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Los Angeles Car Rental and The Hollywood Sign

Some people say you know you’ve arrived in Hollywood when you see your names surrounded in lights on a marquee. Well, in all actuality – you know you’ve arrived in Hollywood when you see the big H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D sign standing high atop the Hollywood Hills! This iconic sign has greeted millions of Tinsel Town hopefuls over the years, inspiring them to live big and embrace their dreams. But does anyone really know the story behind this enigmatic landmark? What’s the explanation behind it? Read on to find out.

Welcome to Hollywoodland?

The Hollywood sign is now accepted as a landscape staple, welcoming travelers into both the town and the booming film industry. However, the sign wasn’t originally intended for this purpose. In fact, the sign was originally erected as an advertisement for a housing development in the hills about the Hollywood district. The sign didn’t even read Hollywood back in 1923 when it was erected either; it actually read “HOLLYWOODLAND”. It was never intended to be a permanent fixture atop the hills, never mind become an international icon.

Creating a cultural emblem

Official maintenance of the HOLLYWOODLAND sign ended in 1939 and it wasn’t long before the now popular sign began to fall into disrepair. In 1949, the Hollywood chamber of Commerce stepped in, offering to repair and maintain the sign. They had one request however, and that was the remove the last four letters, creating the sign we all recognize today. This effort gave the sign new life for a few decades, until once again the sign fell into disrepair. This time, nine donors gave $27,700 apiece in order to sponsor replacement letters made of Australian steel. So who were these donors exactly? Well:

• The letter H – Joel Ruiz
• The letters O – Giovanni Mazza, Warner Bros. Records, Alice Cooper
• The letters L – Les Kelley, Gene Autry
• The letter Y – Hugh Hefner
• The letter W – Andy Williams
• The letter D – Dennis Lidtke

Where to go to see the sign

Los Angeles car rental travelers can see the Hollywood Sign from a number of places in and around the city. Top places include:

• The Hollywood & Highland Center: Designers of the Hollywood & Highland Center made it a point to feature the distant Hollywood sign as the centerpiece to their masterpiece. The result, numerous sign photo ops can be found throughout the facility. Los Angeles car rental travelers will find the Hollywood & Highland Center (obviously) at the intersection of these two streets. Parking can be found just north of Hollywood Boulevard.
• Beachwood Canyon: Los Angeles car rental travelers will get a great look at the Hollywood sign when driving along Beachwood Canyon Drive. Three of the best places to pullover on Beachwood include the cross streets of Glen Holly, Glen Oak and Cheremoya.
• Gower Boulevard: Views on Gower Boulevard are similar to the ones on Beachwood Canyon Drive. The only difference is that the sign is easier to see. Los Angeles car rental travelers should try to go as far south on Gower Boulevard as they can in order to get the best view.
• Lake Hollywood: If you can afford to enjoy a little drive, Exclusive Los Angeles Car Rental highly recommends embarking on this road trip towards the sign. Take the Barham Boulevard exit from the 101 Freeway. Go east on Barham to Lake Hollywood Drive. Hang a right onto Lake Hollywood, following it all the way to the top of the hill. At the top of the hill you’ll have to bear to the right, and at the bottom bear to the left onto Montlake Drive. Follow Montlake to Tahoe. Turn left onto Tahoe continuing to Canyon Lake. Turn right and continue to the top of the hill. A stunning view of the sign is waiting for you and your Los Angeles car rental crew.