Sunset Ranch opened at 3400 North Beachwood Drive in 1948, transforming a working cattle ranch into the only full-service equestrian facility within Hollywood's city limits. Founder Harry Shuster preserved 32 acres of Beachwood Canyon chaparral when post-war development consumed neighboring parcels, creating a pocket of rural Los Angeles culture two miles from the Capitol Records Building. The ranch's proximity to Griffith Park's 4,310-acre wilderness means riders access 53 miles of bridle trails without crossing a single paved road. Horseback riding near Los Angeles found its geographic center in these hills because the terrain combines gentle fire roads suitable for beginners with technical single-track climbs that challenge experienced equestrians. The ranch maintains a herd of 40 horses — primarily Quarter Horses and Paints bred for temperament and stamina in Southern California's heat. Guides match each rider to a mount based on skill level during a pre-ride consultation, a practice refined over seven decades of operation. Morning departures between 09:00 and 11:00 offer the coolest temperatures, with shade persisting in north-facing canyon sections until early afternoon. The Hollywood Sign Overlook sits 1,100 vertical feet above the ranch, accessible via a winding trail that parallels the Old Zoo ruins before ascending through coastal sage scrub. Riders cover approximately four miles round-trip on the standard two-hour route, pausing at three viewpoints where downtown Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean, and the San Gabriel Mountains form a 180-degree panorama. The ranch's location on the north slope of Mount Lee places the iconic 45-foot letters at eye level rather than far below, a perspective unavailable from street-level viewpoints in Hollywood proper. Evening rides depart at 17:00 during extended daylight months, timing the return descent to coincide with alpenglow on the western ridgelines. These sunset excursions follow the same trail network but reverse the route, climbing first to capture golden hour light on the sign's white sheet metal before descending through lengthening shadows. The ranch enforces a 250-pound weight limit and requires closed-toe footwear with a heel, restrictions rooted in equine welfare and rider safety on steep grades. No prior riding experience is necessary for guided trail tours, though the ranch offers private lessons for visitors seeking instruction beyond the standard group format.