This is a list of the top ten reasons I love living in the San Fernando Valley. I’ve lived in the val’ on and off my entire life, since I was born in Tarzana. I’ve lived in Canoga Park, North Hills, Lake Balboa (twice), Woodland Hills, Burbank, Valley Village, and even up to Santa Clarita! Here’s why I can’t fight the magnetic pull of the valley.
10. The Parks
In the immediate area around my house (I live in Lake Balboa), there are more than 7 parks, including one with a lake (Lake Balboa Park), one with a traditional Japanese Garden (Woodley Park), play grounds, dog parks, baseball fields (like at the Sepulveda Dam Sports Complex), basketball courts, running paths, bike paths, bird watching, kite flying, and more! Then we’ve got the biggest park around, and that’s Griffith Park. Technically this isn’t IN the valley, but half of it is. Sure the West Side has some parks, but there just aren’t as many cool ones.
9. The Sushi
My favorite sushi place, hands down is Katsuya in Studio City. This location is somewhat different than the fancy shmancy chain ones on the West Side. Sure, those ones are decorated by famous people like Phillippe Starck, but the food hasn’t made the journey over the hill very well. Anyway, go to Katsuya Studio City, order the Seared Ahi with Crispy Onions and the Creamy Rock Shrimp Tempura (even if you don’t see them on the menu) and then say “THANK YOU SEANA” as you’re fainting from the goodness after your first bite. But, if you don’t feel like waiting the wait (and Katsuya always has one) then hop on down Ventura and you’ll find many MANY more sushi places that are sure to adequately calm your sushi craving.
A mother racoon guides her babies across the street at dusk in Lake Balboa.
8. The Animals
I’m a die hard animal lover and out in the valley we have a veritable forest of critters.
We have cute, but curious racoons, creepy possums, skunks, bunnies, chickens (yes they escape) tons of fluffy squirrels, the occasional wild cat or coyote and many beautiful birds that stop in at the lake on their migration. Don’t forget their predators, hawks and owls! We’ve got those, too. Now, if you’re more of a PET lover, the valley offers many acres of Horse Properties that are zoned for keeping lots of different animals, such as goats, and horses.
7. The Home Prices
The price of real estate is still a little cheaper than it is on the West Side. Basically, you can just get more for your money. I think that’s why it feels like the suburbs out here sometimes.
This accordion bus beats traffic on it's own dedicated street.
6. The Orange Line
This bus line follows what used to be a railroad track. Now it’s been turned into a dedicated bus street, complete with it’s own landscaping and state of the art ticketing facilities. You can go all the way from Topanga Plaza to North Hollywood, where it connects to the subway. And guess what, it doesn’t get stuck in traffic because no other cars are allowed on it’s street!
5. Parking
Okay, parking may be a little bit of a pain on Ventura, but it’s still light years better than Santa Monica! Also, once you go north of Ventura about a block, ta-da, abundant (and usually free) parking. Guess what, the library has parking, the malls have parking, the restaurants have parking, the gym has parking, and it’s free! I think they’re trying to make parking illegal on the west side. At least it seems that way. The irony is, I’m not allowed to stop my car anywhere downtown, but I sure can’t move it because I’m stuck in gridlock traffic… which brings me to #4.
4. Less Traffic
I’ve been driving for a long time on the west side and downtown and so far I’ve only driven 3 blocks. Yuk Yuk Yuk. Seriously though, the traffic is much lighter in the valley than it is on the west side just due to sheer density of population. Also, many of the residents of the valley GO to the west side during the day for work, further freeing up our streets for driving the speed limit (as opposed to far far below it). But honestly, this IS Los Angeles, so you still can get stuck on the 101 and the 405 and Ventura, and Victory, and Van Nuys, but still… it’s better. Trust me.
3. The Mexican Food
There is a large hispanic population in the valley and lots of Mexican restaurants to go along with it. Technically, I’m Irish and German and Danish, but I like to say that I’m half Mexican cause I’ve primarily eaten Mexican cuisine most of my life (when I’m not eating sushi, that is) and I can make a damn good guacamole if I do say so myself. Unfortunately my spanish skills end at “Donde esta el bano.” Anyway, my favorite taco joint is Salsa and Beer. I’m so lucky because it’s walking distance from my house!
2. The Roses and Oranges
The weather in the San Fernando Valley is just perfect for growing both roses and oranges. In fact, since there were so many orange groves here before the area was developed in the 1950s, many of us have orange trees in our back yards! And the roses are just everywhere. They’re so easy to grow because they are drought tolerant and they love sun, and we’ve got lots of that! Which brings me to my number 1 reason:
1. The Weather
One of my favorite weather conditions is the warm evening. This is something that rarely happens near the coast in Los Angeles. Yesterday, I checked the weather and it was 85 in the valley and 65 in West LA. Brrr! Maybe I’m just a valley girl with thin blood, but I like it warm and that’s what you get in the San Fernando Valley. Sun, sun, sun! By the coast, they get a lot of “marine layer” that sometimes doesn’t burn off until late afternoon, but in the valley we get sunshine from the moment the sun comes up. I just love that. Sure, there’s the occasional rain shower and the temperatures do drop to the 50s in winter, but it’s still nice and sunny a lot of the time. Can’t beat that!
So there you have it. Seana’s top 10 reasons why living in the valley is “like, totally tubular!”
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