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Discover LA, Your Way: The San Fernando Valley

by Discover Los Angeles  
Oct 1, 2024
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Discover LA, Your Way: The San Fernando Valley

Los Angeles Tourism invites you to soak up the sun-drenched lifestyle, cinematic history, iconic eats and hidden gems of the LA’s Valley neighborhoods.

 

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 30, 2024) From an 18th century Spanish mission to theme parks and movie sets, the San Fernando Valley offers a unique window into local history, pop culture and that sun-drenched LA lifestyle made famous in music, film and fashion.  

“Whether you’re shopping on Ventura Boulevard, pub-crawling in North Hollywood, taking a selfie at the fountain from ‘Friends’ on the Warner Bros. tour or thrilling to the rides at Universal, there’s nothing like visiting the Valley,” said Adam Burke, President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.

This is the celebrated dreamscape where Valley girls got their name, where Kardashians preen and pout, where skateboarders sail into the blue sky in Tom Petty’s iconic “Free Fallin’” music video. And it’s where countless blockbuster movies have been filmed or set, from “Encino Man” and “E.T.” to “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” to, of course, the 1983 rom-com “Valley Girl.” Even classics like “Casablanca” were filmed in the Valley.  

The Valley is a great destination for shopping, whether you’re treasure-hunting for vintage or heading to the mall. And it’s a foodie paradise too, offering a variety of international flavors, a farmers’ market, old-school classics and high-end dining with stunning views.  

Read on for LA Tourism’s detailed guide and tips for exploring LA’s San Fernando Valley, from malls and museums to movie history.  

LA’S SAN FERNANDO VALLEY AT A GLANCE  

Amusement, Film & Entertainment

Cultural Sites and Outdoor Recreation

Shopping & Wellness

  • Make like a Valley girl and head to the mall! Westfield Topanga is home to hundreds of retailers, from affordable to luxury, while the open-air Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge features upscale boutiques and eateries.
  • Go treasure-hunting for vintage clothing, antiques and more on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Encino, or Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank.  
  • Indulge in a massage or beauty treatment at one of the Valley’s many day spas or wellness centers.

Food & Drink

Hotels

GUIDE TO LA’S SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Dive deeper into LA’s San Fernando Valley

UNIVERSAL CITY  

Universal Studios Hollywood theme park is one of LA’s greatest attractions and has something for every visitor. The park’s world-famous Studio Tour takes guests on a tram to see backlots, props and sets, including the Bates Motel from “Psycho” and Jupiter’s Claim from Jordan Peele’s “Nope,” plus encounters with King Kong and the shark from “Jaws.”  

Don’t miss Universal’s Super Nintendo World, the new video game-themed land featuring Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, an augmented-reality dark ride and shooting game. For additional interactive games, try a Power-Up Band, and for fans of the Mushroom Kingdom, reserve a time to dine at the popular Toadstool Cafe.  

Get your thrills on Revenge of the Mummy — The Ride, The Simpsons Ride and rides at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Jurassic World — The Ride offers a relaxing boat trip — just watch out for dinosaurs and the 85-foot drop at the end! Beginning Sept. 5, dare to get scared at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

Get a photo with a Transformer or a Minion, meet Lucille Ball or the gang from Scooby-Doo, and enjoy pyrotechnics at the live action WaterWorld show. For kid-friendly experiences, try Transformers: The Ride-3D, DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, where guests are transformed into adoptable puppies.  

Adjacent to the park is Universal CityWalk Hollywood, home to retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch, Dodgers Clubhouse and Hot Topic, along with more than two dozen restaurants, from Hard Rock Cafe, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville to VIVO Italian Kitchen, Antojito’s Authentic Mexican Food and Dongpo Kitchen’s Chinese fare. Love sweets? Head for the new Hello Kitty Cafe and Friends Cafe for adorable beverages, desserts and merch or Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, with a steampunk theme and Victorian-era decor and gadgets. And don’t miss Universal Cinema, a gorgeous first-run movie theater with an upscale bar, Director’s Lounge.  

Check the Universal Hollywood app for wait times for rides, advice on kid-friendly attractions and more. Note: Solo guests can skip long waits on single rider lines.

Nearby hotels include Sheraton Universal, Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City and The Garland, an iconic Studio City boutique property founded in1972 by actress Beverly Garland featuring The Front Yard, an onsite restaurant. All three hotels offer free park shuttles.  

BURBANK

Another can’t-miss experience for movie and TV fans is Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank. Recently celebrating its 50th anniversary, the tour takes guests to see backlots and sets, from the school in “Abbott Elementary” to New York City streets complete with fire escapes and manmade cracks in the sidewalks. The tour also includes self-guided exhibitions about Warner Bros. history and production. View costumes from movies like “My Fair Lady” and “Crazy Rich Asians” and visit sets from favorite shows like “The Big Bang Theory.” Sit on the orange sofa from Central Perk, the coffee shop from “Friends”; take a photo with Harry Potter’s broomstick or a Bat-Pod from “The Dark Knight”; learn about sound production or teach a computer-generated image to move like a human.  

While you’re in Burbank, visit Magnolia Boulevard, home to Romancing the Bean Cafe (dare to try the mushroom-based “Chagaccino”); the unique cat-themed Catnip Coalition Vintage Mall, and shops like Best of Times, Junk for Joy and It’s a Wrap, where you’ll find antiques, vintage clothes and even props and costumes from movies and TV shows.  

Elsewhere in Burbank, check out Smoke House, serving up phenomenal barbecue since 1946; Cydwoq Shoes for handmade footwear; Tony’s Darts Away for craft brews and games; and Urban Press Winery & Restaurant. And don’t miss the stunning views from Castaway, where multi-level seating ensures that every table looks out over the Valley. The menu is seasonally inspired and steak-forward.  

NORTH HOLLYWOOD & THE NOHO ARTS DISTRICT (NOHO)

Lankershim Boulevard is the main drag running through the North Hollywood Arts District’s square-mile locale, but Magnolia Boulevard is where the cool kids hang. Make as many stops as you can handle, starting with Granville, a sleek, upscale bar and restaurant with a lavishly painted exterior, followed by The Brickyard Pub, stocked with 100 beers, and El Tejano, a Tex-Mex joint with great music, happy hour beer and tacos for $5 apiece, and a front yard where there’s always a party. Top it all off with dessert from Republic of Pie, hosting live music every night but Monday.  

On that very same block you’ll find two tiki bars, a tattoo parlor, Kathy’s E. Boutique and The Fat Dog, serving craft cocktails like Doggie Daycare and Off the Leash. The street is also home to The Sherry Theatre, one of 20 neighborhood venues for live productions and the arts.  

To explore further, check out Idle Hour, a bar literally housed in a building shaped like a barrel; Player One, an arcade bar; Horror Vibes Coffee, a horror-themed cafe; Brews Brothers for craft beer, and Collector’s Paradise for comics fans. Laemmle NoHo 7, a historic 1938 theater, is an arthouse featuring indie flicks and events with industry creatives. The famed DTLA bookstore, The Last Bookstore, just announced it’s opening a second location in the neighborhood.  

In nearby Valley Glen, The Great Wall of Los Angeles, a half-mile-long mural celebrating social justice and diversity, stretches along the Tujunga Wash flood control channel near Coldwater Canyon Boulevard between Oxnard Street and Burbank Boulevard.

SHERMAN OAKS, STUDIO CITY, ENCINO

Spend an afternoon popping into the many shops and eateries along Ventura Boulevard from Sherman Oaks to Studio City. Start with retro fashion at American Vintage and Iguana Vintage; check out the latest styles at The Fortt Urban Boutique and Soto Sherman Oaks; go treasure-hunting at Freakbeat Records, Books on the Boulevard and Classic Toys. At La Knitterie Parisienne, meet owner Edith Eig, a knitting guru to stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Debra Messing.

Venture further down Ventura Boulevard to enjoy retro vibes at Art’s Delicatessen Restaurant and, for classic Mexican fare, Casa Vega, both in business since the 1950s. Then satisfy your sweet tooth at McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams. Ventura Boulevard is also known for Sushi Row, with restaurants like Studio City’s Asanebo and Iroha Sushi, and Encino’s Sushi by Scratch.

Other nearby scrumptious fare include the French Brasserie Petit Trois, Sephardic pastries at Sherman Oaks’ bo.re.kas; shakshuka for breakfast from Beck’s in Encino, or shawarma from Tel Aviv Grill, also in Encino. For the perfect picnic, pick up organic fruit, baked goods and Middle Eastern specialties at Studio City’s Sunday farmers market. Studio City’s Tejunga Village, nestled between Moorpark and Woodbridge is another shopping and dining destination with Aroma Cafe, Vitellos, and the newly opened Jon & Vinny’s Studio City location.  

Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks is home to Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and nearly 100 more stores. Westfield also hosts Movies on the Roof, an outdoor evening experience where you can relax in a comfy beanbag chair while enjoying timeless fun and classic films.  

For upscale boutiques and sleek dining, visit the open-air Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, which offers a variety of favorite LA eateries including Uovo, HiHo Cheeseburger and Erewhon, the famed organic grocery store; Roberta’s Pizza, Tocaya, plus Cosette Wine Bar, Civil Coffee, Kismet Rotisserie, Sugarfish and Tuesday’s Sweet Shoppe.  

For stylish apparel, hit Sportsmen’s Zadig & Voltaire for luxury ready-to-wear; The Great for classic Americana; Salt Optics for eyewear; Vuori for coastal California looks, and Stevie Sister for romantic florals and loungewear.  

Sportsmen’s Lodge also offers a number of wellness services like Next Health, Myodetox and Equinox, while spas in Sherman Oaks include Burke Williams or Blue Medi.  

WOODLAND HILLS, CANOGA PARK, CALABASAS

Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park puts the fun back in shopping with a gorgeous mall, easy parking and hundreds of retailers, from affordable fashion at H&M and Uniqlo to luxury brands like Gucci and Hermes.  

While you’re there, explore Topanga Social, a new food hall with 23 of LA’s most buzz-worthy bars and food purveyors, including Burrata House, Candy Store, Cilantro Lime, Dumpling Monster, I Love Micheladas, MANEATINGPLANT, Slab (barbecue), Sola Po’boys, Temaki by Seaweed and Wanderlust Creamery.  

If you’re a Kardashian fan, take a drive through Calabasas and get a salad at Health Nut in Woodland Hills.  

Also in Woodland Hills: Gasolina Cafe is a Spanish cafe and market serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, including specialty coffees, natural Spanish wines and snacks, plus paella nights one Friday and Saturday per month.

For outdoor recreation, visit Chatsworth’s Garden of the Gods, named for its massive sandstone rock formations; look for some of the 200 species of birds found in Chatsworth Nature Preserve; or take a hike in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve.  

Hotels here include Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills, Hilton Woodland Hills, Best Western Woodland Hills Inn and Hilton Garden Inn Calabasas.

SAN FERNANDO AND THE NORTH VALLEY  

Head north for culture, local history and museums. In Mission Hills, the Mission San Fernando Rey de España, founded in 1797, is one of 21 historic California missions built by Spanish colonizers. The mission is known for its long Convento building, which features 21 Roman arches. Actor Bob Hope is buried in a memorial garden behind the onsite church; Ritchie Valens, whose 1958 Top 40 hit “La Bamba” was based on a Mexican folk song, is buried in the San Fernando Mission Cemetery.  

In Sylmar, enjoy a self-guided tour of the Nethercutt Museum’s collection of antique, classic and specialty cars. For family fun, head to the Discovery Cube science center, which is getting ready for a makeover that will include a new outdoor amphitheater, a solar carousel and more. Renovations are expected to be complete in 2026.  

In Van Nuys, the Valley Relics Museum is a window into 20th century Valley pop culture, featuring old neon signs from beloved local businesses, arcade games that you can play for free, the VW bus from “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and other ephemera. The same team offers guided tours of the area’s many film locations through My Valley Pass.

Have breakfast or lunch at James Family Restaurant in San Fernando, a 1950s diner (try posole, a meaty hominy stew). For dinner, hit The Bear Pit, serving up barbecue in Mission Hills since the 1940s.  

For outdoor recreation, go birdwatching in Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve, rent a swan boat on Lake Balboa, and visit the picturesque Japanese garden at Woodley Park, where “Star Trek” fans will recognize a building that’s been used as Starfleet Academy.

EXPLORE FURTHER …  

Ride some of the country’s fastest roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia.

Visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley.

For spectacular views of the Valley:

TIPS FOR VISITING SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Getting there:  

By air: The Valley is served by three airports:  

By Metro: The Metro B (Red) Line stops in North Hollywood and Universal City/Studio City, making those parts of the Valley (including Universal Studios Hollywood theme park) easy to reach by train from Hollywood or Downtown LA. From LAX, take the Flyaway bus to Union Station, and the B line from there to NoHo or Universal.  

By rideshare: Uber and Lyft are also efficient ways to navigate the Valley without a rental car and the hassles and expense of parking.  

Weather, driving and safety:

  • Valley weather is about 10 degrees warmer than elsewhere in LA in summer and early fall, but temperatures fall rapidly at sunset. Bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for daytime, and a jacket for evenings.  
  • Metered street parking is often available in the Valley. Meters accept coins, credit/debit cards and apps like ParkMobile, which let you add time.  
  • Be prepared for hairpin turns driving steep canyon roads; be especially careful after dark.  
  • Take care following GPS instructions for rapid lane changes before freeway exits.  
  • Much of the Valley is suburban, but it’s always better to be cautious walking alone, especially after dark and in isolated parts of the neighborhood.  

 

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MEDIA CONTACTS  

Chris Heywood  

SVP, Global Communications  

cheywood@latourism.org  

 

Melissa Yunk  

Director, Global Communications  

myunk@latourism.org  

ABOUT LOS ANGELES & LOS ANGELES TOURISM  

Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism) is the non-profit destination marketing and sales organization for the Los Angeles tourism industry and the ultimate resource for where to stay and play in the LA area.  

 

Los Angeles is a dynamic, ever-evolving destination – where diversity thrives, and everyone is welcome. A global creative capital and the epicenter of the sports universe, LA presents limitless possibilities for visitors from around the world. For more information, visit discoverlosangeles.com, follow at facebook.com/DiscoverLosAngeles, or @discoverLA on Instagram and TikTok  

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