San Fernando Valley is the area that occupies two-thirds of Los Angeles and cities like Glendale, Burbank, and San Fernando. If you’re thinking of moving here or just stopping by for a visit, San Fernando Valley has much to offer. With its rich history, diverse culture, and organization, San Fernando Valley requires a decent guide for it to be enjoyed. That’s why we at Royal Moving & Storage Inc CA present you with the ultimate guide to experiencing San Fernando Valley offerings. This guide will cover a wide variety of topics, including the Valley’s history, nature, neighborhoods, cultural manifestations, and everything in between. Therefore, if you need inspiration and examples of things to do in San Fernando Alley, you’ve come to the right place. Who knows- you might come to San Fernando Valley to experience it on vacation but might end up coming back. Or, moving to this vibrant and magnificent place.
San Fernando Valley’s humble beginnings and development
San Fernando Valley bears the name of San Fernando, the first official city of the valley. Because it enjoyed a brief gold rush in the 1840s, San Fernando had the resources to grow. In 1874, San Fernando became the first organized community in the valley, thus earning the title “First City of the Valley.” The beginning of San Fernando Valley’s history in general dates back all the way to the 1769 Portolá Expedition when it was discovered.
Native Americans used to live in the Valley’s areas for years: the groups included Tongva, Tataviam, and Chumash people. They all inhabited well-watered and wooded areas until the Spanish Empire claimed the Valley as their own with the expedition. Settlement in the Valley throughout its extensive history heavily depended on available resources, primarily water. Spanish, Mexican, and American people all fought for the Valley’s land.
Today, the San Fernando Valley is home to approximately 1.8 million people who moved here because of what it has to offer. It consists of North Los Angeles, as well as the cities of Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, and San Fernando. On top of that, San Fernando Valley includes many wonderful neighborhoods, such as the family-friendly Woodland Hills, active-lifestyle-oriented Sherman Oaks, the quaint and tree-lined Studio City, and education-nurturing Northridge.
For those looking to move to these neighborhoods, our company with moving services Los Angeles relies on can help. There are 36 unique neighborhoods in San Fernando Valley, so one of these is bound to be the perfect spot for you. Valley Village is a neighborhood with a very outgoing and friendly community, and Warner Center is the district hub for the Valley’s residents.
San Fernando Valley offers many places for its visitors to see and experience
The Valley welcomes all, no matter if you want to spend time in nature or see some popular, iconic locations. If you prefer spending quality time surrounded by nature, consider the following spots:
- Griffith Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the area, has over 4,210 acres of terrain. The park is just West of the Valley’s Golden State Freeway (I-5), but you can also walk or cycle your way there. Another option is to take the LADOT DASH bus, with shuttles running every 15—20 minutes. You’ll find many different species of Valley plants here, including the endangered manzanita and berberis.
- Lake Balboa Park operates from sunrise to sunset and has many facilities and opportunities for its visitors. There are barbecue pits, picnic tables, jogging, cycling, and walking paths, a multipurpose sports field, pedal boats, and bike rentals. Needless to say, there’s a lot to do at the park, which makes it one of the most popular places in the Valley.
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is hidden in plain sight from Los Angeles. We hope you packed and moved your hiking equipment with local movers Los Angeles trusts, as this is your go-to place for hiking trails.
However, if a city tour is what you prefer and you have a love for movies, the Valley has many offerings yet again. Casa Vega, The McFly Residence, Reseda Theater, and Cobra Kai Dojo: we hope at least one of these sounds familiar. San Fernando Valley is filled with iconic landmarks in terms of the film industry. Universal Studios and Warner Bros. each have their studios in San Fernando Valley and offer studio tours.
There’s no better way to experience the Valley than to get to know its culture
Taking into account its vibrant history, we can only conclude that the culture in the Valley is diverse. Besides in its population, this can be seen in the many cultural institutions built here. We will bring up the different places worth seeing: two museums, and a wonderful garden that’s an absolute must-see. You can pay them a visit any time you want after relocating to the Valey with one of the best moving companies in Northridge and unwind.
For starters, The Nethercutt Collection is a museum of over 250 perfectly restored automobiles, both American and European. They have a few other things on the list as well but are mostly known for the vehicles. They only allow guided tours and require that you make reservations in advance. It’s, without a doubt, a very unique place in the San Fernando Valley.
The Valley Relics Museum, as the name might suggest, is home to historical artifacts from the San Fernando Valley area. The museum’s goal is to collect, preserve, interpret, and present the history of the Valley and the surrounding area. Rare documents, photographs, retro neon signs, postcards, yearbooks, clothing, books, and art are just some parts of this collection. This is one of the unique ways of experiencing San Fernando Valley offerings, with friends or family.
Last but not least, we have The Japanese Garden in the heart of the busy San Fernando Valley. Spread across 6 1/2 acres, it features three different gardens: a Zen meditation garden, a “wet-strolling” garden, and a Shoin building with a tatami mat teahouse and tea garden. This garden’s existence is essentially the product of cooperation between America and Japan in an attempt to display a positive use of reclaimed water.
Dining and shopping as a way of experiencing San Fernando Valley offerings
Whether you’re just visiting or here to stay with the help of our movers Studio City relies on, food and shopping play key roles in experiencing the Valley. In a way, food is closely tied to culture, so eating out is also a way to experience the Valley’s culture. Japanese, Thai, Sri Lankan, Middle Eastern, Cuban, Mexican, Mediterranean, Spanish, Indian, Israeli, or Armenian. You name the cuisine, San Fernando Valley can offer it.
From the Baja Subs Market & Deli to the Lum-Ka-Naad, and from Baba Sweets to the FurnSaj Bakery, there’s lots of food to choose from in the Valley. Food trucks are also super popular in San Fernando Valley, such as El Churro Man and Achara Food Truck. If you’re in the mood for something fancy, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and Davenport’s Restaurant are some of the many good picks.
When it comes to shopping, though, you can go big or small in the Valley: it doesn’t matter. Both big malls and small, local businesses and shops have plenty to offer to Valley’s visitors and residents. The Valley Economic Alliance has a list of small businesses and often rotates the featured ones. If you’re in the mood for a mall experience, however, Westfield Topanga and the Northridge Fashion Center are both good choices.
Westfield Topanga, aside from its many shops and offers, also hosts a variety of events from time to time. The Northridge Fashion Center has plenty of stores, from Abercrombie & Fitch to Guess. There’s a place for every type of spender in the San Fernando Valley.
San Fernando Valley is the best place to be with family and friends
Taking its proximity to Los Angeles into account, San Fernando Valley is a great place for families. You’ll find many activities and attractions in the Valley for children of all ages: in fact, we’ve already mentioned some. They’ll be a great way to cheer your kids up after moving with movers Sherman Oaks is proud of. Universal Studios Hollywood offers the opportunity to go on a tour around the place, although you will need tickets first.
If you want some thrill and action, the Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park (also just referred to as Magic Mountain) is a great choice. It features 20 rollercoasters and 2 water rides, has lots of events and deals, and is overall lots of fun. Our warm recommendations for fun in the Valley are the California Science Center, Sherman Oaks Castle Park, and Descanso Gardens.
What about big events and festivals that bring people from and beyond the Valley together? San Fernando Valley, yet again, doesn’t fail to deliver some great opportunities. On October 15th, the Sherman Oaks Street Fair takes place from early in the morning to the afternoon. It has a main and community stage, a carnival, a cocktail lounge, a pet zone, 200+ vendors, and more!
For those who are into all things geek, nerdy, and colorful, the San Fernando Valley Comic Book Convention takes place every year. The date is announced each year on the convention’s Facebook page, and children 12 and under have free entry. Last but not least, we have the NoHo Theatre and Arts Festival with its goal to produce and present the best event revolving around arts and entertainment in Southern California.
Experiencing San Fernando Valley is easier if you know how to get around
Although our movers Woodland Hills relies on are mobile and know their way around the Valley, getting around may be puzzling. However, we can assure you that getting around San Fernando Valley is easy. The Metro Rail system is the number one way to reach Los Angeles and surrounding cities with ease. Metro is even working on the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project to improve transit in the Valley even more.
Another perhaps cheaper option is to take the bus, though it does extend the time spent in transit. Ultimately, because the cities in San Fernando Valley are quite car-centric, you could just drive by yourself if you have a car. Getting from San Fernando Valley to Los Angeles takes around 20 minutes via the US-101 S road.
Visit, come back, and move to San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley is a place with a rich history, dating back to the 18th century. The Valley started off as a large area inhabited mostly by Native Americans, and today, it’s home to many cultures and ethnicities. San Fernando Valley’s nature is rich and abundant. There are plenty of parks, green spaces, and recreation areas that help you experience the Valley.
Aside from nature, the Valley’s cities offer plenty of tourist and sightseeing attractions. These attractions range from museums and gardens to amusement parks and big studio tours. You can get to know the Valley through its cuisine and cultural events. With this, we conclude the ultimate guide to experiencing San Fernando Valley offerings and what they consist of. All in all, your vacation here will be enjoyable, but if you plan to move here, Royal Moving & Storage Inc will be here to help.
