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There's A New Way To View The Hollywood Sign: A City Shuttle
The Hollywood Sign (Photo by Photo_tnmartin3 via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
Well, it'll be a lot easier getting a good shot of the Hollywood sign now. City officials announced that they'll be offering shuttle rides to the iconic L.A. landmark as part of a three-month pilot program launching on May 3.
Although Angelenos and tourists have obviously made their way up close to the popular sign before (but not without some hiking to do), it's never been an easy and straightforward trip—and this is the first time the city is doing something about it.
Every Saturday and Sunday until the end of July, the Department of Parks and Recreation will be bussing out folks every hour on a 21-passenger shuttle from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $7 a person from the Greek Theatre parking lot to a spot to view the Hollywood Sign and then to Griffith Observatory, according to a press release from the department. And if you're bringing a toddler with you that's 2 or under, it's free as long as the kid rides on your lap. You can check out the Griffith Observatory exhibit and programs for free too while you're out there.
People will get to view the Hollywood Sign from Mt. Hollywood Drive, which although isn't right up close to the sign, will still give offer some awesome views for photo ops, according to Curbed LA. If the pilot program is successful, the city will continue to run the shuttles all year-long.
The Department of Parks and Recreation says they're launching this program as a part of a way to alleviate the overwhelming traffic and bottle-necking that happens in the Hollywood Hills and Beachwood Canyon residential areas when tourists flock to the area to check out the sign.
Tony Fisch, a local resident, told the L.A. Times back in March about the increasing traffic problem: “It’s a regular goat rodeo up here on weekends. We’re feeling the brunt of it, and we really need help.”
Visit this website for more information on how to buy tickets to ride the shuttle.
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