The San Fernando Valley is often overshadowed by Los Angeles landmarks such as Hollywood and Santa Monica. However, the Valley houses beautiful and entertaining spots for exploration and tourism, and is a lot more than a simple suburb.
1. Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Amusem*nt Park, Cinema
If you’re looking for the backbone of Hollywood and television, take a ride to the San Fernando Valley, which houses entertainment giants like the Warner Brothers Studio. Located in Burbank, the Warner Brothers lot is open for tours, allowing fans to see famous sets, such as the iconic Friends Central Perk coffee shop. The tour allows fans to see the inner workings of Warner Bros productions, getting a view of all the hard work that goes into the entertainment industry, and how vital it is to both Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
2. Wat Thai Temple
Buddhist Temple, Ruins
Wat Thai Temple
Housing an incredible amount of diversity, it’s no wonder that a Thai Temple can be found right in the middle of the suburban Valley. The Buddhist temple is open for visitation and prayers, providing a gorgeous spot for both serenity and an appreciation of the beauty of Thai architecture and culture. On the weekends the temple hosts a food fair in the courtyard, offering visitors a taste of authentic and savory Thai food.
Wat Thai Temple, 8225 Coldwater Canyon Ave, Los Angeles, CA, USA, +1 818 780 4200
The Wat Thai Temple © Cbl62/WikiCommons
Lake Balboa Park
Nestled inside the concrete slabs and urban landscape, Lake Balboa Park reigns as a testament to nature’s beauty. At the heart of the valley lies this gem, a sprawling park with plenty of areas for picnics, walking through endless fields, or just resting on the grass in the shade. A lakeside walkway accompanied by wooden benches and twirling vines make this park the ultimate spot for relaxing during a hot and hectic day. If you’re looking for some fun, enjoy boat rides out on the lake and animal watching, as the park has a variety of wildlife, from ducks and geese to chipmunks and rabbits. In the springtime, vibrant pink radiates from the recently bloomed cherry blossom trees, reminding visitors that a Japanese Garden is available for touring.
Lake Balboa Park, 6300 Balboa Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA, +1 818 756 9743
Japanese Garden Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA, USA, +1 818 756 8166
3. The Baked Potato
The Baked Potato
In search of one of Los Angeles’ best Jazz clubs will take you right to the San Fernando Valley, where The Baked Potato has been operating since the 1970s. While the outside may be deceiving, on the inside a passion and love for jazz is unmistakable. The club hosts talented musicians in an intimate setting, where patrons bond over their love of music and potatoes, the menu featuring countless baked potato combinations such as the chicken parmesan potato and the marinated steak with pizziola potato.
The Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA, +1 818 980 1615
4. City Walk at Universal Studios Hollywood
Cafe
City Walk at Universal Studios Hollywood
Don’t be fooled by the term Hollywood, like many of Los Angeles’ famous entertainment hubs, Universal Studios is in the San Fernando Valley. While theme parks always serve as a major attraction, locals will tell you the best day out is at City Walk, a large walkway of stores and restaurants located just outside the park, and can be accessed for free. Fountains surround both ends of the Walk, with tall buildings such as the Hard Rock Cafe with an accompanying massive guitar sculpture, and a King Kong Replica that hangs off a City Walk sign. If you’re looking for thrills, an indoor skydiving machine makes this one of the fliest destinations in the Valley.
Universal CityWalk, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA, USA +1 818 622 4455
Fountain outside City Walk © SPBer/WikiCommons
North Hollywood Arts District
Colloquially known as NoHo, the area was once run down and did not reflect its glamorous namesake. In recent years however, the city has seen a revitalization and restoration in the form of theaters like the El Portal Theatre and The NoHo Arts Center, comedy clubs like the Acme Comedy Theatre, and trendy bars like The Federal. A niche for the valley’s artsy crowd, the area serves as a hot spot of creativity and expression, with bright lights and city entertainment enough to make this area a must see.
El Portal Theatre, 11206 Weddington St, North Hollywood, CA, USA +1 818 508 0281
The Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 818 980 2555
5. Mission San Fernando Rey de España
Building
Mission San Fernando Rey de España
Despite the idea that California does not have historical roots, the mission system that came to serve as the basis for many now developed California cities, many of which took their names from these missions, were founded in the late 1700s. The Mission San Fernando served the same purpose as many of the other missions in California, a spot for the Spanish to convert Native Americans to Catholicism. Today, the mission holds Catholic mass despite secularization from 1834 to 1861 and having been exchanged between three countries: Spain, Mexico, and the United States. Tours are held to introduce visitors to the mission lifestyle and history, with a scenic building and garden courtyard.
Mission San Fernando, 15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 818 361 0186
Mission San Fernando Rey de España © Geographer/WikiCommons
Vintage and Niche Shopping on Ventura Boulevard
Ventura Boulevard is the downtown of the San Fernando Valley, a shopping and business mecca that runs throughout the southern portion of the Valley. Along this magnificent street lies a variety of shops and specialty restaurants, many of which hold a special place in locals’ hearts, as these popular locations often host hangouts and date nights. However, the real attractions on Ventura are the second hand and vintage shops available. Antique stores like the Sherman Oaks Antique Mall contain numerous treasures of jewelry, clothing, and old school porcelain and glass kitsch products. FreakBeat Records houses both original and new pressings of vinyl, continuously updating their stock. Iguana Vintage Clothing is a two story shop featuring vintage clothing and period costumes for any occasion all year round. Finally, the Psychic Eye features psychic and New Age products spanning two storefronts. On Ventura, there’s a shop for everyone.
FreakBeat Records, 13616 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 818 995 7603
Psychic Eye, 13435 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 818 906 8263
6. Leonis Adobe Museum
Museum
Another testament to the rich history of Southern California, Leonis Adobe is located at the edge of Calabasas. This museum embodies ranch living in 1800s California, teaching visitors about the lifestyle, décor, farming and food through interactive activities, often in the form of grinding corn and making delicious fresh tortillas and churning butter.
7. Northridge Skateland
Northridge Skateland
If you’re looking for an old school throwback, the Northridge Skateland has stood the test of time, opening in 1958 and continuing to be a popular hangout and party spot to this day. With a live DJ and loads of arcade games for when you get tired, Skateland provides visitors to experience the fun of a skating rink. Private parties can be booked, but generally Skateland serves as a place where the community can get together and enjoy an active pastime from a generally bygone era.
Northridge Skateland, 18140 Parthenia St, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 818 885 7655
Rollerskating © Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
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