Top 10 Things To Do And See In The San Fernando Valley, California

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

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.

The North Hollywood Arts District

El Portal Theatre, 11206 Weddington St, North Hollywood, CA, USA +1 818 508 0281

The NoHo Arts Center, 11136 W Magnolia Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 818 508 7101

Acme Comedy Theatre, 5124 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA

The Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 818 980 2555

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.

Sherman Oaks Antique Mall, 14034 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 818 906 0338

FreakBeat Records, 13616 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 818 995 7603

Iguana Vintage Clothing, 14422 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA,USA, +1 818 907 6716

Psychic Eye, 13435 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 818 906 8263