Systems and methods for steering an optical path to gain access to data locations in a holographic memory cell (HMC). One of the systems includes: (1) first and second reflective elements locatable to receive and reflect a complex, spatially-modulated incident beam of light, (2) a reflective element steering mechanism, coupled to the first and second reflective elements, that moves the first and second reflective elements to steer the incident beam in a desired direction and (3) an HMC rotating mechanism, couplable to the HMC, that rotates the HMC about an axis thereof, the reflective element steering mechanism and the HMC rotating mechanism cooperating to cause the incident beam to illuminate a location on a plane of the HMC that is a function of a movement of the first and second reflective elements and a rotational position of the HMC.