From a temporary ad to a landmark
The Hollywood Sign history starts in 1923, when a sign reading HOLLYWOODLAND went up on the hillside as advertising for a real estate project. It was meant to stand for about 18 months and cost $21,000 to build. Those are historical figures, not current costs.
The sign stayed, lost its last four letters in 1949 and was rebuilt in full in 1978. The nine letters you see today are that second sign. Today it stands on Mount Lee in Griffith Park, and you can look at it for free from public viewpoints. If you would rather see it on a guided outing, compare the Hollywood Sign tours.
Hollywood Sign timeline
The main dates, from the first sign to the centennial.
1923: HOLLYWOODLAND
The original sign advertised a housing development in the hills above Los Angeles. It was planned as a short-term advertisement of about 18 months. The first build cost $21,000.
Early lighting
The original sign was lit by roughly 4,000 light bulbs, and its letters were 50 ft (15.2 m) high. The steel letters of today are 45 ft (13.7 m) high and are not lit at night, so the old light show is history only.
1949: LAND comes down
The last four letters were removed and the remaining word was repaired. The sign now said HOLLYWOOD and no longer advertised the housing project. This was a repair of the existing letters, not a new sign.
1978: a new sign
After a fundraising effort, the old sign was taken down in August and a new steel and concrete structure replaced it. This is the sign visitors photograph today.
2022 and 2023: the centennial makeover
Work began on 19 September 2022 with cleaning, priming and a fresh coat of paint ahead of the 100th anniversary. The plan was about 8 weeks, until mid-November. Los Angeles declared 31 October 2023 Hollywood Sign Day.
Our pick: see it up close
Our take: a short guided walk to the front view of the letters.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hollywood Sign tours and Los Angeles day trips
Guided hikes, bus and van tours, and flights with views of the sign, with live prices and availability.
What the Hollywood Sign looks like today
Anyone who reads the history of the Hollywood Sign usually wants to know how close you can get. Not very close. There is no public path to the letters, and the area around them is watched around the clock by police, fire crews and park rangers. A paid guide does not change that. Walks end above or behind the fence, and the views from there are the reward.
The sign is not lit at night, and it was not touched by the fires of January 2025. Parts of Griffith Park were closed as a precaution at the time. Check the current status of the trails before you go.
For the numbers behind the letters, see the Hollywood Sign facts. For viewpoints that suit your plans, start with Hollywood Sign viewpoints.
Old and new compared
What changed between the first sign and the one you can see now.
| Detail | Original sign (1923) | Sign since 1978 |
|---|---|---|
| Wording | HOLLYWOODLAND | HOLLYWOOD |
| Letter height | 50 ft (15.2 m) | 45 ft (13.7 m) |
| Lighting | About 4,000 bulbs | Not lit at night |
| Construction | Temporary advertising sign | Steel and concrete structure |
| Purpose | Real estate ad | Landmark of Los Angeles |
For most history fans, a good way to connect the story to the place is a viewpoint visit, followed by a walk on one of the trails that lead above the fence. The Hollywood Sign hikes are described on their own page.
See the history in person
Two places that give the sign its context.
Ovation Hollywood
The complex at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue shows the sign above the city it came to represent. It is also known as Hollywood & Highland and is an easy stop on a Walk of Fame day.
Walk of Fame guide →Griffith Observatory
The Observatory grounds look across to Mount Lee, where the letters stand. The building and grounds are free, and the viewing terraces are popular around sunset.
Hollywood Sign history: frequently asked questions
When was the Hollywood Sign built?
The first sign went up in 1923 as HOLLYWOODLAND, an advertisement for a real estate project. The sign you see today dates from 1978, when the whole structure was replaced.
Why did the sign say Hollywoodland?
It advertised a housing development in the hills. It was planned to last about 18 months and cost $21,000 to build. In 1949 the last four letters were removed, which left the word HOLLYWOOD.
Was the Hollywood Sign repainted for the 100th anniversary?
Yes. Work began on 19 September 2022 with cleaning, priming and repainting, planned for about 8 weeks. Los Angeles declared 31 October 2023 Hollywood Sign Day.
Did the Hollywood Sign burn in the January 2025 fires?
No. The sign was not affected. Fires in the Los Angeles area that month were separate events, and the park around the sign was closed for a short time as a precaution.
Can you touch the Hollywood Sign?
No. Approaching or touching the letters is not allowed, and the area is monitored around the clock. Guided hikes end at viewpoints above or behind the fence.
Is this the official Hollywood Sign website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by or connected with the Hollywood Sign Trust, the City of Los Angeles or any attraction mentioned here.