This hour-long episode of California’s Gold, most likely first aired in 2007, takes a close look at one of California’s most iconic signs. Huell once again takes us where the general public is not allowed to go — although there are public hiking trails to the top of Mount Lee, where you can look over the back of the sign. The Hollywood Sign turned 100 years old in 2023, so I felt like it was time to take a look at the history of this symbol of California’s movieland dreams.

Join Huell Howser for this very special one-hour look at the world famous Hollywood Sign. Accompanied by Chris Baumgart and Linda Barth, Huell gets special permission from The Hollywood Sign Trust to actually climb up to and even sit on the sign. While perched on this landmark Huell learns the full history from 1923 till now from the people who work so hard to preserve this icon. He is then joined by Raiden Peterson who was part of the construction crew that rebuilt the sign in 1978. Raiden not only brings great memories and stories but an incredible collection of artifacts that he found when working on the sign including a lightbulb that still works! Finally Huell talks to a few pranksters, one of whom was part of a group that changed the sign to read CAL TECH. As always you’re invited to come on along as we learn how they did it!

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)