San Fernando Valley

Most major Hollywood studios call the San Fernando Valley home. Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk are perched on a hillside adjacent to the 101 Freeway, at the gateway to the Valley. Mission San Fernando Rey de España, the historic mission from which the basin derives its name, is at the Valley’s northernmost border. Vibrant downtown Burbank and Studio City cater to the Industry set. Welcome to “the other side” of the hill.

Downtown Burbank + NoHo

A vibrant downtown, offering an “urban zen” experience ideal for strolling, is off Interstate 5 at Burbank Boulevard. Skyblupink and Granville are typical of hip retailers in the area. The Burbank Town Center (201 E. Magnolia Blvd.) features a Macy’s, more than 300 boutiques and restaurants and the AMC Theatres. To find out more about Burbank call 818.238.5180, or visit www.BurbankUSA.com

Burbank’s dual-terminal Bob Hope Airport is convenient for visitors heading to the Valley as well as nearby Pasadena and Hollywood. North Hollywood, due east of the airport, is the final stop of the Metro Red Line subway, which runs through Hollywood to downtown. The popular Metro Orange Line busway starts here and runs west across the Valley.

North Hollywood is home to the NoHo Arts District (between Cahuenga, Tujunga and Burbank boulevards and Camarillo Street), a collection of some 20 theaters plus art galleries, dance studios and restaurants.

Universal City

North from Hollywood sits Universal CityWalk, a colorful minicity next to Universal Studios Hollywood with “65 cool things to do.” They include iFLY Hollywood—where a wind tunnel simulates sky diving—an Imax theater, Saddle Ranch Chop House with its mechanical bulls and the Rumba Room nightclub. Stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Fossil and GUESS? Accessories draw late-night shoppers; Gibson Amphitheatre is adjacent.

The Studios

Headquarters for Warner Bros., NBC and Disney are in Burbank, business center of the San Fernando Valley. Warner Bros. Studios and NBC Studios offer back-lot tours; all of the studios recruit audience members for tapings of sitcoms and talk shows. Ticketing agencies such as Audiences Unlimited are the best means to secure free tickets to tapings; contact NBC directly for tickets to The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.

Ventura Boulevard

Cahuenga Boulevard becomes Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, just west of the 101 Freeway near Universal Studios. Immortalized by Tom Petty in the song “Free Fallin’ ” and the setting for countless films, the iconic, palm-lined boulevard runs through the San Fernando Valley for 20 miles.

Between the 101 and 405 freeways, Ventura Boulevard offers an eclectic mix of boutiques, beauty stops and restaurants. Celeb haunts in the area include trendy Belle Gray, Dari and Stacey Todd; Kirsten Dunst’s mother owns Belle Visage spa.

When it’s time to nosh, upscale Bistro Garden at Coldwater, hip La Loggia and a sushi row—where standouts include Katsu-ya, Teru Sushi and Sushi Nozawa—comfortably commingle along the boulevard. It’s rumored that chef Nozawa inspired Seinfeld’s “Soup Nazi.” Hip restaurants and bars have helped to launch a nightlife scene: Firefly offers bistro and Mediterranean dishes; Clear is a contemporary cocktail lounge.

Bloomingdale’s anchors Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks; there are also Betsey Johnson and Max Studio boutiques and Sephora. Sherman Oaks Galleria is near the junction of the 405 and 101 freeways; draws include ArcLight Cinemas.

OUT POSTS

A bevy of restaurants including Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion are at Warner Center in Woodland Hills, the end of the Metro Orange Line. Shop at the Westfield Topanga nearby, which boasts Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Macy’s; it also offers a host of high-end stores such as Tiffany & Co. and Burberry.

Westbound on the 101 Freeway is Calabasas, which offers upscale shopping and casual eateries at the Commons (4799 Commons Way). Stylish stores include L’Occitane, Lululemon Athletica for yoga gear and M. Fredric.

Several restaurants overlook the lake at Westlake Village, among them Dockside Terrace (32131 Lindero Canyon Road). Air Force One is permanently grounded in the Air Force One Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley. Find Six Flags Magic Mountain, roller coaster capital of the world, in Valencia, north of the Valley off Interstate 5.

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