Why You’ll Be Arrested for Visiting the Hollywood Sign

1923, workers hauled thousands of lightbulbs, steel beams, and lumber up a steep canyon to advertise a housing development called Hollywoodland. Meant to last just 18 months, the sign survived collapse, neglect, and decades of change — eventually transforming into one of America’s most recognizable landmarks.

But today, the Hollywood Sign is more than a cultural icon — it’s also a highly protected zone. In this episode, we explore how a real estate stunt became a pop symbol, why it was nearly torn down, and how modern-day visitors risk arrest just by getting too close.