🐻🎥WILD TO ICONIC: OLD ZOO TO HOLLYWOOD SIGN HIKE!!!🍕AWARD-WINNING PIZZA AFTER

Did you know Griffith Park’s Old Zoo was once home to LA’s first public zoo, operating from 1912 until 1966? Today, its abandoned cages and enclosures offer an eerie yet fascinating glimpse into the past. Meanwhile, towering above the city, the Hollywood Sign—originally built in 1923 as “Hollywoodland” to promote a real estate development—is, of course, one of the most famous landmarks in the world.

Join us for a 7-mile adventure with 1,322 feet of elevation gain as we trek from the ruins of the Old Zoo to the iconic Hollywood Sign. Expect rugged terrain, especially along the ridge between Mt. Chapel and Mt. Lee, where we’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views—a thousand feet down to the Hollywood foothills to the south and Forest Lawn Memorial Park to the north.

Our journey culminates at a spectacular viewpoint above and behind the Hollywood Sign, offering sweeping vistas of Lake Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory, and the entire LA skyline.

After the hike, we’ll head to Slice House Pizza in Burbank, home to award-winning pies from Chef Tony Gemignani.

📍 Meeting place: Merry-Go-Round Parking Lot 2 🎠🅿️
Google Maps
(We'll be on the steps at the far end of the lot.)

⏰ Meeting time: 12:00 PM, hike starts promptly at 12:30 PM.
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (rugged terrain, elevation gain). There is cell reception and if anyone wants to drop, they can use Google maps to navigate their way back to the car.
🚻 Bathrooms: Available near the parking lot.
🦮 Dog-friendly: Yes, but be prepared for some steep sections.

🍕Post-Hike Pizza: Slice House, 108 E Palm Ave, Burbank, CA 91502
Google Maps
🅿️ FREE parking in two structures on E Orange Grove Ave: (1) at the corner of N 1st St next to Islands restaurant, and (2) between N San Fernando Blvd and N 3rd St.

Legal Disclaimer: By joining this hike, you acknowledge that you assume all risks associated with participation. Meetup and the organizers are not responsible for your safety. Please review Meetup’s Terms of Service, particularly section 6.2.