Hollywood Hills
The Hollywood Hills, including Laurel Canyon, are the winding canyon neighborhoods above Hollywood, with hillside homes, Mulholland Drive along the ridge and views from the Hollywood Sign to the San Fernando Valley. Here's what to know whether you're visiting or thinking of moving, with full drives so you can see the streets for yourself.
Last updated November 2026 · Sources
At a glance
- Part of
- City of Los Angeles, LA County
- Population
- About 21,500 (recent estimate)
- Includes
- Beachwood Canyon, Hollywoodland, Laurel Canyon and the Mulholland ridge
- ZIP codes
- 90068 and 90046
- Main roads
- Mulholland Drive, Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Beachwood Drive
- Freeways
- US-101 through the Cahuenga Pass
A short history
- A canyon resort
In 1908 a developer bought land on Lookout Mountain above Laurel Canyon and sold it as mountain vacation lots. From about 1912 to 1918 a trolley ran up the canyon from Sunset Boulevard to a roadhouse.
- Hollywoodland
The first lots of the Hollywoodland development in Beachwood Canyon went on sale in March 1923, and the giant HOLLYWOODLAND sign went up that winter as an ad for it.
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- A road on the ridge
Mulholland Drive, named for water engineer William Mulholland, opened from the Cahuenga Pass westward in 1924, paid for by developers opening up the hills.
- The canyon sound
From the mid 1960s to the early 1970s, Laurel Canyon was home to a famous music scene, with artists including Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa, The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield living along its side streets.
Hollywood Hills today
- Homes climb the hillsides on narrow, winding streets, from 1920s Spanish-style houses in Beachwood Canyon to modern glass houses near the ridge.
- Laurel Canyon Boulevard is a busy shortcut between the Valley and the city, and its small country store is still a local landmark.
- Mulholland Drive has scenic overlooks above the Hollywood Bowl and the Valley, and trails at Runyon Canyon and around Lake Hollywood are close by.
- Many streets have no sidewalks and little parking, so day-to-day life here is built around the car.
From the driver's seat
Our drives show the hills at their best and their tightest: blind curves, switchbacks, cars parked tight to the hillside and then a sudden view across the whole city. Start with Mulholland Drive, our most-watched drive, then try Laurel Canyon at golden hour.
If you're visiting
- Views of the Hollywood Sign
Lake Hollywood Park and the trails above Griffith Observatory have the best close views. The sign itself is fenced off and you can't touch it.
- Mulholland Drive overlooks
Stop at the Hollywood Bowl Overlook and the Universal City Overlook for views over the city and the Valley.
- Runyon Canyon Park
The area's most popular hike, short and steep, with views from Downtown to the ocean on clear days.
- Lake Hollywood Reservoir
A paved walking loop around the 1924 reservoir, with the sign above it.
- Bronson Canyon and the Bronson Caves
A short trail to the caves used as the Batcave in the 1960s Batman TV series.
- The Hollywoodland gates
The 1923 stone gates on Beachwood Drive, at the entrance to the original Hollywoodland development.
- Laurel Canyon Country Store
The small market at the heart of Laurel Canyon, a hangout during the 1960s music scene.
▶ Tap a highlighted name to watch that spot in one of our drives.
- Many streets near the sign are narrow, residential and permit-parking only. Use official parking at Lake Hollywood Park or Griffith Park.
- The trails have little shade. Go early, bring water and wear proper shoes.
- Mulholland's overlooks are open from dawn to dusk, and sunset is the busiest time.
Getting there: You'll want a car or a rideshare. The Hollywood/Highland B Line station is at the bottom of the hills, and the 101 runs through the Cahuenga Pass.
Preview it: Mulholland Drive: Hollywood Hills to The GettyHours, prices and seasons change, so check before you go.
Tours and tickets
- Hollywood Sign tours and hikesGetYourGuideViator
Guided routes to the best sign views, with the hiking sorted for you.
- Griffith Observatory and park toursGetYourGuideViator
Combine the observatory, the trails and the city lookout.
- Hollywood Sign horseback ridesGetYourGuideViator
Trail rides in Griffith Park with sign views.
- Mulholland Drive and canyon toursGetYourGuideViator
Scenic drives along the ridge and through Laurel Canyon.
These are affiliate links: if you book, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the drives coming. Both sites let you compare prices and reviews, and many listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. Planning a whole trip? See Plan your trip.
If you're moving here
Cost snapshot
Figures are area-wide estimates from listing sites and change monthly. Check current listings before you decide.
Getting around
A car is close to essential up here. The Hollywood/Highland B Line station is at the bottom of the hills, the 101 runs through the Cahuenga Pass, and the canyon roads connect straight over the hills to Studio City and the Valley.
Need Hollywood Hills on film for work?
Realtors, relocation consultants and brands can license our footage or commission a drive of a specific street, route or time of day.
Watch it: drives through Hollywood Hills
8 drives
No. 01135:18Mulholland Drive: Hollywood Hills to The Getty
No. 01815:36Laurel Canyon to Studio City on a Saturday Morning
No. 00116:31To the Hollywood Sign via Beachwood Canyon
No. 01921:29Hollywood Hills at Golden Hour
No. 03526:40Laurel Canyon and Mulholland Drive
No. 03920:18Studio City to Hollywood: Laurel Canyon at Golden Hour
No. 05122:57Hollywood Evening After a Storm
No. 0054:06A Short Drive Up Bronson Canyon
Jump straight to it
Find a landmark- 1:03Hollywood Hills in Hollywood Evening After a StormPlay
- 4:01Beachwood Canyon in Hollywood Evening After a StormPlay
- 6:50Hollywood Dell in Hollywood Evening After a StormPlay
- 0:00Cahuenga Boulevard - Cahuenga Pass in Mulholland Drive: Hollywood Hills to The GettyPlay
- 1:37Mulholland Drive in Mulholland Drive: Hollywood Hills to The GettyPlay
- 3:17Hollywood Bowl Overlook in Mulholland Drive: Hollywood Hills to The GettyPlay
- 5:08Top of Runyon Canyon Park in Mulholland Drive: Hollywood Hills to The GettyPlay
- 8:28Universal City Overlook in Mulholland Drive: Hollywood Hills to The GettyPlay
See all 15 moments in Find a landmark
Short drives nearby
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Quick answers
Where is Hollywood Hills?
The Hollywood Hills, including Laurel Canyon, are the winding canyon neighborhoods above Hollywood, with hillside homes, Mulholland Drive along the ridge and views from the Hollywood Sign to the San Fernando Valley.
What is the population of Hollywood Hills?
Hollywood Hills has a population of about 21,500 (recent estimate).
What is there to do in Hollywood Hills?
Top things to see include Views of the Hollywood Sign, Mulholland Drive overlooks, Runyon Canyon Park, Lake Hollywood Reservoir and Bronson Canyon and the Bronson Caves.
How do you get around Hollywood Hills?
A car is close to essential up here. The Hollywood/Highland B Line station is at the bottom of the hills, the 101 runs through the Cahuenga Pass, and the canyon roads connect straight over the hills to Studio City and the Valley.
How much does it cost to live in Hollywood Hills?
Typical home value: $1.91M (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026). Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,346/mo (Apartments.com, March 2026).
Can I see what Hollywood Hills looks like before I visit or move?
Yes. Somewhere Drive has 5 full 4K drives through Hollywood Hills with no narration, including Mulholland Drive: Hollywood Hills to The Getty.
Sources
- Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles (Wikipedia)
- Mulholland Drive (Wikipedia)
- The lost meanings of the original Hollywood sign (PBS SoCal)
- Hollywood Hills home values (Zillow)
- Hollywood Hills rent (Apartments.com)
This guide describes places, streets and history, not who lives here. Spot an error? Email hello@somewheredrive.com.
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