Regional Guide

San Fernando Valley

Thirty-three Valley communities from Woodland Hills and Chatsworth to Burbank and Glendale

Listing photo: Paul Coleman, Paul Coleman Broker · Studio City · CSMAR MLS

The San Fernando Valley holds about 1.8 million people, most of them in neighborhoods of the City of Los Angeles, plus the independent cities of Burbank, Glendale and San Fernando. South of Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Encino, Sherman Oaks and Studio City are the hillside and highest-priced neighborhoods. The west and north Valley, West Hills, Chatsworth, Porter Ranch, Northridge and Granada Hills, offer bigger lots and newer homes. The east Valley around North Hollywood, Toluca Lake and Valley Village is closest to the studios and the subway.

Click any area on the map to open its guide. City limits and community boundaries are drawn from U.S. Census Bureau, Los Angeles County and Los Angeles Times neighborhood data and are approximate.

San Fernando Valley area guides

Moving to the San Fernando Valley

Which part of the Valley fits you?

For hillside homes and the restaurants of Ventura Boulevard: Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana and Woodland Hills. For newer gated tracts and views: Porter Ranch. For ranch homes on large lots: Northridge, Granada Hills, Chatsworth and West Hills. For horse property: Shadow Hills, Lake View Terrace, Sylmar and Chatsworth. For the most affordable single-family homes: Pacoima, Arleta, Panorama City, Sun Valley and North Hills. For transit and nightlife: North Hollywood.

Central Valley neighborhoods

Van Nuys, Lake Balboa, Reseda, Winnetka, Canoga Park, Valley Glen and Mission Hills are the postwar heart of the Valley: single-story houses on regular lots, close to the Metro G Line busway and the 405 and 101.

Schools and cities

Most of the Valley is Los Angeles Unified, with many charter and magnet options. Burbank and Glendale run their own well-regarded districts, which is a large part of their appeal. At the west edge, Bell Canyon, Hidden Hills and Calabasas are served by Las Virgenes Unified.

Common questions about the San Fernando Valley

What is the nicest part of the San Fernando Valley?

The highest prices are south of Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana and Woodland Hills, along with Toluca Lake and the guard-gated city of Hidden Hills at the west end.

Is Burbank part of Los Angeles?

No. Burbank, Glendale and San Fernando are independent cities with their own police, schools and permits, surrounded by Los Angeles neighborhoods.

Where can I keep horses in the San Fernando Valley?

Shadow Hills, Lake View Terrace, Sylmar, Chatsworth and parts of Northridge and Granada Hills have horse-keeping zoning.

Other regions

Conejo ValleyRegional map and guide →Ventura CountyRegional map and guide →Malibu, Calabasas & the CanyonsRegional map and guide →Westside Los AngelesRegional map and guide →Beverly Hills & HollywoodRegional map and guide →All areasThe full Southern California map →

Not sure where to start? Tell Gary Jacobs what matters most, whether that is schools, commute, lot size or budget, and he will narrow the map to the two or three areas that fit.

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