Van Nuys, CA

Van Nuys is a Los Angeles neighborhood on the northwest side of the city around Interstate 405 in the San Fernando Valley. Named after rancher Isaac N. Van Nuys, this diverse area dates back to 1911. Proud homeowners of small, well-kept bungalows from the early 1900s organized the Van Nuys Historic District to preserve the character of old Van Nuys. But other neighborhoods have been strained by crime and an influx of poor immigrants. In recent years, two sections of Van Nuys -- Lake Balboa and Valley Glen -- seceded from the neighborhood.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Van Nuys has many apartment buildings, making it one of the most densely-populated areas of Los Angeles. Van Nuys districts include:

• The Historic District consists of roughly one square mile around the Civic Center, between Vanowen Street on the north, Gilmore Street on the south, Hazeltine Avenue on the east, and Kester Avenue on the west. Houses here include restored Craftsman and Spanish Revival bungalows in a wide range of sizes and prices.
• Lake Balboa, which seceded from Van Nuys in 2007, is an area of modest ranch homes west of Interstate 405, and is generally considered a more desirable place to live.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Van Nuys was once the downtown of the San Fernando Valley. Today its economy includes a mixture of services and manufacturing businesses, although the entertainment industry is also a key contributor to local revenues, with many television shows and movies filmed here. Major employers in Van Nuys include:

• The Van Nuys Civic Center, which has a large concentration of city and county government offices.
• Van Nuys Airport, the world's busiest general aviation (noncommercial) airport.
• Bunim/Murray Productions, creator of the MTV series "The Real World"
• Easton-Bell Sports, manufacturer of sporting helmets, hockey sticks, and baseball bats
• Cherokee Inc., a licenser of clothing brands
• MGA Entertainment, maker of Bratz dolls

BEST BETS

• Walking tours led by board members of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley, headquartered in neighboring Valley Glen, provide a glimpse into Van Nuys's more notable landmarks.
• The Panorama City Mall in nearby Panorama City a small mall with mainly low-budget stores.
• The Plant Shopping Center, once a Chevrolet factory, is now a mall with several stores and restaurants, as well as a movie theater.
• Los Encinos State Historic Park in nearby Encino preserves the area's Mexican ranchero culture.

EVENTS

• A Farmers' Market occurs on Sunday mornings at Anthony C. Beilenson Park.
• WorldFest in Woodley Park is the largest Earth Day festival in Los Angeles.
• The Israel Independence Day Festival takes place in May.
• Lanka Fest on the 4th of July celebrates Sri Lankan culture with cricket and carom tournaments, food, and music.
• Sons of Norway Community Dinner in September features traditional Norwegian fare.
• Lake Balboa Music Experience in October has music, dancing, food, drinks, and other activities.
• Van Nuys Health Fair and Family Festival in October offers free medical information, rides, food, and entertainment.
• Halloween Carnival sponsored by the Parks Department includes food, contests, and crafts.

FOR VISITORS

• Anthony C. Beilenson Park (formerly known as Lake Buena Park) is an expansive facility with a large pond for fishing and boating.
• Woodley Park is popular for picnics. It also has ball fields, a model airplane field, an archery range, cricket fields, and a wildlife reservation area.
• The Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area encompasses Beilenson Park and Woodley Park. It stretches along Van Nuys and Encino and features more than 2,000 acres of parkland, as well as a popular bike trail.
• Delano Recreation Center sports ball fields, picnic areas, and an auditorium.
• The Japanese Garden boasts both traditional dry and wet gardens.
• Skaters and skateboarders practice tricks at Pedlow Skatepark. This expansive skating bowl features many obstacles.
• Visitors can swim, play water polo, or learn synchronized swimming at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Pool.
• The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and local beaches are a short drive away for hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, and surfing.
• A short drive to the north, the Angeles National Forest provides opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and off-highway vehicle riding.
• Golfers can choose from three golf courses in Van Nuys.

EDUCATION

• Los Angeles Valley College is a two-year community college in Glen Valley.
• Marian College is a private community college that focuses on the healthcare industry.
• Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art offers both fulltime and part-time instruction for artists.
• Van Nuys High School contains a regular senior high school program, plus three magnet programs in math-science, medical careers, and performing arts.

Van Nuys is also close to California State University-Northridge and the University of California-Los Angeles.

SPORTS TEAMS

Van Nuys sports fans cheer for Los Angeles' professional teams, which include:

• Baseball: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Basketball: Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA)
• Hockey: Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings
• Soccer: Club Deportivo Chivas USA, Los Angeles Galaxy

GETTING AROUND

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority manages public transportation options in Van Nuys. Sixteen bus routes travel throughout Van Nuys. The Metro Orange Line also runs through the neighborhood.

LOCAL MEDIA

Van Nuys is in the Los Angeles media market. The neighborhood's affairs are covered by three Los Angeles newspapers:

• The Los Angeles Times
• LA Weekly
• Los Angeles Daily News