Hollywoodland in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Hollywoodland Stairs

Photographed by Mary Ellen Coghlan, May 1999

1. Hollywoodland Stairs Marker

Inscription.
Hollywoodland's Granite Retaining Walls and Interconnecting Granite Stairs.
Built 1923. Declared 1991, Historic-Cultural Monument No. 535, City of Los Angeles, Cultural Heritage Commission, Cultural Affairs Department.

Erected 1991 by City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 535.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 34° 7.33′ N, 118° 19.306′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Hollywoodland. It is on Woodshire Drive just west of Beachwood Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2819 Woodshire Drive, Los Angeles CA 90068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

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and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lehman House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Withers Residence (about 700 feet away); Pierson Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Two Stone Gates (approx. 0.2 miles away); S.H. Woodruff Residence (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hollywood Reservoir (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Hollywood Cross (approx. 0.9 miles away); Samuel-Novarro House (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

More about this marker. There are six sets of stairs throughout the Hollywoodland development. This set of stairs is shown on maps as Hollywoodland Stairs, and as Saroyan Stairs.

Regarding Hollywoodland Stairs. Rising above the city of Los Angeles and situated below the famous Hollywood sign lie six stone stairways that connect the upper and lower portions of Beachwood Canyon’s winding streets. The steps, as with the stone gate are part of the original Hollywoodland residential development.

Hollywoodland Stairs and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

2. Hollywoodland Stairs and Marker

The enormous sign, with 45' high letters is situated atop Mt. Lee overlooking Hollywoodland and Los Angeles. The sign now reads “Hollywood” but when it was erected in 1923 in conjunction with the housing development it read “Hollywoodland”. After subsequent deterioration, the sign was shortened to “Hollywood” in 1949. The area however is still referred to as "Hollywoodland". In 1973, the Hollywood Sign was designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 111.

During the housing developments formative years, Italian masons constructed an extensive complex of retaining walls and the six granite stairways to facilitate access to the different upper and lower neighborhoods and preserve the integrity of the homes built in the Hollywood Hills. Local granite from the Union Rock Quarry was used for the walls and stairs as well as throughout the many residences. Today, many locals refer to the Union Rock Quarry as the “Bat Cave” as a portion of the quarry was used in the 1960’s Batman television series.

The stairs are an arduous climb and are adjoined by private residences. The Hollywoodland gate is situated at the entrance to Hollywoodland

View looking up a set of stairs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mary Ellen Coghlan, May 1999

3. View looking up a set of stairs

on Beachwood Drive.

Also see . . . The Hollywood Sign. The sign formerly read "Hollywoodland" (Submitted on June 6, 2010, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Manahawkin, New Jersey.)

Additional keywords. Hollywoodland Stairs, Hollywood, Beachwood Canyon

Hollywoodland Granite Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mary Ellen Coghlan, March 1998

4. Hollywoodland Granite Gate

See nearby marker - Two Stone Gates.

Beachwood Canyon Drive leading to the stairs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mary Ellen Coghlan, May 1999

5. Beachwood Canyon Drive leading to the stairs

The Hollywood Sign is visible in the distance.

View looking down a set of stairs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mary Ellen Coghlan, May 1999

6. View looking down a set of stairs

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2010, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Manahawkin, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 4,484 times since then and 73 times this year. Last updated on March 3, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on July 6, 2022. 2. submitted on July 6, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 5, 2010, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Manahawkin, New Jersey. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.