Right in the middle of Hollywood, under the world-famous Hollywood sign lies a truly beautiful and peaceful lake known as Lake Hollywood or Lake Hollywood Reservoir. The reservoir is located in the Hollywood Hills. These hills are part of the Santa Monica Mountains just north of the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is maintained by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Lake Hollywood –
The Mulholland Dam created the reservoir in 1924. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, previously named the Bureau of Water Works and Supply, designed it as part of the city’s water storage and supply system. Delving into the history of Lake Hollywood Reservoir highlights its contribution to Los Angeles’ water system.
Lake Hollywood Park, the surrounding recreational area, offers opportunities for walking, hiking, and jogging. A flat, paved road encircles the reservoir, providing an ideal route for walking and bicycling.
This 3.5-mile loop circles a peaceful fence-enclosed reservoir in the hills below the Hollywood Sign. The lake has several coves and inlets that give it a natural look. When standing on the Dam/bridge on the opposite side from the lake side, you get a sweeping view of Hollywood through a thick pine forest.
How to get there! There are at least 3 entry points to Lake Hollywood Reservoir.
The northwest gate
The first entrance is easily accessible from both the 101 freeway and Burbank. Just follow Barham Blvd. to Lake Hollywood Drive. Follow the winding road up to the top of the hill to the intersection of Wonder View Dr. Marvel at the wonderful panoramic view of the lake and the dam with Los Angeles in the background. Start down the hill to the gate, and you will find available roadside parking on both sides of Lake Hollywood Drive. The proper address to find the North Gate is 2600 Lake Hollywood Dr., Hollywood, CA 90068. This is a great starting point for accessing the Lake Hollywood Reservoir area.
Weidlake Gate
A second entry point to the lake would be the Weidlake Gate. This is an alternate gate located on the Hollywood side of the lake. This South Gate has a nice parking area but it is full of ruts and potholes so be careful. It is right next to the dam which is the most scenic spot of the lake. Getting there is more difficult, however. Take North Cahuenga Blvd. to Dix St. Left off Dix Street is Holly Drive. Follow that up into the hills until you come to Weidlake Dr. Follow Weidlake to the end and you will find the parking lot, the gate, a porta-potty, and the scenic dam. This entry point provides another way to experience the beauty of Lake Hollywood Reservoir.
The Tahoe Gate
The third entrance point is the Tahoe gate just off where Lake Hollywood Dr. meets up with Tahoe Drive. The entrance is the easternmost gate and the parking is limited to available spaces in the neighborhood. You can reach Tahoe gate by a few different ways that take you up Beachwood Canyon Drive. However, the easiest way is to follow Lake Hollywood Drive past the North gate. Continue around the lake for about 3/4 quarters of a mile and you will find the Tahoe gate. (pictured above) The Tahoe Gate offers additional access to scenic Lake Hollywood Reservoir.
Recent History –
A landslide forced crews to close portions of the trail in 2005. The road to the east of the reservoir reopened in 2009. However, the western side remained closed for repair work until 2013. This forced walkers, runners, cyclists and anyone else who entered the area from the East Gate off Lake Hollywood Drive or Weidlake Gates to turn around instead of completing the loop around the reservoir.
The landslides occurred after 35 inches of rain saturated soil along the perimeter road. The slides damaged private and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power property. This required $9.5 million worth of repairs on the hillside and road.
Lake Hollywood Hours
Lake Hollywood is closed at night. The gates are open Monday through Sunday, sunrise (about 6:30) till sunset. Be careful in the winter months because the sun sets early and so the park closes earlier as well. They lock the gates and it is really hard to get out. I have been stuck inside for an hour after closing myself. LADWP does have a guard who stays and checks the locked gates for knuckle-heads like me, but they are not pleasant about it. There are signs with the specific times for opening and closing at each gate so check those before you start out. Also, dogs are not permitted on the Lake Hollywood trail at all.
(Research for this story is courtesy of Wikiapedia, NBC LA, Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.)
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