best viewpoints for photos from a distance, plus stops at several angles along the trail down.

Is Griffith Observatory included in the tour?

Yes. The hike ends at the Observatory with a quick tour included. The museum itself is free and you can stay as long as you want after the tour ends.

How long is the hike?

3.5 miles total, with elevation gain as you climb to Mount Hollywood's summit. The full experience, including the Observatory, takes about 3 to 4 hours.

What's included in the price?

A guide, entry to Griffith Observatory, a reusable water bottle ($10 retail value), and a $1 donation per guest to Climate Cents. Children aged 7–11 enter free.

Is parking available at the Greek Theater?

Parking is extremely difficult, especially if there's an event. The best option is to take an Uber or the Dash bus (50 cents) from Sunset and Vermont Metro Station, which takes 10 minutes.

Is this hike suitable for children?

Children aged 7–11 are welcome and enter free. Children under 7 are not recommended. The hike involves 3.5 miles of climbing, so kids should be comfortable with sustained walking uphill.

What should I bring?

A water bottle (one is provided, but bring extra if you prefer). Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring sunscreen. Arrive 10–15 minutes early. The group cannot wait for latecomers.

Is the hike difficult?

It's moderate to moderately strenuous. You'll climb steadily to Mount Hollywood's summit, and the trail includes some steep sections. It's not recommended for people with mobility issues, low fitness levels, or a fear of heights.

Can I stay at Griffith Observatory after the tour?

Yes. The Observatory is free and open until late most nights. It's one of the best places in LA for sunset views and evening photos. Note: it's closed Mondays.