Overview
Studio City is an area in the San Fernando Valley, just to the west of Universal City and about 12 miles NW of Downtown LA. As its name implies, Studio City arose to support the motion picture studios with affordable housing for their employees. Some of the studio's biggest stars, such as Gene Autry, lived in the hills of Studio City (more recently, George Clooney). Studio City flourished in the 1950s and early 1960s and has become a trendy, upscale neighborhood with great restaurants and shopping. Radford Studios and nearby Universal Studios are still major centers of film and TV production. Ventura Boulevard's "sushi alley" is home to perhaps the largest concentration of sushi restaurants in the Los Angeles area.
4 sights · 1 things to do · 4 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Studio City
Brady Residence
The \ house was built in 1959 and was used for the exterior shots of the famous Brady Bunch Residence in the 1970s TV sitcom. The inside and the backyard scenes took place on sound stage #5 at Paramount Studios in Hollyw…
CBS Studio Center
Was founded as Mack Sennett Studios, home of the Keystone Kops and Charlie Chaplin's earliest American films. It later became the Republic Pictures lot, and more recently it has been home to such sitcoms as Seinfeld and …
Campo de Cahuenga
Reconstruction of a historic adobe. During the Mexican-American War, the 1847 Treaty of Cahuenga was signed here and it is displayed there. It also served as a stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail and a Civil War encamp…
Wilacre Park
Offers panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley. The Betty B. Dearing Trail starts at the main parking lot and, after a short steep climb, levels off and begins a gentle descent before ending at a residential street. A…
Pinz
Probably the best bowling alley in Los Angeles. Features excellent lanes, glow-in-the-dark bowling at night, arcade, and more.
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 — 4 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LAX Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles — 14 mi away (major hub). Directions
U.S. Route 101 connects Studio City to Hollywood and Downtown LA, as well as to Interstate 405, which is the primary route to West Los Angeles and LAX Airport. Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon Boulevard traverse the Santa Monica Mountains and connect Studio City to West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, respectively.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Brady Residence, Campo de Cahuenga, CBS Studio Center
- Lunch Katsu-Ya
- Afternoon Wilacre Park, Pinz
- Dinner Studio Sushi
- Evening Laurel Tavern
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
The majority of the restaurants in Studio City are located along Ventura Boulevard. The stretch of Ventura closest to the border with Universal City is LA's "sushi alley", with literally dozens of sushi restaurants. Those who aren't fans of raw fish will also find offerings to their liking in this area, as well as in other locations throughout the city.
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
U.S. Route 101 connects Studio City to Hollywood and Downtown LA, as well as to Interstate 405, which is the primary route to West Los Angeles and LAX Airport. Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon Boulevard traverse the Santa Monica Mountains and connect Studio City to West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, respectively.
Studio City is also accessible via the Metro Red Line subway (Studio City/Universal City Station), which connects Studio City to Downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood, as well as North Hollywood, where you can transfer to the Metro Orange Line, which travels to Warner Center in the West San Fernando Valley. Ventura Boulevard is served by Metro bus routes #150, #240, and the (weekday only) Metro Rapid #750, which travel from the Studio City/Universal City Station to the West San Fernando Valley.
Get around
Ventura Boulevard is the main thoroughfare through Studio City. The most pedestrian-friendly stretch is located between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Whitsett Avenue. A landscaped walking trail follows the south bank of the Los Angeles River (just north of Ventura Boulevard), from Whitsett Avenue to Radford Avenue.
See
See Brady Residence (Brady Bunch House)
The \ house was built in 1959 and was used for the exterior shots of the famous Brady Bunch Residence in the 1970s TV sitcom. The inside and the backyard scenes took place on sound stage #5 at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. It is said to be the country's most visited house after the White House in Washington, D.C., and it can only be viewed from the public street, as it used to be a private residence. In 2018 the house went on the market for the first time in decades, for $1.88 million, and was sold to HGTV for $3.5 million. HGTV added 2,000 sq ft to the back (for the bedrooms) and renovated the inside to match what was on the set. It was the filming location for a Very Brady Renovation (2019) showing the renovation process and the reunion of the people who played the Brady kids from back then. The Brady Bunch set at Paramount Studios was also used once in Mission Impossible and twice on Mannix while the Brady Bunch was still in production. By the 1990s the set was reconstructed for the filming of "Sunshine Days" an episode of the X Files television series. The house was sold again, for $3.2 million in 2023. The house is preserved as a historic home and is used for private parties and a limited access museum to television history. It was designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2026.
See CBS Studio Center
Was founded as Mack Sennett Studios, home of the Keystone Kops and Charlie Chaplin's earliest American films. It later became the Republic Pictures lot, and more recently it has been home to such sitcoms as Seinfeld and That '70s Show. Unfortunately, the studio is not open to the public for tours, but many television shows are still produced here and with careful planning you can attend the taping of a show; tvtickets.com is one resource to look into.
See Wilacre Park
Offers panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley. The Betty B. Dearing Trail starts at the main parking lot and, after a short steep climb, levels off and begins a gentle descent before ending at a residential street. A walk up the trail and back to the parking lot through residential streets takes about an hour to complete. Parking is $1.
Do
Buy
Eat
The majority of the restaurants in Studio City are located along Ventura Boulevard. The stretch of Ventura closest to the border with Universal City is LA's "sushi alley", with literally dozens of sushi restaurants. Those who aren't fans of raw fish will also find offerings to their liking in this area, as well as in other locations throughout the city.
Eat Studio Sushi
Located just off Ventura Blvd along Studio City's "sushi alley", this small restaurant offers up amazing fresh fish at reasonable prices. Be sure to share a cup of warm saki with Jay, the friendly owner. Dinner for two, including sake, will cost between $40 and $60.
Eat Carney's
Unofficially endorsed by Jay Leno, Carney's operates from a bright yellow rail car, serving what it calls "Probably the best hot dogs and hamburgers in the world". The chilidogs and chili chesseburgers are probably worthy contenders-- and the whole experience, with indoor and outdoor seating, is good, clean, cheap fun. A second location is on the Sunset Strip.
Eat Katsu-Ya
Another of the "sushi alley" restaurants, Katsu-Ya offers really good sushi at reasonable prices. The baked crab roll is a specialty and should not be missed. Parking is tough to find so plan on using the valet for $3.50. Waits can be long, so call for reservations. Dinner for two will cost between $40 and $60 with sake.
Eat Vivian's
A tasty and reasonably-priced casual dining spot, offering standard breakfast fare (try the banana pancakes) and simple lunch and dinner entrees. The outdoor patio is a neat spot to dine amongst trees and flowers. Expect to pay $5 - $8 per person for breakfast, slightly more for lunch and dinner.
Drink
Drink Laurel Tavern
An upscale gastropub with several Californian craft beers (Old Rasputin, Arrogant Bastard, etc.) on tap as well as a full bar, and gourmet burgers.
Sleep
Go next
- Sherman Oaks - This neighboring city is home to stores, theaters, restaurants, and more attractions designed to tempt the shopaholic.
- Universal City - Studio City's neighbor to the east is home to Universal Studios.
- North Hollywood - Not to be confused with Hollywood, North Hollywood is a mostly-residential city that borders Studio City to the north.
Nearby
North Hollywood
City / town · 10 listings · 2 mi away
Universal City
City / town · 3 mi away
Sherman Oaks
City / town · 13 listings · 3 mi away
Van Nuys
City / town · 22 listings · 4 mi away
Beverly Hills
City / town · 32 listings · 5 mi away
Burbank
City / town · 32 listings · 5 mi away
West Hollywood
City / town · 40 listings · 5 mi away
South Valley
City / town · 16 listings · 6 mi away
My experience
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