403 Forbidden Error when trying to view localhost on Apache

Solution 1:

If you're getting a 403 error it probably means the directory does not exist, or the privileges on that directory won't let you see it.

My problem was that the default virtual host settings were pointing to a directory that didn't exist.

So here's what you should do: (assuming you're on Snow Leopard)

1. Find and open your virtual hosts configuration file.

   pico /etc/apache2/extra/httpd-vhosts.conf
   

2. Check that your virtual host definitions are in there, otherwise create them

   <VirtualHost *:80>
   ServerAdmin webmaster@localhost
   DocumentRoot "/Users/yourusername/Sites/mysite"
   ServerName mysite.local
   ErrorLog "/private/var/log/apache2/mysite-error_log"
   CustomLog "/private/var/log/apache2/mysite-access_log" common
   </VirtualHost>
   

3. Open up /etc/hosts file and add your virtual host name. This is what's in mine:

   ##
   # Host Database
   #
   # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
   # when the system is booting.  Do not change this entry.
   ##
   127.0.0.1          localhost
   255.255.255.255    broadcasthost
   ::1                localhost 
   fe80::1%lo0        localhost
   
   # VIRTUAL HOST START
   127.0.0.1          localhost
   127.0.0.1          mysite.local
   # VIRTUAL HOST STOP
   

4. Now restart Apache and you should be good to go!

   sudo apachectl restart