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Los Angeles has dozens of quirky attractions. From the magical Garden of Oz, fully decked out with a yellow brick road and thrones, to the Hollywood Sculpture Garden with over 100 sculptures, the City of Angels is full of unique places that lure locals and tourists. And the Mt Hollywood Tunnel is one of those iconic locations.
Even though it’s not much to see, its fame from decades of cinematography still draws visitors daily. Let’s examine why you should add this famous tunnel to your road trip itinerary!
What Is the Mt Hollywood Tunnel?
Griffith Park has appeared in hundreds of films over the years. Mt Hollywood Tunnel isn’t as famous as the Bronson Cave, located just 13 minutes away, but it has appeared in its own number of movies.
It takes about 10 seconds to drive through the tunnel, even though it seems as if it’s miles and miles long when viewed in films.
The Mt Hollywood Tunnel isn’t grand or extravagant in appearance. In fact, there’s nothing special about it at all except that it has been part of Hollywood productions for decades.
What Movies Have Been Filmed at the Mt Hollywood Tunnel?
The Bronson Cave is probably most famous for its appearance in the 1960s “Batman” series.
But the Mt Hollywood Tunnel is probably most well-known for the “Back to the Future II” scene where Marty rides his hoverboard to try and get the almanac back from Biff.
Another famous sighting is in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” Other movies in which the tunnel makes an appearance include “Bumblebee, The Hit List,” “L.A. Bounty,” “Barton Fink,” and others.
In addition, the tunnel appeared in television series episodes like “Starsky and Hutch,” “Lethal Weapon,” “The Rookies,” and more.
Where Is the Mt Hollywood Tunnel?
The Mt Hollywood Tunnel lies just west of Interstate 5 on the northwestern side of Los Angeles. It runs through Griffith Park connecting East Observatory Road and West Observatory Road.
The North Vermont Canyon Road leads into the east side of the tunnel, while Western Canyon Road leads into the west side. The popular Griffith Observatory lies less than half a mile south of the tunnel.
Can You Drive Through the Mt Hollywood Tunnel?
The Mt Hollywood Tunnel is a working tunnel used by drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. However, drivers must proceed with caution because cyclists and pedestrians frequently travel through the tunnel.
Once you drive through it, turn onto one of the Observatory Roads to the Griffith Observatory, where you can get a great view of the Hollywood sign. This is a trendy area of Los Angeles, so you might encounter crowds and tourists.
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What Other Unique Roadside Attractions Are Nearby?
When you visit the Mt Hollywood Tunnel, many other unique attractions nearby to make it an afternoon of roadside stopovers. Here are some other stops to make while visiting the area.
The Ennis House
Like the tunnel, the Ennis House, completed in 1924, also appears in many films. Famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright built the house in the Mayan Revival style using over 27,000 blocks.
Although it’s a private residence, the house is easily visible from the Los Feliz hills. However, it is closed to the public for restoration. It’s about a 6-minute drive from the Mt Hollywood Tunnel.
Los Feliz Murder Mansion
Another unique roadside attraction is the Loz Feliz Murder Mansion. On December 6, 1959, Dr. Harold Perelson beat his wife to death with a hammer, severely injured his 18-year-old daughter, and then committed suicide.
Although the house has changed owners over the years, no one has stayed in it. Instead, the interior looks like it’s been frozen in time. You can’t enter the house, as it’s private property.
But if you’re brave enough to explore the mansion’s exterior, it’s about a 4-minute drive from the Mt Hollywood Tunnel.
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Tesla Coil
Finally, while at the Griffith Observatory, taking a photo of the iconic Hollywood sign, visit the Tesla Coil. About every hour on the hour, lightning discharges, wowing tourists with giant arcs and zapping noises.
In the early 1900s, Dr. Fredrick Finch Strong began experimenting with high-voltage therapies. Later, he would donate the major coil components to the city of Los Angeles. It has remained on display at the Griffith Observatory since 1937.
Add the Mt Hollywood Tunnel to Your Next SoCal Road Trip
When out exploring the Hollywood Walk of Fame, catching a Lakers game, or enjoying the thrills of Hollywood Studios, don’t stop at just the city’s main attractions. More unique adventures await you as you venture just a few miles northwest.
The Mt Hollywood Tunnel takes just a few seconds to drive through, and the other roadside attractions like the Ennis House and Loz Feliz Murder Mansion won’t take much time either.
So it’s worth taking an hour or so to drive to the Hollywoodland neighborhood and Griffith Park to explore these unique attractions.
Do you like exploring iconic locations like the Mt Hollywood Tunnel?
