The San Fernando Valley

Woodland Hills

It was in this area, now called Woodland Hills, that the treaty was signed to end the Mexican War. This cleared the way for California to be admitted to the union in 1850 as the 31st state.

In 1922, Girard Kleinberger, a visionary and deceitful entrepreneur, foresaw a large population and a thriving economy in the town he named "Girard." Girard and Boulevard Land Company purchased 2,886 acres, which was subdivided into 6,000 lots. In an effort to expedite land sales, in 1923 Girard erected gates, a mosque tower, planted trees by the thousands, and created a business district with rows of stones with false fronts to convey the impressions of a flourishing economy. Unfortunately, however, the depression proved disastrous to the ambitions of the Girard Real Estate Company. Luckily, in 1941, residents of the community banded together to improve the community's image and renamed it "Woodland Hills," marking the origin of the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce.

During the 30s, Harry Warner, the motion picture pioneer started amassing what was to become known as the Warner Ranch, an accumulation of 1,200 acres of land. In the 1980s, however, when Warner liquidated much of his real estate holdings, a number of large corporations bought and developed portions of the master planned business development. Some 630 acres of the Warner Ranch was acquired by Kaiser Aetna and assured the name's continued prominence into the area known as "Warner Center."

With Warner Center as the core of the business district, Woodland Hills enjoys a strong financial core, an upscale residential base, the finest health care, outstanding retail and dining facilities, excellent educational institutions, and recreational opportunities without equal - all in beautiful Southern California.

Tarzana

Ever wonder where the unusual name Tarzana comes from? Well, it came directly from Tarzan, King of the Jungle, the immortal character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Burroughs took much of the money he made from his wildly successful series of Tarzan books (24 in all) and in 1919 bought a 550 acre section of land from L.A. Times founder and publisher General Harrison Gray Otis. He then named his new holding Tarzana Ranch, after his own famous action hero. The citizens of the community that sprung up around the ranch voted to adopt the name Tarzana when their town was incorporated in 1928.

Originally, Tarzana was part of the San Fernando Mission, which was established in 1797 by Spanish settlers and missionaries. Modern day Tarzana is a vibrant community filled with businesses along Ventura Boulevard, and charming residences along the North and South streets. Tarzana contains two country clubs with golf courses - El Caballero Country Club and Braemar Country Club. There are also a number of gated communities including Mulholland Park and Braemar Estates.

Tarzana is well known for its many restaurants, delicatessens, booksellers, and language training institutes. The street boundaries of Tarzana are Victory Boulevard to the North, Corbin Avenue to the West, Mulholland Drive to the South, and Lindley Avenue to the East. South of Ventura Boulevard, Corbin dead ends at the Bothwell Ranch. There, the boundaries become Bothwell Road to the West and Lindley Avenue to the East. Both streets named after Lindley Bothwell, who once owned a large Tarzana orange grove that was later subdivided into luxury homes.

Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks balances urban attitudes with suburban amenities - speeding cars contrast sharply with the slow sway of palm trees in this San Fernando Valley neighborhood. The city seamlessly blends the suburban lifestyle with urban influences through its smattering of hip cafes, boutiques and restaurants, all of which are usually just minutes away from Ventura Boulevard.

When you truly want to embrace your location in the Valley, visit the Sherman Oaks Galleria - it's the real-life setting where "Valley Girl" was filmed. In addition, Sherman Oaks also has another large shopping center - the Westfield Fashion Square. Between the two, there's no shortage of great shopping and fantastic dining! Take a little drive down Ventura Boulevard, however, and you'll find just about anything your heart desires, culinarily speaking. From Mexican food to BBQ to trendy healthy fare, Sherman Oaks has you covered!

And what if you're more family oriented? Well, you've got the Van Nuys-Sherman Oak Park, which has jogging tracks, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, and grassy areas perfect for picnics. And if your family is into arcade games and miniature golf, then head north on Sepulveda Boulevard, right past the Sherman Oaks Galleria, where you'll find Sherman Oaks Castle Park!

Studio City

Studio City is one of 24 named communities in the San Fernando Valley, which are part of the incorporated City of Los Angeles. Only 12 miles northwest of the Los Angeles Civic Center, Studio City is nestled in the foothills of the north slope of the Santa Monica mountains, a prime location for easy access to employment centers in Hollywood, Downtown, the Valley, and Beverly Hills. The Ventura Freeway from Los Angeles and the San Diego Freeway from the coastal cities gives easy access to all of Southern California. Studio City is ideally situated for living, working, or relaxing in Southern California.

Studio City was essentially created by the movie industry, receiving its name as a result of the filming activities of Mack Sennett during the silent film era in the 1920s. Today, Studio City has emerged as the true hub of the San Fernando Valley. With the Cahuenga Pass on the east leading to Hollywood, and both Laurel Canyon and Coldwater Canyon feeding into Studio City from the Westside, Studio City represented the gateway to the Valley, and still does.

Toluca Lake

Private estates shake hands with milkshake-serving diners in Toluca Lake. An endearingly kitschy mix of contemporary refinement and nostalgic entertainment, this northwest Los Angeles neighborhood trades the glitz of nearby Hollywood for the good family values of the 50s. Tucked into the San Fernando Valley, Toluca Lake's residential streets remain quiet even when Riverside Drive buzzes as the night begins. Navigating Toluca Lake is easy with a car - take a spin in an antique Ford and you'll fit right in.

Toluca Lake originally received its name when a wealthy man by the name of Charles Forman erected a new post office in the area, which he called the Toluca Post Office. By 1923, the area was blooming with walnut, apple, and peach orchards, which ultimately were purchased and named the Forman Toluca Ranch upon Charles Forman's death. Today, however, the neighborhood is less about farms and orchards and much more about family friendly attractions and eateries.

Centrally located and freeway-close to all that Southern California has to offer, Toluca Lake has become the place to visit and stay. Many attractions are just in or just minutes away, including Garry Marshall's Falcon Theatre, the historic original Bob's Big Boy Drive-In, Warner Brothers Studios - where you can enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, Universal Studios and Tour, Universal Studios City Walk, Hollywood, and beautiful Griffith Park - the largest urban park in the United States!

Burbank

Burbank, billed as the "Media Capital of the World" and located only a few miles northeast of Hollywood, is home to numerous media and entertainment companies. Companies such as The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Entertainment, ABC Studios, ABC Family, Marvel Studios, Nickelodeon, NBC, and Insomniac Games all are either headquartered in Burbank or have significant production facilities in the area.

Burbank consists of two distinct areas : a downtown in the foothills of the Verdugo Mountains and flatlands at the east end of the San Fernando Valley. At one time, it was even referred to as "Beautiful Downtown Burbank" on Laugh-In and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Burbank today is home to many employees of the motion picture, digital cinema and television studios located in the area. It boasts a very small town feel while being located only 10 minutes away by car to the hip clubs and restaurants of Hollywood. Residents of Burbank can also enjoy the music of the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, the Starlight Bowl, fine restaurants, the city's Downtown Burbank Mall, a burgeoning "Burbank Village" shopping district, and many theaters, parks and libraries.

Valley Village

Valley Village is a 2.09-square-mile stretch of the San Fernando Valley, lying north of Studio City, east of Sherman Oaks, and southwest of North Hollywood. It is bordered by the Ventura Freeway to the south, the Hollywood Freeway to the east, the Tujunga Wash to the west, and Burbank Boulevard to the north.

Valley Village was formed in 1939 and was originally part of North Hollywood. In 1991, a secession drive was established, officially dividing Valley Village from North Hollywood. Residents love the Norman Rockwell flavor of their neighborhood, which is close to Downtown Los Angeles, the studios, Valley Village Park, excellent shopping and good schools.And Valley Villagers - many of whom are active members of the homeowners association - take pride in maintaining the charm of the homey hamlet, having organized neighborhood-wide tree-planting projects in the past after the city removed the bountiful eucalyptus trees that once adorned their streets.

Valley Village, like many of the San Fernando Valley's older neighborhoods, consists mostly of 1,700-square-food, single-story Spanish- and ranch-style homes that typically sit on nice-sized lots. So, if you want to be nestled in the valley, close to a number of city attractions while still maintaining a family-friendly edge, look no further than Valley Village. 

North Hollywood (NoHo)

Tucked between the slicker Studio City, solidly middle-class Burbank, mansion-filled Toluca Lake, and the pleasant, leafy grid of Valley Village, the core of North Hollywood has a vibe all its own - a little more gritty and densely urban. North Hollywood's charms might at first seem hidden, or at least understated. But in its own endearing and refreshingly un-hip way, this neighborhood in the southeast corner of the San Fernando Valley has become one of Los Angeles' best - especially for those seeking fast access to many other key neighborhoods and relatively spacious housing at a bargain price.

Creative pursuits drive North Hollywood's artistic culture. In NoHo, you're welcome to blog with a beanie on while Los Angeles' next "It" girl practices her monologue at the cafe table next to you. By day, this San Fernando Valley neighborhood mixes a stylish thrift-store aesthetic with its curated retro-inspired atmosphere. By night, theaters glow neon, tumblers shake, and cocktails get two straws in this classically unrefined evening destination.

Nicknamed after Soho, its New York City inspiration neighborhood, NoHo's aesthetic is eclectic and unabashed. Street art, theater marquees, and DIY Posters for challenging galleries compose the neighborhood's artistic attitude. In North Hollywood, accessories are stylized, street art translates from brick wall to wall decor, and The NoHo Arts District stands at the epicenter of this walkable urban village.

Northridge

Having survived the cataclysmic quake in 1994, Northridge continues to rattle, shake, and roll with the help of its university's (CSUN) active and animated scholars. When Northridge's students and suburban families aren't perusing new styles at their local mall, they're likely taking in panoramic views of the Valley from atop the Santa Susana Mountains.

Cradled in the chaparral beneath the Santa Susana Mountains, Northridge is a mostly quiet neighborhood punctuated by a student body presence. The residential streets are always meticulously maintained, characterized by the always-trimmed lawns and crack-less sidewalks. The main streets are peppered with stretches of malls and convenient parking lots, yet still remain peaceful and quiet, making Northridge the perfect haven for young families and studious academics. However, don't think the peace and quiet equates the boring! Thanks to California State University Northridge, the surrounding area is still animated with the sound of skateboards, bikes and passionate student activities. And if nature and hiking is what you're looking for, know that Northridge's outdoor activities are endless as playgrounds, pathways, and hiking trails meander through the city.

Most say that while from the ground Northridge looks "normal," from the sky, it looks absolutely spectacular.

Granada Hills

Granada Hills is a lightly populated, highly diverse and high-income neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley. Formerly agricultural, it is now predominantly residential, with over three quarters of the living units being occupied by their owners.

Granada Hills is a hotspot of mid-century architecture, which returned to vogue in the 1990s, known as Mid-Century Modern. The most notable tract is "Balboa Highlands," a small tract built by the iconic developer Joseph Eichler. Many of these homes have actually been featured in movies, commercials, magazine pictorials, and often pop up in books about Mid-Century architecture.