North Valley

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.

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.

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.