From the 101 in Los Angeles, take the Vermont exit and head north until you reach the end of the road in Griffith Park. Pass under the tunnels and park—you’re at the trailhead. Mt. Hollywood sits within Griffith Park, the largest urban wilderness area in the US, so you’re looking at a significant chunk of genuinely wild terrain right in the city.

The hike itself is short and manageable, making it solid with kids. You gain elevation steadily but without the grinding switchbacks that can wear everyone out halfway through. The payoff is immediate once you reach the summit: 360-degree visibility that’s honestly hard to beat. On a clear day after rain—when the air is freshest—you can see the entire San Gabriel range stretching east. When snow caps those mountains, the contrast against the blue sky is something else entirely.

From the peak, you’ll pick out the Hollywood sign across on Mt. Lee, the Pacific glinting in the distance, and both the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Basin spread below you. The Griffith Observatory sits below as well, giving you an aerial perspective on that landmark. The city actually looks good from up here, which is saying something.

Timing matters. Go early in the morning, especially after a rain, when the light is clean and the crowds haven’t arrived yet. The blue sky is what you’re after—hazy days don’t do the view justice. Bring water even though it’s a short hike; the exposed trail offers no shade, and the LA sun reflects hard off the dirt. The trail can get busy on weekends, so a weekday morning gives you a better chance at solitude with your dog and clearer sightlines for photos.