The Hollywood Sign: Airport Runway Views

The Hollywood Sign is a famous landmark and American cultural icon located in Los Angeles, California. It is situated on Mount Lee, in the Hollywood Hills area of the Santa Monica Mountains, overlooking Hollywood, Los Angeles. While it is not visible from the Los Angeles Airport (LAX) terminals, it can be seen from the air when flying into or out of the airport. The closest airport to the Hollywood Sign is Burbank (BUR) Airport, which is 4.6 miles away, followed by Los Angeles (LAX) Airport at 14.2 miles away.

Burbank Airport is the closest airport to the Hollywood Sign

Burbank Airport, officially known as Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), offers a seamless travel experience with its quick-moving security checkpoints. It is also the only airport in the region with a direct rail connection to Downtown Los Angeles, making it an excellent choice for those seeking efficient transportation. The airport is easily accessible via Interstate 5, State Route 134, State Route 170, and U.S. Route 101.

With two terminals, A and B, housing a combined 14 gates, Burbank Airport provides services to seven commercial airlines: Alaska, American, Avelo, Delta, Southwest, Spirit, and United. The airport also boasts a variety of on-site services and amenities, ensuring a comfortable and convenient experience for passengers.

When compared to other nearby airports, such as Los Angeles (LAX), Long Beach (LGB), Santa Ana (SNA), and Ontario/San Bernardino (ONT), Burbank Airport stands out as the closest option to the Hollywood Sign. Its proximity to popular tourist destinations, efficient transport links, and convenient facilities make it the ideal choice for travellers visiting the iconic Hollywood Sign and exploring the vibrant city of Los Angeles.

The cheapest way to get from LAX to the Hollywood Sign is by car

The Hollywood Sign is located in Los Angeles, California, USA. The nearest airport to the Hollywood Sign is Burbank Airport (BUR), which is 4.6 miles away. Other nearby airports include Los Angeles Airport (LAX) (14.2 miles away), Long Beach Airport (LGB) (24.2 miles away), Santa Ana Airport (SNA) (41.3 miles away), and Ontario/San Bernardino Airport (ONT) (41.9 miles away).

If you are arriving at LAX and want to get to the Hollywood Sign, the cheapest way to travel is by car. The road distance from LAX to the Hollywood Sign is 18.4 miles, and the drive will take approximately 29 minutes. The estimated cost of driving is $3-$5, making it the most affordable option.

You can also get from LAX to the Hollywood Sign by taxi, town car, shuttle, tram, subway, or bus. These options will take longer and cost more. For example, taking a taxi will cost $85-$110 and will take around 29 minutes. The tram, subway, and bus will take around 2 hours and 19 minutes and cost $16-$19.

If you are already in Los Angeles, the cheapest way to get to the Hollywood Sign is also by car. The road distance is 8.4 miles, and the drive will take approximately 13 minutes. The estimated cost of driving is $1-$3.

Other options for getting from Los Angeles to the Hollywood Sign include subway and bus, taxi, or walking. The subway and bus will take around 1 hour and 11 minutes and cost $2-$5. Taking a taxi will cost $40-$50 and take 13 minutes, while walking will take 9.3 miles and is free.

The Hollywood Sign is not lit at night and is only visible during daylight hours

The Hollywood Sign, located near Burbank Airport, is not lit at night and is only visible during daylight hours. This may come as a surprise to tourists who often expect it to be illuminated, due to its depiction in popular culture. For example, in the 2012 film "Rock of Ages", the Hollywood Sign is depicted as being lit up, and Jimmy Kimmel's backdrop also included the sign illuminated behind the city skyline.

The sign was first erected in 1923 and originally read "Hollywoodland", advertising an upscale housing development. The bulbs flashed "Holly", "wood", and "land" in sequence and then "Hollywoodland" as one word. However, in 1933, the lights were turned off as it was becoming too costly to maintain the light bulbs. The sign has been rebuilt and refurbished several times since then, but a new lighting infrastructure was never installed.

Over the years, the Hollywood Sign has been illuminated on special occasions, such as during the 1984 Olympic Games and to celebrate the new millennium in 1999. There have been discussions about lighting the sign in the future, but it is a controversial matter. Some people are concerned about the impact on wildlife, as birds can be attracted to lights and collide with illuminated structures. There are also logistical challenges to consider, such as how to bring power to the sign and whether solar power or batteries could be used.

The decision to light the Hollywood Sign would require collaboration between the Hollywood Sign Trust, the city, elected officials, and the public. While some Angelenos are against the idea due to safety and environmental concerns, others are open to lighting the sign for special events a few times a year. For now, the Hollywood Sign remains unlit at night, providing a stark contrast to its bright and glamorous image during the day.

The sign is fenced in and guarded by a high-tech alarm system

The Hollywood Sign is an iconic American landmark that has been the target of numerous pranks and vandalism attempts over the years. To protect it from unauthorised access, the Los Angeles Police Department installed a high-tech security system in 2000. This system includes motion detection and closed-circuit cameras, with restricted areas clearly marked. If any movement is detected in these areas, an alarm is triggered, and the police are immediately notified.

The sign is also fenced in, with barriers put in place to prevent unauthorised access. These measures have been implemented to safeguard the sign from potential vandals and pranks, such as those that have altered the sign in the past. Some of these alterations include changing the sign to read "HOLLYWeeD", "HOLYWOOD", "RAFFEYSOD", and "OLLYWOOD", among others.

The Hollywood Sign Trust, a volunteer organisation, is dedicated to maintaining, protecting, and promoting the sign. However, it is important to note that they do not hold any legal rights to the landmark or the surrounding land, which is part of Griffith Park.

The sign's location on Mount Lee in Griffith Park, north of the Mulholland Highway, and its status as a cultural icon, make it a popular destination for tourists and sightseers. Despite the security measures in place, there have been concerns raised about the congestion and traffic caused by visitors to the sign. As a result, measures such as restricted parking and the closure of certain access points have been implemented to manage the influx of tourists.

The Griffith Observatory offers an unobstructed view of the Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign is one of the most recognisable images of Los Angeles and California. The sign is located on a steep hillside of Mt. Lee in southwestern Griffith Park, facing towards Hollywood and the Los Angeles Basin, making it visible for miles.

The Griffith Observatory, located in Griffith Park, offers an unobstructed view of the Hollywood Sign. In 2010, a generous donation by Hugh Hefner helped meet a $12.5 million fundraising goal, ensuring that the 138-acre parcel became part of Griffith Park, preserving the world-famous view of the Hollywood Sign. Visitors to the Griffith Observatory can enjoy this iconic view from the parking lot or walk along the hiking trails on Mount Hollywood for a more comfortable viewing experience. The Griffith Observatory also provides free parking and free admission, making it accessible to people of all physical abilities.

The Griffith Observatory is not the only place to enjoy views of the Hollywood Sign. Hollywood & Highland, on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, offers glimpses of the sign along with the glamour of Hollywood itself, including the Walk of Fame and the TCL Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Barnsdall Art Park, located near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vermont Avenue, is another spot to enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the Hollywood Sign.

For those seeking a more adventurous experience, there are hiking trails in Griffith Park that lead towards the Hollywood Sign. Additionally, Bikes and Hikes offer guided tours, including a 90-minute Express Tour and a 2.5-hour Original Hollywood Sign Hike, providing unique perspectives of the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, Greek Theatre, and Mount Hollywood.

While the Hollywood Sign is best seen during the day, it is not illuminated at night. However, there are live webcams available through the Hollywood Sign Trust that provide different perspectives of this iconic symbol of Los Angeles and the dreams surrounding the movie and TV industry.

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