The Hollywood Sign is one of Los Angeles’ most iconic sights and is on every LA must-do itinerary. Blame it on opening credits of movies or 90210, but most people’s impression of the Hollywood sign is a helicopter shot soaring over the sign and then to Malibu, making it seem as if the two are only fifteen minutes apart. Just as ridiculous as the average person being able to get from Hollywood to Malibu in the same hour, is the belief that the average traveler can easily recreate this experience.
However, lacking access to a helicopter, plane, or personal jet pack doesn’t mean the best way to see the Hollywood Sign is from the deck of Hollywood and Highland. For a spectacular view of this most iconic LA sight, while creating an experience to brag about, you have to see the Hollywood Sign on horseback.
Sunset Ranch in the Hollywood Hills allows tourists to experience gorgeous views of Griffith Park, The Griffith Observatory, Downtown Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign creating an unparalleled Hollywood experience. When you arrive at the ranch, you are partnered with a horse, and told to talk to your horse to bond, so you’ll feel comfortable on the trail. Once your group is all paired up, you take off on a two-hour ride guided by a rancher tour guide.
With names like Shakespeare and Midnight, your Hollywood steed will slowly and steadily carry you up to the top of Mt. Hollywood for 360-degree views of Los Angeles, from the beaches to the valleys. Since you must surrender to the pace of the horse, you are able to fully appreciate your surroundings. Even if you aren’t an expert horse rider, you’ll still enjoy the experience, and, if you are good on a horse, watching your friends and family learn how to stop the horse from eating grass might be just as fun as seeing the city’s iconic sights.
If you are looking for longer trip, embark on a 4-hour sunset dinner where the ride stops at a local Mexican restaurant before mounting back up on your horse and catching the sunset over the mountains or city, depending which way you choose to look – I recommend both). Another option is the BBQ dinner, served the third Saturday of every month. After a two-hour round trip horseback ride to Mt. Hollywood, riders return to the ranch for a cowboy BBQ dinner with accompanying musical entertainment.
When visiting popular tourist cities like Los Angeles, try to seek out new ways of exploring must-do stops on your itinerary. Doing this, you still get to see the icons but you’ll have an interesting story that is all your own, “I saw the Hollywood Sign, and all I got was this bowlegged walk”.