The most famous sign in Greater Los Angeles is the Hollywood Sign, which was dedicated on July 13, 1923, as an advertisement that became a permanent fixture of the landscape. Located on Mount Lee (not Mount Hollywood), the Hollywood Sign is visible at several vantage points from Mulholland Drive. There are no public roads leading up to the sign itself. The property behind the sign (on Cahuenga Peak) was added to the city's Griffith Park on December 9, 2010 to help preserve the unfettered view of the Hollywood Sign. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Plenty of interesting roads and highways bisect the Los Angeles regions. This section profiles several of these roads, including unique bridges and vistas.
The city of Los Angeles has been modifying its street blades to this design, which incorporates the street name, address block, and city seal. This particular street blade for Exposition Boulevard is posted at its intersection with Figueroa Street (old U.S. 6 and California 11). Photo taken 05/05/12.
Crenshaw Boulevard north
Northbound Crenshaw Boulevard meets San Clemente Drive and Valley View Road. Crenshaw Boulevard will continue uphill to Crest Road, then from the top of Rancho Palos Verdes, it begins its descent past the cities of Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates into Lomita and Torrance. Photo taken 02/13/11.
At the intersection with Crest Road, northbound Crenshaw Boulevard reaches its highest elevation and then begins its descent. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Crenshaw Boulevard descends from the top of Rancho Palos Verdes and proceeds northeast toward Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Lomita, and Torrance. Photos taken 02/13/11.
Northbound Crenshaw Boulevard meets Indian Peak Road in Rolling Hills Estates. Photo taken 02/13/11.
The roadway curves northeast and continues downhill. A concrete median barrier is placed between the two directions of traffic to reduce/eliminate crossover accidents (head-on collisions). Photo taken 02/13/11.
This view is afforded after the intersection with Silver Spur Road. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Occasional glimpses of the Los Angeles Basin can be had from Crenshaw Boulevard northbound. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Northbound Crenshaw Boulevard approaches Palos Verdes Drive North as we near the bottom of the hill. Ahead on the right is the South Coast Botanic Garden. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Snow capped peaks rise in the distance as we come down the north slope of the hills. Photo taken 02/13/11.
At the bottom of the hill, Crenshaw Boulevard enters the city of Torrance ("The City with a Hometown Feel"). Photo taken 02/13/11.
Northbound Crenshaw Boulevard approaches its junction with California 1/Pacific Coast Highway. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Scenes Pertaining to Crenshaw Boulevard
This view looks down from Rancho Palos Verdes south toward the Pacific Ocean and Santa Catalina Island. We are standing on a trail in open space that leads from the southern end of Crenshaw Boulevard. Photo taken 02/13/11.
This view looks due west from the same vantage point. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Looking east from the same vantage point sweeps toward Trump National Golf Course. The open space below this point was originally intended to carry an extension of Crenshaw Boulevard south to Palos Verdes Drive South, but constant land motion has prevented any construction on this unstable bluff. Photo taken 02/13/11.
A steep hiking trail is all that remains of plans to extend Crenshaw Boulevard. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Echo Park Avenue north
Echo Park, which includes Echo Lake, is bounded by Glendale Boulevard on the west side of the park and Echo Park Avenue on the east side of the park. Traveling northbound, the lake is on the west (left side) of the road, and a trailblazer is posted for Dodgers Stadium, which is located in Echo Park. Photo taken 02/26/11.
An older trailblazer for Dodgers Stadium is found a bit further north. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Northbound Echo Park Avenue meets Park Avenue. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Exposition Line (Metro Light Rail) - Scenes Pertaining to
The Expo Line opened to transit use on April 28, 2012. Part of the Metro rail network, the Expo Line begins in downtown Los Angeles and extends south along the Interstate 110 corridor to Exposition Boulevard, then turns west toward Culver City. A future extension will eventually bring this line to Santa Monica. Photos taken 05/05/12.
Located in the median of Exposition Boulevard, this at-grade station for the Expo Line is located along adjacent to the entrance to the rose garden at Exposition Park and the southern edge of the University of Southern California. Photos taken 05/05/12.
This series of pictures shows the La Cienega-Jefferson station along the Expo Line. When we visited, this was the western terminus of the route, but by summer 2012 it extended west to Culver City. Photos taken 05/05/12.
Exposition Park - Scenes Pertaining to
This series of pictures showcases Exposition Park, which is located south of the University of Southern California (USC) campus and includes the California Science Center, Sports Arena, and Los Angeles Coliseum. A sprawling rose garden sits near one of the main entrances into the Science Center just south of USC. Photos taken 05/05/12.
This is the main entrance to the Los Angeles Coliseum, which is home to the University of Southern California and was home to the 1984 Summer Olympics. Photos taken 05/05/12.
Fargo Street east
One of the steepest streets in Los Angeles is Fargo Street, which travels from Allesandro Street uphill to Alvarado Street. Walkers and bicyclists alike gather to climb this steep grade, measured at 32%. Photos taken 03/25/07.
Fargo Street west
These views look downhill (westbound) on Fargo Street. At the bottom of the hill is Allesandro Street and the southernmost segment of California 2/Glendale Freeway. Photos taken 03/25/07.
Figueroa Street
At the northeastern intersection of Figueroa Street (Old U.S. 6 and California 11) and Jefferson Avenue is Felix Chevrolet, which features Felix the Cat on its marquee. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Flower Street
Near Interstate 110/Harbor Freeway, this view looks north along Flower Street at the Expo Line station; the majority of this light rail line opened for use on April 28, 2012.1 Photo taken 02/26/11.
Glendale Boulevard south
In Echo Park, southbound Glendale Boulevard passes under a bridge that carries U.S. 66/Sunset Boulevard overhead. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Southbound Glendale Boulevard approaches U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway. A graffiti-covered sign advises of the pending interchange. U.S. 101 travels north to Hollywood and south to downtown Los Angeles. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Los Feliz Boulevard east
Leaving the Los Feliz district of Los Angeles near Griffith Park, eastbound Los Feliz Boulevard approaches Huxley Street followed by Riverside Drive and Interstate 5/Golden State Freeway. A sign advises the best route to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is via Interstate 5 north. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Use Interstate 5 north to Glendale, Burbank, and the San Fernando Valley. To the south, Interstate 5 leads to East Los Angeles and then toward Anaheim and Santa Ana. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Eastbound Los Feliz Boulevard passes by the William Mulholland Memorial Fountain. Photo taken 02/26/11.
To Interstate 5 south, use Riverside Drive south. Continue straight ahead for the ramp onto Interstate 5 north. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Prior to passing over Interstate 5, the next right connects to Interstate 5 north from Los Feliz Boulevard. Upon entering the onramp, a single lane bridge crosses over Interstate 5, then curves north to merge onto the Golden State Freeway. Note the neutered Interstate 5 freeway entrance shield assembly here, which is uncommon for greater Los Angeles. Photos taken 02/26/11.
Palos Verdes Drive South west
Passing from the city of Los Angeles into the city of Rancho Palos Verdes, westbound 25th Street changes into Palos Verdes Drive South. The city incorporated on September 7, 1973, and had a population of 41,145 as of the 2000 Census. Palos Verdes Drive South follows the coastline as it skirts coastal bluffs and serves nearby residential development. Photos taken 02/13/11.
Westbound Palos Verdes Drive South approaches its intersection with Palos Verdes Drive East. Photos taken 02/13/11.
Coastal fog rolled into the area on this late morning in Rancho Palos Verdes. On the south side of the road is the championship Trump National Golf Course and its towering flagpole. Photos taken 02/13/11.
For about a mile, this section of Palos Verdes Drive South was impacted by a shifting coastal bluff. The road is constantly in motion, resulting in the need for road repairs to keep it passable. Large warning signs advise of the unstable ground for this nearly one-mile stretch. Photos taken 02/13/11.
The area of the failing coastal bluff is preserved as open space (Palos Verdes Natural Preserve - Portuguese Bend Reserve). There were plans in the 1950s to extend Crenshaw Boulevard over the mountain and downhill to meet Palos Verdes Drive South, but the road was never built due to the instability of the terrain. Photos taken 02/13/11.
This series of pictures shows more of the unstable earth over which Palos Verdes Drive passes. Photos taken 02/13/11.
At Point Vicente, Palos Verdes Drive South changes into Palos Verdes Drive West. This is the furthest west this road will go, and it turns north. Turn left here for an interpretive center and lighthouse. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Northbound Palos Verdes Drive West meets Los Angeles County Route N-7/Hawthorne Boulevard. The signed county route begins at this intersection and climbs over the mountain and then descends into Torrance. At the intersection with California 1, Hawthorne Boulevard becomes a state highway (California 107). Photo taken 02/13/11.
Riverside Drive south
Southbound Riverside Drive approaches Newell Street. Turn left east on Newell Street to the onramp for California 2/Glendale Freeway north to Glendale. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Riverside Drive north
Now looking in the other direction, northbound Riverside Drive approaches Newell Street. Turn right (east) on Newell Street to the onramp for California 2/Glendale Freeway north to Glendale. Continue north on Riverside Drive to California 2 south to Glendale Boulevard. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Northbound Riverside Drive meets Newell Street. An Interstate 5 trailblazer is also posted on the traffic signal pole. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Soon thereafter, northbound Riverside Drive meets Allesandro Street. The California 2 freeway passes over Riverside Drive. Photo taken 03/25/07.
After passing under California 2, the next right connects to California 2/Glendale Freeway south to Echo Park. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Northbound Riverside Drive meets the onramp to California 2/Glendale Freeway south to Echo Park. Photo taken 03/25/07.
A bit further north, Riverside Drive approaches the Hyperion Avenue overpass, an arch bridge. An onramp connects Riverside Drive to Interstate 5/Golden State Freeway. Photos taken 03/25/07.
Sunset Boulevard north
Sunset Boulevard splits with Hollywood Boulevard. Stay left for Sunset Boulevard west or right for Hollywood Boulevard north. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Vermont Avenue north
Northbound Vermont Avenue approaches Los Feliz Boulevard in the Los Feliz community of Los Angeles. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Vermont Avenue meets Los Feliz Boulevard at this signalized intersection. Continue straight to Griffith Park, including the Greek Theatre, Roosevelt Municipal Golf Course, and Griffith Observatory. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Through Griffith Park, Vermont Avenue is closed to through traffic overnight, except on show nights at the Greek Theatre. Photo taken 02/26/11.
After passing by several homes, Vermont Avenue enters Griffith Park. Photo taken 02/26/11.
A monument sign welcomes visitors to Griffith Park. Photo taken 02/26/11.
William Mulholland Memorial Fountain
Near the southwest corner of the intersection between Los Feliz Boulevard and Riverside Drive near the interchange with Interstate 5 is the William Mulholland Memorial Fountain. This fountain honors the "Father of the Los Angeles Water System" and was dedicated on August 1, 1940. Photo taken 02/26/11.
Griffith Park
This series of pictures shows photos of Griffith Park in Los Angeles. This first set follows Vermont Canyon Road north as it ascends toward the Griffith Observatory. At the top of the grade, Vermont Canyon Road turns west to pass into a tunnel. Photos taken 02/26/11.
A tunnel connects Vermont Canyon Road with Western Canyon Road, bypassing Griffith Observatory. These views look westbound. Watch for stopped or slowed traffic at the west end of this tunnel. A white guide sign is posted at the west end of the tunnel. Photos taken 02/26/11.
These views look out over Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory, starting with a view looking toward the north and then circling counterclockwise toward West Los Angeles and downtown. These pictures demonstrate the clarity commonly found after storms pass through the Southland. Included in the views is the Hollywood sign, visible on Mt. Lee. Photos taken 02/26/11.
Now we look at Griffith Observatory, which was dedicated on May 14, 1935, and is located on a promontory below Mount Hollywood overlooking the Los Angeles Basin to the south. The observatory sits at 1,134 feet above sea level and contains telescopes and exhibits related to astronomy. Photos taken 02/26/11.
