15 Best Hikes in Los Angeles, From Malibu to Mount Baldy | Condé Nast Traveler

"This is actually a network of little trails in Griffith Park around the iconic observatory, including one three-mile hike (the Mt. Hollywood Trail) that takes you as close to the Hollywood sign as you can get. Locals love the observatory-adjacent trails just as much as the tourists do: You'll see lots of families, dogs, and people going to check out the caves, canyons, and vistas along the way. It's always worth it to take a post-hike visit to the Griffith Observatory, an Art Deco marvel that is one of the most visited observatories in the world for a reason. Its exhibit halls (one of which houses a rare, electricity-pulsing Tesla coil), photogenic views of the Hollywood sign, planetarium, and 12-inch Zeiss telescope bring visitors in droves." - Maxwell Williams