Region Guide
San Fernando Valley Guide
Over the hill from Hollywood, the Valley is the engine room of show business, home to major studios, theme-park thrills, and walkable village centers.
Over the hill from Hollywood, the Valley is the engine room of show business, home to major studios, theme-park thrills, and walkable village centers.
Cross the hills north of Hollywood and you enter the San Fernando Valley, the sprawling heart of the entertainment industry. This is where the cameras actually roll: Universal Studios Hollywood, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, and the broadcast lots of Burbank all sit within a few miles of one another. Around them, neighborhoods like Studio City, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, and Glendale offer thriving restaurant rows, theaters, and a more everyday slice of LA life.
The Valley runs hot and wide, so a car is the most practical way to get around, though the Metro B (Red) Line reaches Universal City and North Hollywood. Summer afternoons can be considerably warmer here than at the coast, so plan outdoor time for the morning. Theme-park and studio-tour tickets, times, and reservation rules change often, so book ahead and check the official website before visiting.
San Fernando ValleyUniversal City is an entertainment enclave straddling the Hollywood Hills and the San Fernando Valley, built around Universal Studios Hollywood and the CityWalk promenade. It's a one-stop destination for theme park rides, a working studio tour, dining, and nightlife.
San Fernando ValleyStudio City is a leafy, upscale San Fernando Valley neighborhood named for the film studios that have long operated there. Its Ventura Boulevard corridor is a magnet for sushi, brunch, and boutique shopping, all within reach of the Hollywood Hills.
San Fernando ValleySherman Oaks is a comfortable, affluent San Fernando Valley neighborhood known for its shopping, dining, and easy-living suburban appeal. Ventura Boulevard and the Westfield Fashion Square anchor a retail and restaurant scene that draws Valley locals and visitors alike.
San Fernando ValleyNorth Hollywood, anchored by the NoHo Arts District, is a creative San Fernando Valley neighborhood packed with theaters, galleries, murals, and a growing food and brewery scene. A Metro B Line hub, it's one of the Valley's most transit-friendly and rapidly evolving areas.
San Fernando ValleyBurbank is the beating heart of LA's entertainment industry, home to Warner Bros., Disney, and a cluster of studios, plus a charming, walkable downtown. With studio tours, leafy streets, and easy access to Universal nearby, it's a fan's dream.
San Fernando ValleyGlendale is a clean, prosperous foothill city known for premier shopping at the Americana and Galleria, a vibrant Armenian community, and the historic Forest Lawn cemetery. It blends suburban polish with rich cultural diversity at the edge of the San Gabriel foothills.
Theme ParksUniversal Studios Hollywood is a major movie-themed amusement park and working film studio, blending thrill rides with the famous behind-the-scenes Studio Tour. Immersive lands like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World make it one of LA's top family attractions.
LandmarksThe Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood takes you behind the scenes of a working film and television studio in Burbank. Guided and self-guided experiences reveal real sound stages, backlot sets, props, and costumes from beloved movies and shows.
ParksOne of North America's largest urban parks, sprawling across more than 4,000 acres of rugged hills above Los Angeles. It is home to the Griffith Observatory, the LA Zoo, miles of trails, and iconic views of the Hollywood Sign.
LandmarksGriffith Observatory is a free public observatory on the slopes of Mount Hollywood, offering telescopes, science exhibits, and some of the best views in Los Angeles. Its Art Deco architecture and sweeping vistas of the city, the Hollywood Sign, and the Pacific make it a must-see for first-time visitors.
GardensThe Japanese Garden, known as SuihoEn, is a serene traditional garden in the San Fernando Valley built beside a water reclamation facility. It offers ponds, a dry Zen garden, and a teahouse setting, typically visited by reservation.
Neighborhoods and top attractions across this region.
Map pins are approximate and for visitor planning only — they may not mark the exact entrance or parking. Please check official directions before visiting.
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Yes, Universal Studios Hollywood sits in Universal City on the Valley side of the hills, easily reached by car or the Metro B (Red) Line.
Yes, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Burbank takes visitors onto active backlots and soundstages. Book ahead and check the official website before visiting.
It is a short drive over the hills, and the Metro B (Red) Line connects Hollywood to Universal City and North Hollywood without a car.
FamilyTheme parks, hands-on museums, easy beaches, and free outdoor days the whole crew will actually enjoy.
ItinerariesThree days, three neighborhoods, and a route that finally lets you slow down: Hollywood and the hills, Downtown and the arts, then the beach towns.
PlanningEverything a first-timer needs to know before landing in LA: how the city is laid out, when to go, how to get around, and how to avoid rookie mistakes.