As the Hollywood Sign turns 100, the Mail has exclusive access to admire the dazzling 45ft-high letters up close on a trip that shows Los Angeles is as starry and wacky as ever.
Thomas W. Hodgkinson says that Los Angeles has "always been the city of the new." During his visit, he received special permission to climb the Hollywood sign. READ MORE: Photo book reveals the world's most amazing remote places
Few people can boast of having climbed the Hollywood sign. Off-limits to the general public, the nine white corrugated iron letters stand 45 feet high on Mount Lee, which overlooks the city of Los Angeles.
Like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or Big Ben in London, the sign tells you where you are - except, with the American franchise, it spells it literally.
This year the monument celebrates its 100th anniversary, which is why I have special permission to visit it. I once admired him from afar, lying by the rooftop pool at the chic Thompson Hollywood hotel. I am now at the security gate above the sign, where I am admitted by the brilliant president of the Hollywood Sign Trust, Jeff Zarrinnam.
Luckily, I will not be boarded by an LAPD helicopter and fined $10,000. Clinging to a rope for safety, we descend the steep, slippery slope until we reach the mighty H. From there, it's easy to wander from letter to letter, admiring the size and dazzling whiteness of the steel , who recently received a birthday painting.
'Can I climb on it?' I ask. After a pause, Mr. Zarrinnam agrees. As I climb into the back of the second L, my head pops out and I look out at the expanse of Los Angeles. Los Angeles, including Holly...
Few people can boast of having climbed the Hollywood sign. Off-limits to the general public, the nine white corrugated iron letters stand 45 feet high on Mount Lee, which overlooks the city of Los Angeles.
Like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or Big Ben in London, the sign tells you where you are - except, with the American franchise, it spells it literally.
This year the monument celebrates its 100th anniversary, which is why I have special permission to visit it. I once admired him from afar, lying by the rooftop pool at the chic Thompson Hollywood hotel. I am now at the security gate above the sign, where I am admitted by the brilliant president of the Hollywood Sign Trust, Jeff Zarrinnam.
Luckily, I will not be boarded by an LAPD helicopter and fined $10,000. Clinging to a rope for safety, we descend the steep, slippery slope until we reach the mighty H. From there, it's easy to wander from letter to letter, admiring the size and dazzling whiteness of the steel , who recently received a birthday painting.
'Can I climb on it?' I ask. After a pause, Mr. Zarrinnam agrees. As I climb into the back of the second L, my head pops out and I look out at the expanse of Los Angeles. Los Angeles, including Holly...
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