Van Rentals and Hollywood Sign

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 The Hollywood sign is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the U.S. and is worth a trip in your van rental. The Hollywood sign was put up in 1923 on the Hollywood Hills. Originally, it was supposed to be a giant ad for real estate in the area, but it soon became a symbol for the area and the movie industry. The original sign read “Hollywoodland”, with letters that were 50 feet high and 30 feet wide. It also had light bulbs to illuminate it. It was only supposed to stay up for a year as an ad, and soon fell into disrepair.

A troubled history
In 1932, actress Peg Entwistle committed suicide by jumping off the H. The Great Depression had greatly affected the entertainment industry, and she had no job and no money. Over the 1930s maintenance of the sign ended. By 1949, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce offered to remove the last four letters of the sign (LAND) and repair the rest. The light bulbs were removed. Since then, the sign has been properly maintained and is now a registered trademark that you can see with your van rental.

See your name in lights
It is illegal to alter the sign, but it has happened on a few occasions. It was lit up for the Millennium celebration, changed to HOLYWOOD for the arrival of Pope John Paul II in September 1987, OLLYWOOD in July 1987 during the Iran-Contra hearings, and FOX in April 1987 to promote the new TV network. It is currently against city policy to change the sign for commercial purposes. The neighborhood opposes it because of its significance and also because of potential accidents. This makes a great day trip in your van rental to see.

How to See the Sign
The Hollywood sign is easily visible from many parts of the city, but you can only get within 100 feet of the sign. Below are some of the best vantage points to see the sign around Hollywood in your van rental.

Hollywood & Highland – the Hollywood sign is the centerpiece of this intersection and the commercial center here. Levels 2-5 offer views of the sign, and there is public parking for your van rental at this complex..

Beechwood Canyon & Glen Holly – The real estate that the original sign was put up for was at the end of Beechwood Canyon. From here you get a nice view of the sign and the street lined with palm trees with your van rental.

Franklin Ave. & Gower – Franklin Ave. is just a few blocks from Sunset Strip. This area was once the hub of silent film industry and there was a lot of low-budget production companies set up there. Parking is available on the street for your van rental to explore the neighborhood.

Lake Hollywood – This location is a little farther away, and may be tricky with your van rental, but once you are there it is a great shot of the sign. There is a park here that you can get great shots from.