Signal Hill Hilltop Park

Signal Hill is located in the southernmost region of Los Angeles County. One of the few cities in the United States completely surrounded by one other city (Long Beach), it overlooks Long Beach Harbor, Long Beach Airport and much of LBC. Views extend to the Santa Monica Mountains, Catalina Island, and downtown Los Angeles.

Hilltop Park offers one of the best views in the LA area. The smoke signal in the center of the park alludes to the long history which inspired the naming of the city. Spanish immigrants called it Loma Sental and wrote in their records that around 1500, Puvuvitam Indians used the hill to signal their relations living 26 miles way on Pimu (Catalina Island). Creating smoke signals seen for miles, the fires were observed by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo when he sailed into the region called it the “Bay of Smokes”. Spanish Padres continued the tradition of building fires on the hill and today, the fire still burns symbolically at the Hilltop Park monument.

Also on view at Hilltop Park are several shadow art frames. A placard tells exactly what you are looking at through the frame. There are also photos and plaques with historical data. Picnic tables, public restrooms and paved walking paths at the park make it an enjoyable spot to visit.

Address

2351 Dawson Ave
Signal Hill, CA 90755

Phone

(562) 989-7330

Website

Visit website