Simone Lawson
The San Fernando Valley is a region of Los Angeles County, California, comprising 34 neighbourhoods and several cities, including Burbank, Glendale, San Fernando, Hidden Hills, and Calabasas. The valley, covering 260 square miles, is bounded by the San Gabriel Mountains in the northeast, the Verdugo Mountains in the east, the Santa Monica Mountains and Chalk Hills in the south, the Simi Hills in the west, and the Santa Susana Mountains in the northwest. The region experiences a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The San Fernando Valley is known for its diverse cultural and linguistic history, having been home to indigenous communities such as the Tongva, Fernandeño, and Chumash for thousands of years before Spanish colonisation in the late 18th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Los Angeles County, California, U.S. |
| Geography | 260 square miles (670 square km) |
| Boundaries | San Gabriel Mountains (northeast), Verdugo Mountains (east), Santa Monica Mountains and Chalk Hills (south), Simi Hills (west), Santa Susana Mountains (northwest) |
| Elevation | 600-1,200 ft (180-370 m) above sea level |
| Climate | Subtropical/hot-summer Mediterranean with long, hot, dry summers and short, mild winters |
| History | Centre of "the crossroads of cultures and languages, including the Tongva, Fernandeño, and Chumash" for over 8,000 years; first Spanish land grant in 1797 |
| Cities | Burbank, Glendale, San Fernando, Hidden Hills, Calabasas, Northridge, Arleta, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Granada Hills, Lake View Terrace, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, North Hills, Pacoima, Panorama City, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Sun Valley, Sunland, Tarzana, Toluca Lake, Tujunga, Van Nuys, Valley Village, West Hills, Winnetka, Woodland Hills |
| Neighbourhoods | 34 neighbourhoods according to Mapping L.A. |
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What You'll Learn
Geography and climate
The San Fernando Valley is a region of Los Angeles County, California, in the United States. It is a valley of 260 square miles (670 square km) in Southern California, lying northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The valley is bounded by the San Gabriel Mountains in the northeast, the Verdugo Mountains in the east, the Santa Monica Mountains and Chalk Hills in the south, the Simi Hills in the west, and the Santa Susana Mountains in the northwest. The elevation of the valley floor varies from about 600 ft (180 m) to 1,200 ft (370 m) above sea level. The Los Angeles River, which is fed by creeks with headwaters in the foothills of the surrounding mountain ranges, provides primary drainage for the valley. Several water-storage reservoirs and a large flood-control dam and reservoir are also located in the valley.
The San Fernando Valley has a subtropical, hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with long, hot, dry summers and short, mild winters with chilly nights and sporadic rainfall. Summer days tend to be hotter, and winter nights tend to be colder, in the valley than in the Los Angeles basin. Recent statewide droughts in California have further strained the valley's water security.
The valley's natural habitat is a "temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome" of grassland, oak savanna, and chaparral shrub habitats, along with riparian plants along the river, creeks, and springs. Before the arrival of the Spanish in 1769, the valley was home to the Tongva, Fernandeño, and Chumash peoples, who had numerous settlements and trading and hunting camps. The Spanish established the Mission San Fernando Rey de España in 1797, and the valley later became a centre of agriculture, with crops including grapes, figs, olives, and garden produce.
The San Fernando Valley includes 34 neighbourhoods within the city of Los Angeles, as well as the cities of Burbank, Glendale, San Fernando, Hidden Hills, and Calabasas. The valley is not a single political unit, and its boundaries are inconsistently defined. Many of its neighbourhoods straddle more than one ZIP code, and data gathering about the valley requires identifying relevant ZIP codes or Census tracts.
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History
The San Fernando Valley is a region of Los Angeles County, California, with a subtropical climate and a diverse natural habitat. The valley is bounded by several mountain ranges, including the San Gabriel Mountains, the Verdugo Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Simi Hills. Covering an area of 260 square miles, the valley is home to various cities, neighbourhoods, and communities, each with its own unique history and characteristics.
The history of the San Fernando Valley dates back thousands of years, with indigenous tribes such as the Tongva, Fernandeño, and Chumash inhabiting the region for over 8,000 years before the arrival of the Spanish in 1769. These early inhabitants thrived in the valley, establishing numerous settlements, trading camps, and hunting grounds. The Spanish colonisation brought significant changes to the region, with the establishment of missions and the displacement of indigenous communities.
One of the first Spanish land grants in the valley was called "Rancho Encino," located in present-day Mission Hills. Juan Francisco Reyes built an adobe dwelling near a Tongva village at natural springs known as Achooykomenga. However, the land was taken from him to build Mission San Fernando Rey de España, founded in 1797 as the 17th of 21 missions in California. This mission was established on the former settlement of Encino Rancho, and its name originated from the Portola Expedition, which arrived in the valley in 1769 and encountered abundant live oaks.
The valley's cities and neighbourhoods have evolved over time, with some changing names and boundaries. For example, North Hills was originally an agricultural community known as Mission Acres, while Pacoima, which was born from the purchase of land from the Maclay Rancho Water Co., briefly changed its name to "Mulholland" in 1912 to capitalise on William Mulholland's popularity. Another example is North Hollywood, which was established by the Lankershim Ranch Land and Water Company in 1887 and underwent several name changes before becoming North Hollywood in 1927.
The San Fernando Valley has played a significant role in the entertainment industry, with Universal City, an unincorporated area in the southern part of the valley, housing the Universal Studios filming lot and theme park. The valley's connections to other regions, such as the Santa Clarita Valley and Hollywood, have also contributed to its cultural and economic development. Today, the San Fernando Valley is a diverse and vibrant region, known for its suburban communities, natural beauty, and rich cultural history.
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Neighbourhoods
The San Fernando Valley is a region of Los Angeles County, California, with a subtropical climate and a diverse cultural and linguistic history. The valley is home to several Los Angeles suburban communities, including 34 neighbourhoods catalogued by Mapping L.A., a Los Angeles Times resource.
The valley's neighbourhoods include Arleta, which was previously part of Pacoima until the 1960s when residents successfully petitioned to become an independent community. Bell Canyon, which falls within the valley's boundaries, was named for Charles Bell, Calabasas Justice of the Peace. Chatsworth was originally known as Chatsworth Park, named after Chatsworth House, the family seat of the Duke of Devonshire in the United Kingdom. Encino, Spanish for 'oak', was so-called by the 1769 Portola Expedition due to the abundance of oak trees in the area.
Glendale, meaning 'valley of fertile, low-lying arable land', originated from a Gaelic word and was chosen by residents in 1884. North Hills was once an agricultural community known as Mission Acres, and after World War II, it was renamed Sepulveda. North Hollywood was established in 1887 and was first named Toluca before being renamed Lankershim, and finally North Hollywood in 1927. Panorama City was created in 1947 by developer Fritz Burns and was the first planned community on the West Coast. Porter Ranch was named after the ranch owned by Benjamin F. Porter.
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Demographics
The San Fernando Valley is a region of Los Angeles County, California, with an area of 260 square miles (670 sq km). It includes cities such as Burbank, Glendale, San Fernando, Hidden Hills, and Calabasas, as well as many neighbourhoods within Los Angeles, including Northridge, Canoga Park, Encino, North Hollywood, and Van Nuys, among others. The valley is not a single political unit, and its boundaries are inconsistently defined.
The valley's elevation ranges from 600 ft (180 m) to 1,200 ft (370 m) above sea level. It is bounded by the San Gabriel Mountains to the northeast, the Verdugo Mountains to the east, the Santa Monica Mountains and Chalk Hills to the south, the Simi Hills to the west, and the Santa Susana Mountains to the northwest. The region experiences a subtropical/hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with long, hot, dry summers and short, mild winters.
The San Fernando Valley has a rich cultural and linguistic history. Before Spanish colonisation in 1769, the valley was inhabited by the Tongva, Tataviam, and Chumash peoples for over 8,000 years. These indigenous groups had numerous settlements and trading and hunting camps throughout the region.
Demographically, the San Fernando Valley has a population density of 6,394 people per square mile. Panorama City is the most densely populated neighbourhood, while Shadow Hills is the least dense. The neighbourhood of Winnetka is considered the most ethnically diverse, while San Fernando is the least diverse. Porter Ranch is the wealthiest neighbourhood, and Van Nuys is the least wealthy.
In terms of education, 26.3% of residents aged 25 and older in the San Fernando Valley hold a four-year degree. Porter Ranch has the highest rate of degree-holders, while Pacoima has the lowest. Encino has the oldest population, and Pacoima has the youngest.
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Water security
The San Fernando Valley is a region of Los Angeles County, California, with a subtropical, hot-summer Mediterranean climate. It is characterised by long, hot, dry summers and short, mild winters with sporadic rainfall. This climate, coupled with its inland location, makes the San Fernando Valley susceptible to higher temperatures and colder winter nights than the Los Angeles basin.
The San Fernando Valley encompasses various cities and neighbourhoods, including Burbank, San Fernando, Northridge, Canoga Park, and Studio City. The region's water supply is managed by the City of San Fernando, which provides water services to residents and businesses. Water meters are read using hand-held devices and computer systems, and billing is issued every two months. Late payments are not tolerated, and failure to pay on time results in penalty fees and, eventually, water shut-off.
Water conservation efforts are also encouraged in the San Fernando Valley. Organisations like Valley Water offer rebates to residents who transform their lawns into water-wise landscapes, helping to reduce outdoor water waste and promote efficient irrigation practices. Additionally, the valley's history as a cultural crossroads, including indigenous groups such as the Tongva, Fernandeño, and Chumash, highlights the importance of sustainable water management for the region's diverse communities.
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Frequently asked questions
The San Fernando Valley is located in Los Angeles County, California.
The San Fernando Valley has a subtropical, hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with long, hot, dry summers and short, mild winters.
The San Fernando Valley includes the cities of Burbank, Glendale, San Fernando, Hidden Hills, and Calabasas.
Some neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley include Northridge, Arleta, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Granada Hills, and Lake View Terrace.
