Los Angeles County · CA
San Fernando Valley real estate
More space and more options, over the hill.
Living in the Valley
The San Fernando Valley offers a more suburban side of Los Angeles, with residential neighborhoods, tree-lined streets and, in many areas, more space than you typically find on the Westside. Neighborhoods along the southern edge of the Valley, including Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino and Tarzana, are especially popular for their combination of residential living and easy access to the restaurants, shops and businesses along Ventura Boulevard. Farther west, communities like Woodland Hills offer larger homes and lots, access to hiking and open space, and a feeling of being a little farther removed from the center of the city. For many buyers, the appeal of the Valley is the opportunity for more house, a larger yard or a pool while still being within Los Angeles.
What Is My Home Worth?
The homes
Homes in the San Fernando Valley are incredibly varied, but much of the area was developed during the postwar boom of the 1950s and '60s. You'll find everything from classic California Ranch and Mid-Century Modern homes to remodeled properties, newer contemporary construction and larger custom estates. Many Valley neighborhoods are known for wider lots, single-story floor plans, generous backyards and pools, giving buyers opportunities for more indoor-outdoor living and space. In areas like Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City and Tarzana, the landscape changes as you move toward the foothills, where you'll also find hillside homes, views, larger properties and distinctive custom architecture.
The Valley or the Westside?
The same budget, say $2 million, buys a very different home on the Westside than in the Valley. The Valley often offers more space, a bigger yard or a pool. The Westside trades some of that for a cooler climate and being closer to the coast. Summers in the Valley are considerably hotter, because the mountains block the cooling ocean air.
Where you go every day matters too. If you work on the Westside, how often you'll cross the Sepulveda Pass or another canyon route can decide it. The right choice comes down to your budget, what you want everyday life to look like and where you spend your time.
Buying or selling in the Valley
I have sold homes across the Valley, including Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Toluca Lake, Reseda and Burbank. If you are thinking about selling your Valley home or buying in the San Fernando Valley, I would love to connect!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the San Fernando Valley part of Los Angeles?
Much of it is. Neighborhoods like Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, Reseda and Woodland Hills are part of the City of Los Angeles, while Burbank is its own city.
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