Hollywood Reservoir

Peaceful and scenic spot right in the middle of LA! The walk around Hollywood Reservoir offers great views of the Hollywood Sign and the water. Well-maintained trail, easy to walk, and not too crowded on weekdays. Perfect for a quiet morning or sunset stroll.

Not usually very crowded during the week, and super close to LA when you need to get a way. It's a flat and easy 3 miles loop, about half of it is paved. There's drinking fountains and restrooms too just in case

Amazing place with incredible views ❤️ My favourite place to hike! The trail is paved - convenient for dust-free hiking) You can see animals: hares, varans, deer There's a cool spot on the trail for a photo with a Hollywood sight 📸

Beautiful and quite walking trail at the Hollywood Reservoir. The road to getting there is a bit tight and curvy but I think it helps deter a lot of people away which helps keep its exclusivity. I truly felt like I was not in LA for a couple moments while walking the 3.5 mile loop. The dead silence and natural beauty really delivers an amazing escape.

Peaceful, easy walk. If not for the Hollywood sign, you could forget you’re in Los Angeles! You will hear wildlife and might even spot some on your visit to the Reservoir. There is a small parking lot on site. Be mindful the drive up to the Reservoir is residential and narrow - go slow and be attentive!

Great place to view the Hollywood sign, take a walk, ride a bike or take one of the hiking trails. You drive up to the reservoir on very narrow winding residential streets, once you reach the reservoir there is a small parking lot and limited parking on the street.

A 30-minute trail run is a great workout, often covering 2-6 miles

Grate views of the Holly wood sign. TIP: keep waking till the fence ends and you reach the bridge. There’s the most spectacular view. A lot of people just turn around because they think is not worth it but it totally is worth it.

Nice trail to walk around the lake to wind down and relax. Certain areas have been improved, cleaned up and added a bee sanctuary. No dogs! You will be ticketed and kicked out.

It's no secret that Hollywood is noisy. Traffic is incessant in areas like Highland Ave, and Hollywood Blvd has tourist spots up the wazoo. The Hollywood Reservoir is not exactly a secret, but it's a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. There's a 3.5 mile (mostly paved) loop around the reservoir, though much of the view of the water is obscured by trees. The view is best at the south end, where the path traverses the Mulholland Dam and offers a scenic view of the reservoir with the Hollywood Sign in the background. There's a moderate amount of parking at the south end, but it's also possible to get there on foot if you don't mind walking along narrow winding residential streets for 1.5 miles. At the trailhead is a water fountain and a couple portable toilets, and along the path are some benches and a pollinator garden, though I didn't see any bees when we visited in November. Traffic noise here is faint to negligible. If you're like me and prefer natural serenity to the chaos of urban life, then this is your place!

This is a nice flat 3 mile course that's mostly paved. It's always deceptively cool when I come here; even though it's sunny, there's lots of shade here to make it chilly as I walk. There is a small part where you walk on a dirt path as the cars next to your zig zag around the reservoir, but nothing too scary. To get to the parking on Lake Hollywood Drive, you do have to go through some of the hills and possibly make sharp narrow turns. If that's not fun for you, it's probably better to get someone else to drive. This time I went I could see little bursts of spring here and there- wildflowers, butterflies, it was so pretty! Looking forward to more walks this spring.

As good as it gets! It's like a little forest in the city. Parking was a nightmare, but doable with patience. Just make sure you aren't parked near the 5 minute loading area. A kind pedestrian told me I would get towed, so I moved to a safer spot. It was a chilly, spring morning. Sun was out for a short bit, then it tucked behind some clouds. I came prepared; layered of course! Walking and talking is what we do! Beautiful views with chilly, crisp air (after a rain). The paved road was free of trash...with a few cans that we saw. lol Overall, I was impressed how clean everything looked. Lots of great people watching and friendly dogs. Although dogs weren't allowed they were adorable to look at. Great views, great company, and an excellent 3 mile walk!

One of my running buddies wanted to go to brunch but were looking for a place to get a couple of miles in. I suggested Lake Hollywood as I had never been here before and she had. Well we got lost trying to get here lol... So make sure you map it out before you get to the hills... Parking: 5/5 Plenty of street parking but I would just be careful as there was glass from broken windows ... Don't bring any valuables and if you do make sure you hide it away really good. We parked up the street to get a good start running down the hill... Like a warm up.. Trail: 5/5 Easy, flat 3.5 mile loop and we did it twice to hit 7 miles... Very clean and paved.... We arrived around 8:30 a.m.There were lots of people walking, running and on bikes. Everyone was minding their business as we were also. Views: 5/5 Beautiful views of the Hollywood sign, lake, nearby mountains and the Wisdom tree... Just a breath of fresh air and the relaxing feeling of being one with nature.. We ran twice to complete 7 miles and felt relaxed even though I was five minutes away from that crazy 101 freeway and the Barham exit... This will be on rotation for my runs as it is easy to figure out your run and mileage... This place is also a nice place to bring out and impress some of your of town visitors.

Hollywood Reservoir has plenty of parking. Very scenic and offers very easy to more challenging hikes.

What a picturesque hike above Hollywood! I've gone here many times, and always enjoyed the feeling of getting away from it all in a busy city. The views of the Hollywood sign are great (tell any tourist to come here rather than try to drive up a crazy, hectic street). You can easily walk or jog around the entire flat, 3.5 loop. The crowds can be light during the week. You can park at the main entrance on the northeast side via Lake Hollywood or venture up from the city via Weidlake Dr. There's movie history here, too ("Chinatown" was shot here among others). On any given day, you might even spot a celebrity. Note: it can be hot in the summer, as there is not much shade.

Always a great time for a nice walk/hike around the reservoir. Plenty of parking along the main road. Depending on what side you enter from. The whole loop is 3 and half miles. Very easy which everything is on a road. There's also a different entrance that will lead you to a trail that could get you closer to the sign. Depending on time, deers can been seen feeding along the trails and on the other side of the fence. Beautiful place for an afternoon stroll or for a great workout. There's always plenty of people walking and running but the path is wide enough that your not in anyone's way.

3.5 miles just around the river bend! This was a great place to take a stroll amongst the trees with friends. A 3.5 mile loop of fresh air and sun. I'd suggest getting a head start on the trail at sunrise or before, because the area heats up pretty quickly. The lake is beautiful and tantalizing particularly on a hot day, but not to be touched so be sure to arm yourself with water and sunscreen. (Barbed wire outlines the circumference of the lake). You might also consider a visor or sun hat. You can also catch glimpses of the Hollywood sign from a few different angles around the loop. Families and friends of all ages, bike riders tall and small, runners, and pets all populate the dirt trek. As a hike, I'd say the level of difficulty is easy, probably 2 or 3/10. No extreme inclines or declines. I did spot at least 4 port-a-potties-- 2 at the start of the trail and 2 mid-trail. They were pretty clean. Parking can was pretty easy, just beware that steep streets surround the trail. So when parking, don't forget to turn those front wheels! Lastly, you'll want to park on the street near the gate to the reservoir path.

Lovely place for a stroll or run. Great views of the reservoir lake, deer, and the Hollywood sign without any crowds.

We wanted to try the WonderView trail but when we go there, the gate was lock and we checked the map to see there was another trail nearby which is the Lake Hollywood Reservoir. There is street parking that can fill up quickly on the weekend so make sure to come early! It took about 2 hours to walk around the reservoir and there are porta potties available if you need to restroom. There is a sink inside which is a plus! There is also a great view by the bridge of the hollywood sign. Easy stroll. I just did not enjoy driving through the curvy neighborhood streets on the way out of that area.

One of my favorite places for a local "get away". I love this nature walk! The path is flat so it's not a hike by any means, but I love it as a long leisurely walk. Plus, there is a good chance you'll see some friendly deer! Beautiful views of the reservoir and of the Hollywood sign too. This is a great place to grab a coffee and go for a walk and talk with friends. I personally have come here with a few of my mom friends and we can all walk side by side with strollers. The path is spacious! The only downside is that there are no places to sit or get water along the path. So plan accordingly! There are porta pottys if you need them along the trail! Once you are off of the paved part, you are on a skinny trail alongside the road so keep your wits about you! For a stroller, it's best if yours can handle some rocks/bumps. Otherwise, I recommend turning around and back tracking. I've never had a hard time finding parking here either but I usually come on the early side. This is also not a dog friendly path, so leave the pooches at home.

WHAT A GORGEOUS PLACE TO WALK! =============================== How has it taken me so long to walk around the Lake Hollywood Reservoir? My friend and I walked the 3.4 mile loop around the Hollywood Reservoir on Monday, October 3, 2022 and I absolutely loved every last minute! Better late than never I guess. I picked up my friend in Burbank and we headed over to the Hollywood Hills via Barham with a left turn on Lake Hollywood Drive. The homes up the hill on this street are just gorgeous. Parking was easy with a big sign and a right turn leading down to the reservoir. Just after starting our counter clockwise loop my friend and I were greeted by the sweetest two deer on the other side of the fence. I could have just given them a big hug if not separated by the fence. They looked friendly. I am not joking. Happy 100th anniversary to the Hollywood sign that is getting new paint. I seriously loved the walk around and cannot believe I haven't done it before. It's going on my rotation after this.

Beautiful reservoir, one of the best views I've ever seen in Los Angeles. Nice trail to jog or walk around.

5 stars for a reservoir? You bet. In one of the nation's, in fact the world's, biggest cities, this is a mostly peaceful oasis. And you get SPECTACULAR views of the Hollywood sign. You will likely be closer to the sign than you ever have been before. It's a 3.5 mile completely flat, easy walk around the reservoir. You can't get lost because it's a loop. Give yourself 60-90 minutes total to walk the whole loop. There is mucho free parking along Lake Hollywood Drive. There are a couple of other entrances to the reservoir but this one is your best bet. The reservoir is surrounded by a forest. Seriously. You're just a mile or so from the insanity of Hollywood. Crazy, right? Unfortunately, we only saw one squirrel and no deer. There were a few ducks and a ton of seagulls in the lake. You're going to be taking photographs of the Hollywood sign. Don't take then through the fence. Just wait until you get to the bridge. Be patient and trust me. This place is well worth a visit. It is one of those LA experiences which feels totally unlike LA. Just do it.

Pleasantly surprised this reservoir existed in the hills! My nephew lives in Sunland and we needed to find a nice flat path to complete a portion of the Virtual Great Aloha Run on February 21, 2022. Along the perimeter of the reservoir is a 3.5 mile paved loop (Montlake Dr.), so we popped the location into our Maps app and headed over. Luckily, we found parking at the corner of Lake Hollywood Dr & Tahoe Dr, which is close to one of its entrances and less than a 1-mile walk to Lake Hollywood Park. Beautiful walking weather that day! Love the lush green scenery and shady trees on the trail. Pets aren't allowed due to the wild animals in the area, you know, like mountain lions and black bears! Lots of runners, walkers, and bikers. Keep your eye out for the HOLLYWOOD sign!!! What a bonus!!!

Who knew there's a hidden oasis in Los Angeles and how did it take me so long to hear about it?? We all know of Runyon Canyon, the place to be seen and see famous faces. Well this is your relaxing, get away from the bustle alternative. The path is a flat 3.5 mile loop, family and bike friendly (but not pet friendly). Deer reside here and you can get up close since they are used to humans admiring their grace and beauty. The bridge offers amazing views. Be sure to read the plaque about the dam's fascinating history. I was surprised to find parking easily on a warm weekend. My only criticism is to have the different entrances labeled for newcomers. My friend and I parked separately far from each other and it took us almost an hour to find each other. Great way to soak in the outdoors for free!

Lake Hollywood Reservoir is my favorite not-so-secret gem for a leisurely hike in Los Angeles. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, this clean and quiet reservoir boasts breathtaking views of the Hollywood sign and pristine blue reservoir. The main loop is an easy 3.5 miles of flat, paved walking area at Canyon Lake Drive. Hikers also have the option of climbing to two opposing vista points-- Wonder View Trailhead and Hollywood Sign Viewpoint. There is a free small parking lot at the entrance, and limited street parking by each trailhead. I've never had trouble finding a spot, but just be careful when you drive on the very narrow roads. Pets are not allowed, but that doesn't stop people from walking their pooches. Only service animals and miniature horses are allowed, so one day I hope to see someone riding their pony.

Respect the wildlife please!!!! Do not feed the Deer. You're doing harm that way. No dogs. No one is exempt. If you're emotionally disabled ... walk with a friend, not your dog

Beautiful reservoir in the heart of Hollywood. Parking is a nightmare on the weekend, but this 3.5 mile loop might just be worth it- it was beautiful! A paved flat concrete path pretty much all the way- great walk for those who dislike inclines or hill/mountain hiking. Definitely coming back again and again!

Nice little walk, stroll. This isn't really a hike. But it will your cardio going. The walk is very easy with a beautiful view of the reservoir water and dam. Also a great view of downtown la on the right path side.

This is one of my favorite places in Los Angeles. As a Hollywood native, this specifically one of my favorite places in Hollywood as well. I have been coming here for decades. It is where I have been teaching my daughter to walk and to ride her bike. It holds a special place in my heart. Why you should come here? There are few places in LA that are closed to cars where you can walk, run, and bike and have great views of the city and the Hollywood sign. I come here with my daughter and push her stroller around as many others do. There are tons of little kids learning to ride their bikes safely. When my daughter is not with me I like to run around the loop. It is roughly a 3.5 mile loop that is completely flat. About 3 miles of it are completely closed to cars. The highlight of the ride is the bridge which gives you views of the reservoir and the Hollywood sign. The reservoir has three entrances actually. 1 - the Lake Hollywood Dr gate which has free parking on the super steep hill. 2 - The gate with the "Hollywood gate" close to the Lake Hollywood Park. This is in a residential neighborhood and the least popular opening. 3 - The Weidlake Drive gate. This is the 2nd most popular parking spot. It has quite a bit of free parking but you will drive narrow streets to get there. If you want an address to pop into the GPS you can nav to: 6399 Weidlake Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068, USA. The reservoir is a great launching point for bike rides up to the Hollywood sign. It is also a good launching point if you want to hike up to the Hollywood sign or add on Griffith park (long hike). This is a truly wonderful trail. It is run and owned by DWP and there are security guards (usually two cars) that go around. You will see deer at certain parts of the day which is really nice. You should definitely note that the opening / closing times vary by year. (I have attached a picture of the sign with the hours in my pictures)Sometimes it closes at 5pm in the winter while other parts of the years it is open as late at 7 or 8pm. This is an absolute gem in the city. Enjoy!

Awesome spot to view Hollywood sign so close. Very hidden gem. I live in LA for 25yrs, just found out about this spot. Loop around the reservoir hike is peaceful nothing super amazing, just good flat walk, mostly the view is just fences. About 20-30mns wrap around. Easy free parking. Good to bring people from out of state.

I love coming here for a peaceful stroll. The views are always pretty, and I usually don't have trouble finding a parking spot. It is a little bit of drive since it's up in the hills, but it's well worth it.

Great place for a walk, the reservoir is pretty and you can do a little bit of birdwatching. Not a great place for a picnic, but there's a park a short distance up the hill for that if you want.

Stunning Views and Great Picture Opportunities! *No public access to the water I come here a few times a week always at different times. The gates open at 6:30am and close around sundown. The trail is around 3.5 miles long majority is on paved concrete. I walk at a moderate pace so it takes me around 45 minutes to an hour. Parking is free and very plentiful. Great for walking, biking, or running.. if you are very ambitious. You get a great view of the reservoir, Hollywood sign and I have even seen deer a few times. If you go in the evening or morning you will have plenty of shade however during the middle of the day be prepared to have the sun beating down. The crowds also get large depending on what time you go. There are always security guards present so it is a very safe environment and other walkers are respectful wearing masks and keeping a good distance away. Portapotties can also be found around a mile and a half in each direction as well as a few public drinking fountains. Keep in mind that for over half the hike you will lose your cellphone service. I did take off one star since they close very early, and because they don't allow dogs. Overall 8 out of 10!

I grew up in Silver Lake and this reservoir reminds me of it a lot. Since it was my first time I wasn't sure what to expect. Once around the lake is about 4 miles; most of it is around the lake and there's a small portion of the path that is on the street. There's plenty of parking that is on a hill. So be cautious if you're not comfortable parking on hills. There's a dirt path that'll get you a great picture in front of the Hollywood sign as well.

It's great! BUT LEAVE YOUR DOGS AT HOME! They are not allowed. A minimum of 7 signs and a few people still insist on bringing their pets. Deer and coyote use the paths, as well as snakes and a multitude of birds. KEEP THE PETS AT HOME and enjoy the lake.

I use to love this place but today I saw about 10 huge dogs walking around the lake with their owners. No security there and people just walking their dogs like it was okay. This is a NO DOG LAKE because of the wild life. Sad cause it use to be so peaceful here.

Slightly confusing to where the entrance is for the trail but I asked a few locals who helped me out. The trail is pretty big and there is a fence all around. Not too much shady areas so going when the sun is hot can be a bit overwhelming. They have lots of signs to keep your mask on and stay on the path. As you walk along you can see the resevor and the sign from a little afar. Very quiet path and peaceful. Sometimes you can see the deer.

I have done the Hollywood hike a few times, and I'm always shocked to see a ... wait is that a lake sitting in the middle of Hollywood?? Months later and I stumble upon the Lake Hollywood hike through The Hiking Guy. It's really a reservoir, but boy am I glad I checked this out! Entry is really easy, you can use the lake Hollywood north gate as a starting point and park along the road. At first, I was sketched because the entrance smells like a porta potty, and you walk along a chain link fence for a while. Suddenly, to your left the gate ends and you're left with a stunning view of the reservoir and the Hollywood sign. This took me about an hour with a mixture of jogging, walking and talking photos. I would highly recommend, but make sure you go before the gate closes!!

Hidden, fresh water. Can you believe you're just a few minutes from the sunset strip up here? Great view of the Hollywood sign is here and it's a neat spot to see from the movie buff location. Tons of films have had snippets shot here. We enjoyed walking the area, reading the plaques about the held water weight etc. plenty of birds for the ornithology enthusiast. I highly recommend if you are a city dweller & want a break from the concrete. It's a tucked away bit of bliss walking the trail around the waters edge.

This is my favorite place to get a workout in at! I love how peaceful it is in the morning during the week. I highly recommend this, especially during fall/winter in LA. There are usually less tourists and it's much calmer. Awesome view of the Hollywood sign when you get to the bridge! It's about 3 miles all the way around. Do not come here on the weekend unless you want to be there with a big crowd! Only downside, the trail is not dog friendly but you will still see dogs all over the place

This is one of my favorite places to visit in LA. The walk circles the reservoir and gives you a perfect view of the Hollywood sign without being overcrowded from tourists. Although the sky gets very pretty during sunset, be warned that they lock the gates right after sunset and that there are two sets of gates to get through if you want to complete the loop. We got stuck in between the two gated sections and had to take an uber back to our car, but it was still better than the people who were stuck inside the gates and had to climb out over a barbed wire fence. They have a sign that does say they close at sunset but the text is in very tiny print under larger text labeling the entrances of the reservoir.

I'd love to scream from the rooftops how much I love the Hollywood Reservoir and loop. I came upon the reservoir by chance after moving to the Beachwood Canyon area. After going on an aimless hike, I saw what appeared to be an immense area of calm and serene land surrounding a vast lake. I came through a back hiking trail which led me to what is know as "The Loop." "The Loop" is just under 3.5 miles of paved walkway that travels around the reservoir. At certain times of the day, you can see deer with their fawns, rabbits, lizards, birds and a lot of other wildlife. There are portable restrooms located in two locations on opposite ends of the track as well as drinking fountains. A great benefit! There are areas of bright sun as well as shade, so I recommend bringing sunscreen and a hat if you are prone to sunburns as I am. There's limited parking at the front main entrance at the Dam, but you may also find street parking at the two other rear locations. There's is also a side hiking trail that leads up to Beachwood Canyon's breathtaking views and historic homes. I exercise here regularly and often see bike riders, joggers, rollerbladers, families and friends alike. I live this beautiful hidden gem nestled in the middle of bustling Hollywood.

Surprisingly, a lake that exists right in LA. There is a trail that loops around Lake Hollywood and that's about 3.3 miles total. Parking is on the side of the streets just before the "Hollywood Reservoir North Gate". The bad: Metal fences with barbwire surrounds ~3/4 of the lake. You won't be able to take any good photos until you reach the halfway point which is the dam. The good: Very nice view of the lake and Hollywood sign. Saw a deer behind the fence.

Lovely hike or walk (since it's paved). The reservoir is beautiful plus you get to see a great view of the city as well as the Hollywood sign. ENTRANCE: There are multiple entrances to start the hike which lightens the parking load. We used the Lake Hollywood Drive entrance. I just plugged in "Lake Hollywood Drive" into my GPS and it brought me to the right place (check the map, the reservoir is easy to find). About halfway through, we saw another trail entrance (not sure what it's called or how to get there). DIRECTION: We did the trail counter-clockwise as I saw a tip somewhere. This allows you to walk toward the Hollywood sign. PARKING: Plenty of street parking on Lake Hollywood Drive. DOGS: Not allowed aside from service dogs. TIPS: Bring water. Not much shade so the sun will get you.

The greatest spot to get your steps in, in a beautiful environment. Place used to be a lot less crowded than other local outdoor spots (ie Runyon, Griffith) but I suppose in a crazy year with limited things to do, everyone is forced to explore the hidden gems. Really, it only comes into play at particularly gram-worthy moments (ie when the tourists converge to take pics with the Hollywood sign in the background). For the most part, you can easily spread out over the 3.3 mile trail. I don't consider this a hike since it's flat and paved - walking up the hill back to your car is the most physically taxing part. It's a pleasant walk around the reservoir and you are guaranteed to see all manner of wildlife - beautiful flora and fauna; geese, ducks, and other birds; lizards; turtles; Instagram influencers. If you're lucky, maybe even deer. It's the wilderness, baby. Wear a mask, give everyone space, take in the serene settings, and for the love of god DON'T bring your dog. I love dogs and if I see your dog I will be momentarily happy but will judge you. The lake is emergency drinking water, and when the apocalypse hits we all deserve to not be drinking dog piss runoff.

Paved, flat for bikes, strollers & people that can't tolerate an incline. I had a birthday hike here a few years back and all ages from fit people in their 20s to 70 year olds enjoyed the experience! I told my friends to carpool since we had to walk quite a ways to get to the entrance because parking was very limited

Been to this spot once on a Saturday morning at 9ish AM. Parking was easy to find. The drive up gets narrow so be prepared to drive slower than expected and allow cars to make their way down. The walk is perfect if you want to stroll with the family (bike, stroller friendly) , run, or catch up with a friend with a coffee in hand. 80% of it is paved. There is one part where you will cross the street to walk on a dirt sidewalk and then need to cross again to get back to the reservoir route. Make sure you cross the street. For some reason, I thought that if I stayed on the same side, there would be space on the street, but I was wrong. Cross the street. The walk here is also wide which is perfect for social distancing. There is some shade on the path, but most of the time you'll be in the sun. There are signs that say dogs are not allowed, but this being LA, there are dogs there. 99% of people there had a mask on and provided ample space when walking close to others. It is amazing how self-aware and respectable everyone was when we came. Loved it!

Really lovely place to run/walk. You'll see beautiful nature, including the lake, the hills, deer, and lizards. Also great views of the Hollywood sign. However, no cell service, it closes before sunset, and parts are muddy in the winters.

Kenzie found a bunny! We were hiking along this fabulous engineering creation when we heard a noise. I was afraid it would be a snake and hoping that it was a deer. Kenzie looked closely and exclaimed that it was a bunny!!! So cute!!! My goal was to find the California bear heads that decorate the arches on the side of a bridge. We couldn't even find the entrance, so we stopped on the side of the road in front of the gate to The Hollywood Estates. A nice man approached us and asked if we needed help. We showed him a photo of the bear heads and he described a hike and shared a bit about Mr. Mulholland and the history of the reservoir. Wait a minute... Hike? Oh oh... we weren't prepared. Luckily, Kenzie had sneakers and a bottle of water in her car. It sounded doable...maybe a little over a mile. Thank goodness the hike is a paved road and has sections of shade and a cool breeze along the way. It took about 24 minutes to get to the California bear heads. There is an emergency phone and a small building next to that bridge. The bonus was seeing the Hollywood Sign without the chain link fence at that point! You'll have a great photo and a clear shot. It's awesome! I'd go again to see more bunnies and hopefully a deer or two... let's go! Mother Nature is really beautiful!

I used to come here a lot when I lived in Hollywood and wanted a diversion from doing Runyan all the time. This was before iPhone maps and I used a Thomas Guide (lol) to figure out the complicated tangle of streets in the Hollywood Hills before I realized that it was so much easier to go to just go through Barham to Lake Hollywood Drive. It was especially better if needing to explain to people how to meet you there. The trail around the lake is about 3.5 miles. It's a flat cement trail so Lake Hollywood is more for a run or walk than a hike. The walk itself isn't that impressive as it could be because there is a fence around the lake so it's not like you can get close and see it unobstructed though the part where the bridge overlooks the lake with views of the Hollywood Sign to the North and the city to the South is beautiful and a great place for photos and to take out of town guides. I think they filmed Kyle walking here once on a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills episode. It was years before I realized there is a dirt trail near the bridge part that goes up a ridge and you get better views of the lake. This trail takes you to Canyon Lake Drive right where the tourist buses stop for pictures of the Hollywood Sign. From here you can make this a longer hike by going to the Hollywood Sign or Tree of Life.

A nice trail for an hour of easy walk, nice lake and mountain view , especially with the Hollywood sign! There are houses on the hilltop with interesting and unique designs to satisfy your viewing pleasure. The dam top is historic design with sculptures. Some sections are shaded and that helps. We entered from the west side on Lake Hollywood Drive and came out from the east, be warned: the east exit took some walk to get back to your parked car and there is quite a few fast cars coming at you along the way! Next time we will return inside the park on same trail.

Being an LA native, I never visited the Lake Hollywood Reservoir. It is truly a hidden gem. It is such a nice and tranquil place to run/walk with beautiful scenery around the lake. You have stunning views of the Hollywood sign, the Lake and the hills with mansions on top. The perimeter around the reservoir is about 3.2 miles which is a tad longer than a 5k run. The flat and paved road make it an ideal training area for a 5K. It's a great place to run!

INITIAL VISIT: I first came here in February of 1989 after flying in from Hawaii. I was a triathlete training for my very first marathon - The Los Angeles Marathon (03.05.89). I was staying on Franklin @ the Highland Gardens (where Janis Joplin died) near the intersection of Orange, so it wasn't too far away. I took my time the first time I came to the lake. The most daunting part was making my way up, up, up to the south entrance, which is near the Mulholland Dam. On my first counterclockwise loop I ran into my first and only Hollywood celebrity in a public setting (or a darn good look alike), we shared some words and that made my day. On an athletic note, I returned a few different times until I could run there nonstop plus a lap or two and then walk down the hill before jogging back to my hotel. NOWADAYS: I come here every few weeks to break of the monotony of walking in L.A. or a change of pace from the crowded parks south of the city or trails in Grifffith. THE ROUTE: At a distance around the lake is approximately 3.5 miles and that comes with an elevation change of 50 feet. Yes, this is a simple route to navigate, unless you challenge yourself to start down around Franklin. Then you are looking at a 300+ foot walk/run up hill to begin your workout (then back down to finish). FLORA: I love that this is tucked away enough that your only audible reminder of civilization is the buzzing of the tourist helicopters delivering droves of folks to see the Hollywood sign. The pines that reach ever so skyward litter the ground with pine needles and lend a wonderful aroma to the route around the lake. The coniferous trees are not the only types you will find here. No, not at all, you will also find deciduous trees as well. Additionally, there are plenty of succulents and flowers of every hue dotting the landscape in a Seurat-esque way. FAUNA: Near to sunset there is a good chance you will see deer either on the multi-use paved pathway or as you serpentine your way through the Hills. You may also see scrub jays, coots, herons, seagulls, hawks, California thrashers, red-tailed hawks, white-throated swifts (near the dam), Orioles, woodpeckers, ravens, hummingbirds, rabbits, squirrels, coyotes, lizards and crawly insects, bugs, etc... ranging from ants to spiders to bees. RECOMMENDATIONS: Holidays and weekends can be a capacity experience, as foretold by the parking over on Lake Hollywood Drive (Google will take you over here and then keep on going right past the lake ... I am not sure what joker programmed that into the net). Personally, I am more of a fan of parking at the top of Weidlake Drive, midweek, toward the evening. WARNING: If you have a car with low clearance park on the left side of the paved Weidlake Drive roadway and do not pull into the parking area. Erosion has wreaked havoc on the dirt lot, exposing many a rock that is hungry for an oil pan or muffler. Play it smart. Park on the pavement.

Nice walking spot with some (not a lot) shade and a nice view of the Hollywood sign from the bridge about 1-2 miles in :)

Wow wow wow incredibly beautiful and gorgeous!! I can just imagine coming here after rainfall! It's so beautiful here I loved it! I'm a SoCal LA local but never have been here and I am glad I came. The loop is pavement and a little bit over 3 miles & if you want to extend your workout you can do laps. It's a perfect place to come for a walk with the family, I seen a few tourist but not many. Does anyone know why the architecture of the dam has dog heads (sta on it? Recently visited here again yesterday on a much hotter day and just be aware there are lots of ticks!! My husband got into our truck to leave and he had a tick on the back of his shirt! Be aware!! Look out for your dogs and small children and elders!!

What a hike. I was going there solo and it was definitely something you have to experience while I'm Hollywood. I never knew it was there and I've lived there my whole life. Check out some of the pictures I took from the hike route. Went through the whole trail about one hour and a half hike.