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San Fernando Valley Neighborhoods

The San Fernando Valley probably came to most people’s attention when the song “Valley Girl” was released in 1983. Despite the air-head reputation gained because of the song, “the Valley,” as locals call it, is a force to be reckoned with. The region is home to 1.6 million people, placing its population at over three times that of the State of Wyoming. And it’s not only large, it’s economically strong: Valley businesses are responsible for employing about 20 percent of all Los Angeles County workers.

If the Valley were to form its own city, it would be the eighth largest in the U.S. In November 2002, a move to do just that was narrowly defeated. The Valley secession vote was supported by 51 percent of Valley residents, but the rest of the city didn’t agree and the move toward independence was halted. This means that, at least for the time being, the 345-square-mile “bowl” that is the San Fernando Valley will remain a part of the City of Los Angeles.

San Fernando Valley neighborhoods are grouped into four areas:

North Valley
Granada Hills | Mission Hills | North Hills | Sylmar

East Valley
Arleta/Pacoima | North Hollywood | Studio City | Sunland/Tujunga
Sun Valley | Toluca Lake | Valley Village

Mid Valley
Encino | Panorama City | Sherman Oaks | Tarzana | Van Nuys

West Valley
Canoga Park | Chatsworth | Northridge | Reseda | Winnetka | West Hills/Woodland Hills