24 Hours in the Valley

GUIDES / Neighborhoods / San Fernando Valley

Downtown

Hollywood

San Fernando Valley

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Ventura Boulevard, Studio City

As home to the world’s major movie studios, the San Fernando Valley is where celebrities live, work and play. Here’s a 24-hour behind-the-scenes itinerary of the Valley’s sizzling attractions, restaurants and nightspots.

8–9 a.m.
Have breakfast at a choice of iconic spots. Bacon and eggs at Bob’s Big Boy on Riverside Drive in Burbank returns you to the glamour of the 50s. Built in 1949, this restaurant’s mid-century architecture hasn’t changed since the days when Bob Hope, Debbie Reynolds and Mickey Rooney were regulars.

9 a.m.–noon
Shop to your heart’s content. Stretching from Universal City to Studio City to Sherman Oaks, Ventura Boulevard is boutique shopping at its best, with pockets of concentrated stores that thrill visitors in search of off-the-beaten-path finds. Be sure to check out Belle Gray (owned by Lisa Rinna of Dancing with the Stars fame), Tryst and Stacey Todd, among the dozens of stores that line both sides of the street.

A complete entertainment experience waits at the Glendale Galleria. Anchored by Nordstrom and Macy’s, the mall features top name boutiques, spas, salons, a children’s play area and a fabulous food court. Westfield Topanga mall in Canoga Park gleams with three-story atriums, elaborate water features and six different precincts, each with its own distinct feel and retail focus. Need more? The mall also boasts the all-new, 120,000-square-foot Neiman Marcus.

For even more shopping adventures, visit Universal CityWalk Hollywood, the new $400 million shopping center Americana at Brand, the Sherman Oaks Galleria and Westfield Fashion Square (with Bloomingdale’s) in Sherman Oaks.

Noon–2 p.m.
Have lunch at one of the stylish eateries along Ventura Boulevard. Universal CityWalk Hollywood also has a host of dining options. The choices are endless! In the mood for Latin? Have a Cuban pulled pork sandwich at Versailles Restaurant. And the menu is as lively as the crowd at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market in Universal CityWalk.

2–6 p.m.
Visit Universal Studios Hollywood and experience the new mega-thrilltacular, The Simpsons Ride, based on the critically acclaimed TV series and movie. You’ll rocket through “Krustyland,” a new fantasy theme park created by the show’s cantankerous Krusty the Clown, and be fully immersed with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson on “Krusty’s Thrilltacular Roller Coaster” as you rip at faster-than-lightning-speeds on a hysterical, almost unimaginable adventure.

After enjoying Universal Studios Hollywood’s multitude of world famous rides and attractions, walk over to Universal CityWalk Hollywood and experience the thrill of skydiving — without the plane. The iFLY indoor skydiving experience is like no other, and you might just share the experience with a movie star. Robert Downey Jr. recently did the iFLY skydive while being interviewed for a GQ article.

Or take the Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tours, where you might see film or television productions in progress.

6–8 p.m.
As the sun goes down, dining in the Valley truly shines. Zagat’s recent survey named Sushi Nozawa, Leila’s (American dishes with Asian accents) and Saddle Peak Lodge (creative continental cuisine) among the top five food picks in Los Angeles. Speaking of sushi, Ventura Boulevard is nicknamed “sushi row” for its noteworthy sushi restaurants. Try Katsu-ya, a favorite with the entertainment industry. The upscale Italian cuisine at Panzanella draws a chic crowd, and film industry heavyweights frequent Pinot Bistro for its country French fare.

8–11 p.m.
Now it’s time for entertainment. Head to NoHo — that’s local-speak for North Hollywood — and its cornucopia of live theaters featuring performances from the classics to improv and everything in between. Among the favorites is El Portal Theatre. Built in 1926 as a Vaudeville theatre. For live theatre that pushes the envelope, grab a ticket to Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre. Don’t be surprised if you see celebrities in the audience. And remember, here in LA, the “unknowns” you’re seeing on stage tonight are the stars of tomorrow.

11 p.m.–2 a.m.
You’ll find Clear in Studio City lives up to its moniker, with a translucent front door, padded white-leather walls and Plexiglas stools. If Hollywood ever made a sequel to Swingers, Charlie O’s, a local pine-paneled watering hole in Valley Glenn, would be the featured hangout. Be sure to drop by Universal CityWalk Hollywood and pick your hot spots including the Rumba Room, Howl at the Moon with its outrageous dueling piano bar, and the iconic Hard Rock Café.

2 a.m.–7 a.m.
Top off your revels with a late-night nosh at Jerry’s Famous Deli on Ventura Boulevard. It’s the flagship location and a celebrity favorite. Throughout his entire professional career, Andy Kaufman kept a day-job here busing tables (as seen in the movie Man on the Moon).

Or drift off to dreamland in one of the Valley’s excellent hotels: