Overview
North Valley is the northern region of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. It is made up of the neighborhoods of Arleta, Granada Hills, Lakeview Terrace, Mission Hills, Northridge, North Hills, Pacoima, Panorama City, Sun Valley, Sunland, Sylmar, Tujunga, and the city of San Fernando.
6 sights · 10 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about North Valley
Mission San Fernando Rey de España
Founded in 1797 by Fermin Lasuen, this historic complex has a church and museum and is the 17th of California's 21 Spanish Missions. One of the few missions established after there had been significant development in the…
The Nethercutt Collection
The Nethercutt Collection is best known as an automotive museum (one of the five best in the United States according to Autoweek), but it also has collections of mechanical musical instruments and antique furniture, as w…
Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
The non-profit organization is the largest nursery devoted exclusively to California native plants in Los Angeles County, with more than 500 native species and a seed store with more than 500 species available. The organ…
Vida Church (formerly Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society)
Local landmark from the 1960s. Many events are held here from many different cultural and religious traditions.
Bull Creek
Where the motorcycle and semi truck chase scenes from Terminator 2 where filmed. The flood canal is not open to the public but can be viewed from sidewalks.
California State University Northridge
The sprawling campus with its art galleries, botanical gardens, much-filmed library (Sky High, Star Trek, etc.), and one of the last remaining orange groves in the Valley.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Burbank)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BUR Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport, Burbank — 8 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LAX Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles — 21 mi away (major hub). Directions
Interstate 5, the 405 Freeway, and I-210 run north-south through the area, with the 5 and 405 linking to Valley neighborhoods south while the 210 runs along the foothills to the San Gabriel Valley. CA-118 is a major east-west freeway that links the San Fernando and North Hills neighborhoods to those to the west, such as Northridge.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Mission San Fernando Rey de España, The Nethercutt Collection
- Lunch Tommy's
- Afternoon Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
- Dinner Pollo Campero
- Evening Norwood
Day 2
- Morning Vida Church (formerly Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society), California State University Northridge
- Lunch Galleria Market
- Afternoon Bull Creek
- Dinner India Sweets & Spices
- Evening Witches Brew Cocktail Lounge
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
North Hills is mainly residential but has a few sites of minor note including the Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society (nicknamed 'The Onion' for its appearance) and Bull Creek (where the motorcycle chase scene in Terminator 2 was filmed). North Hills has a deserved reputation as one of the Valley's major gang hotspots. Although generally safe during the day, exercise caution in this area at night.
Get in
Interstate 5, the 405 Freeway, and I-210 run north-south through the area, with the 5 and 405 linking to Valley neighborhoods south while the 210 runs along the foothills to the San Gabriel Valley. CA-118 is a major east-west freeway that links the San Fernando and North Hills neighborhoods to those to the west, such as Northridge.
Metrolink commuter trains serve the area. Northridge has a stop at 8775 Wilbur Ave along the weekday Ventura County Line, while the Sun Valley and Sylmar/San Fernando stops are served by the daily Antelope Valley Line. Metro offers bus service through the area.
See
See Mission San Fernando Rey de España
Founded in 1797 by Fermin Lasuen, this historic complex has a church and museum and is the 17th of California's 21 Spanish Missions. One of the few missions established after there had been significant development in the region. The Convento building (built in 1822) is apparently the largest adobe structure in California. Following a 1971 earthquake, the mission was restored in 1974. Bob Hope is buried in the memorial garden next to the church, and in the adjacent cemetery are buried Richie Valens and many other Hollywood celebrities who were Catholic.
See The Nethercutt Collection
The Nethercutt Collection is best known as an automotive museum (one of the five best in the United States according to Autoweek), but it also has collections of mechanical musical instruments and antique furniture, as well as two older-model railroad cars and a very large Wurlitzer Organ.
See Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
The non-profit organization is the largest nursery devoted exclusively to California native plants in Los Angeles County, with more than 500 native species and a seed store with more than 500 species available. The organization operates an annual wildflower hotline by +1 818-768-3533 and website that lists wildflower sites throughout California. It also hosts an annual Fall Festival with speakers, exhibits and a plant sale. The organization also organizes an annual garden tour that features home gardens that are 50% or more native throughout the Los Angeles Basin.
See Bull Creek
Where the motorcycle and semi truck chase scenes from Terminator 2 where filmed. The flood canal is not open to the public but can be viewed from sidewalks.
See California State University Northridge
The sprawling campus with its art galleries, botanical gardens, much-filmed library (Sky High, Star Trek, etc.), and one of the last remaining orange groves in the Valley.
Buy
Shop Northridge Fashion Center
A large indoor shopping mall anchored by Sears, Macy's, and JC Penney. There are also many businesses around it including Best Buy and Guitar Center.
Eat
Eat Tommy's
Popular chain of SoCal fast food joints known for their chili-cheese burgers and chili-cheese fries. Open 24 hours.
Eat Pollo Campero
Popular Latin American fast food chain featuring chicken, yuca fries, beans, and plantains.
Eat Galleria Market
A really nice Korean market that has a food court with many delicious foods to choose from.
Eat India Sweets & Spices
Vegetarian Indian, authentic Indian market and café.
Eat In N Out Burger
Famous chain of Southern California burger drive-ins. Open to 1AM (1:30AM on Fridays and Saturdays).
Eat Shik Do Rak
A delicious and fun Korean BBQ place.
Eat Italia bakery and deli
A cute little Italian deli with some of the best sausage sandwiches around.
Eat The Pizza Cookery
Try the garlic rolls! Vegan, Vegetarian, and gluten-free menus are available.
Eat The Bear Pit
Delicious BBQ, tater tots and garlic toast.
Eat Casa de Pizza
Family-run pizzeria serving hearty Italian fare in a quaint dining room devoted to Frank Sinatra.
Drink
Drink Norwood
Slightly upscale neighborhood lounge with karaoke and live music on some nights.
Drink Witches Brew Cocktail Lounge
Neighborhood bar that is witch-themed.
Sleep
Most accommodations in this area are cheap motels or those of the chain variety. Sepulveda Boulevard in North Hills, in particular, is lined with cheap motels, many of which used to cater to prostitution and drug activity but claim to have cleaned up. Stay at them with low expectations.
Go next
Pasadena- 210 East. About 20 minutes away with no traffic.
Simi Valley- 118 West. About 30 minutes away, depending on traffic.
Los Angeles- 5 South. Between 25 minutes and 1 hour away.
Make sure to allow lots of time during weekdays.
Santa Monica- 405 South to 10 West. About 30 minutes away, depending on traffic.
Lancaster- 5 North to 14 North. About 1 hour away.
Valencia- 5 North. About 15 minutes away.
Nearby
Van Nuys
City / town · 22 listings · 4 mi away
South Valley
City / town · 16 listings · 5 mi away
Sherman Oaks
City / town · 13 listings · 6 mi away
Chatsworth
City / town · 10 listings · 7 mi away
North Hollywood
City / town · 10 listings · 7 mi away
Studio City
City / town · 14 listings · 8 mi away
Burbank
City / town · 32 listings · 10 mi away
Universal City
City / town · 10 mi away
My experience
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