The San Fernando Valley, better known to locals as simply The Valley, is located north of Los Angeles. The region is so enmeshed with the city of Los Angeles that oftentimes people mix up Valley communities, such as Glendale, Burbank, Calabasas, and Universal City with LA cities.

Most of the Valley is mapped out in a grid-like pattern with only a few diagonal streets, so it’s relatively easy to navigate the region. Because of the way the streets are structured, most residents drive their cars.

In recent years with the addition of new Metro buses, the Metro Rail, and Metrolink commuter trains, The Valley has become a lot more pedestrian-friendly. With the installation of new bike paths and bike lanes, as well as paved walking paths in some neighborhoods, many neighborhoods have emerged as walkable communities.

Here are five of the San Fernando Valley’s most walkable neighborhoods.

Studio City

Studio City, CA
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Located adjacent to Hollywood is the Valley neighborhood Studio City. While this community is close to LA, it also has that much-needed suburban feel that many residents look for in a neighborhood. In recent years, with the arrival of popular businesses such as Jinya Ramen Bar, Alfred Coffee, and Aroma Coffee & Tea, Studio City has transformed into a community where residents can easily walk to grocery stores, schools, Metro stations, and even shopping centers. 

Commuters in Studio City can access public transportation at the Metro’s Red Line Station at Universal City/Studio City. The most walkable area of Studio City is Tujunga Avenue, which is tucked between the Colfax Meadows neighborhood and Woodbridge Park. This street is filled with charming mom-and-pop restaurants as well as specialty shops and boutiques.

North Hollywood

Photo courtesy of Valley Village Park
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North Hollywood (NoHo) is still a work in progress, but it’s swiftly turning into one of the most pedestrian- and recreation-friendly neighborhoods in the city. It’s home to four recreational parks, including Valley Village Park at Westpark Drive, Whitnall Off-Leash Dog Park at Whitnall Highway, North Hollywood Park at Chandler Boulevard, and Tiara Street Park at Tiara Street. 

If you’re someone who loves the feel of Downtown Los Angeles but can’t justify the heavy price tag of living there, you should consider moving to NoHo’s Arts District, which is filled with nifty restaurants, bars, and shops. Residents near Lankershim Boulevard have easy access to the Metro’s Red Line stations at North Hollywood and Universal, which allows for a convenient commute into Hollywood and downtown.

Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks, CA
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Not all of Sherman Oaks is walkable, but if you head south on Ventura Boulevard, you can easily complete your errands and even have time to check out some of the area’s trendy establishments. Those who enjoy the pedestrian lifestyle will be happy to have access to The Village at Sherman Oaks, which is not just the heart of the city, it’s also where the city’s main shopping district is situated.

Sherman Oaks not only has a welcoming vibe, it also has two city parks, an active adult center, eight public schools, and seven private schools. Popular walkable streets include Magnolia Boulevard and Lankershim Boulevard, which are lined with art galleries and shopping centers.

Encino

Los Encinos State Historic Park photo courtesy of Konrad Summers
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Encino is one of the Valley’s most underrated neighborhoods because of the traffic it gets during peak hours. However, if you spend time in Encino, you’ll find that it’s very pedestrian-friendly. The neighborhood is similar to Mid-Wilshire in Los Angeles, where there are plenty of office towers and live-work developments. 

Residents in Encino also have easy access to renowned eateries, shopping venues, and recreational areas, including Los Encinos State Historic Park as well as the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. 

Burbank

Burbank, CA
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The base for many entertainment and film production studios, many Burbank residents consist of working professionals and celebrities. According to Curbed, the city is spearheading the Valley’s move towards becoming a walkable urban region.

Burbank alone has amenities that most cities its size can only dream of: It’s eco-friendly, maintains its own utilities, and has Amtrak and Metrolink train lines. It even runs its own bus system and boasts bike paths on nearly every street, making it one of the Valley’s most pedestrian and bicycle-friendly areas.