South Valley

Reseda grew into a prominent town after World War II when many of the existing ranches and orange groves were converted to housing for the returning soldiers. Today the population hovers around 80,000. The town has been featured in several movies and songs, most notably 1984's Karate Kid as the home of the title character. Tom Petty's hit Free Fallin also features the town in the lyric "It's a long day livin' in Reseda. There's a freeway runnin' through the yard".
Tarzana was named after the Tarzana Ranch, which was owned in the early 1900s by Edgar Rice Burroughs, author of the Tarzan stories. The land was later subdivided and sold, and in the late 1920s the residents named the town Tarzana.
Woodland Hills is an average middle class Los Angeles neighborhood, remarkable for the numerous Persian restaurants along Ventura Blvd in the south as well as the medium-density new city development known as Warner Center. Topanga Canyon Blvd provides the most scenic road from Los Angeles to the beach, with a small hippie community called Topanga along the way. However, Woodland Hills is not generally acknowledged as a tourist destination.

Encino is located along US-101 and I-405.
Tarzana is located along US-101 a few miles west of its intersection with I-405.
West Hills is accessible by car from either the 101 Freeway or the 118 Freeway.
Reseda is located a few miles northwest of the intersection of US-101 and I-405.
Woodland Hills is accessible by car from the 101 Freeway.

An automobile is essential for getting around the South Valley. Metro buses are also an option, and the Orange Line has a stop at Warner Center.

• Movies at the Encino Town Center.

• Shadow Ranch

  phone: +1 818 883-3637
  address: 22633 Vanowen St
  Historical site.

• Candy Cane LaneA charmingly decorated street at Christmastime.

• Mountain Biking - There are plenty of trails in the Santa Monica Mountains, Verdugo Hills and the various canyons. A great ride starts at the south end of Reseda, or stop part way up and begin at Caberello Canyon. Ride up to dirt Mulholland and go either north or south. If you go south you will see the Nike Site (missiles were stored there during the cold war) or north and ride over to Trippet Ranch, Will Rogers park, Eagle Rock or to the lookout point. Great riding - single track and fire roads.

• Woodland Hills Country Club

  phone: +1 818 818-347-1511
  address: 21150 Dumetz Rd
  M - F: 7AM – Sunset, Sa-Su & Holidays: 6:30AM – Sunset. 18 hole golf course with restaurant.

• Fallbrook Center

  phone: +1 818 885-9700
  address: 6633 Fallbrook Ave
  Anchored by Mervyn's, Kohl's, Michael's and Target.

• Promenade Mall

  phone: +1 818 594-8732
  address: 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd
  M - F: 10AM - 9PM, Sa: 10AM - 8PM, Sun: 11AM - 7PM. Upscale shopping. Casual dining and a movie theatrer.

• Topanga Plaza

  phone: +1 818 594-8732
  address: 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd
  Chain store shopping.

• Bahar Cuisine Restaurant

• Red Square Restaurant

  phone: +1 818 783-6300
  address: 17209 Ventura Blvd. Encino, CA
  Great food, Banquets and Parties, Free parking

• Stonefire Grill

  phone: +1 818 887-4145
  address: 6405 Fallbrook Ave
  Pizza, pasta and BBQ. $15.00 - $25.00.

• Big Mo's Sub Shop

  phone: +1 818 884-5131
  address: 22720 Roscoe Blvd
  M - Sa: 9AM - 8PM; Su: 9AM - 5PM. Best sub shop in the valley. $5.00 - $10.00.

• Brandywine

  phone: +1 818 225-9114
  address: 22757 Ventura Blvd
  Mon - Fri: 11:30AM - 2:30PM, 5:30PM - 10:30PM; Sat: 5:30PM - 10:30PM. One of the best restaurants in the valley. Reservations required as restaurant is small and books up early. Very expensive.

• La Frite

  phone: +1 818 225-1331
  address: 22616 Ventura Blvd
  Su-Th: 11AM - 10PM; F-Sa: 11AM - 11PM. Charming French restaurant, very reliable food quality. $15 - $30.

• Pizza Cookery

  phone: +1 818 887-4770
  address: 6209 Topanga Canyon Blvd
  Casual pizzeria with sawdust on the floor. The garlic rolls have a cult following. $15 - $30.

• Salsa & Beer

  phone: +1 818 609-8877
  address: 6740 White Oak Ave
  Mexican.

• Shalimar Cuisine of India

  phone: +1 818 225-7794
  address: 23011 Ventura Blvd
  The perfect Indian restaurant for British ex-pats. $10 - $20.

• Paladino's Valley Music and Sports Lounge

  phone: +1-818-342-1563
  address: 6101 Reseda Blvd
  Paladino's has a well-deserved reputation as a venue for LA's greatest tribute bands - you probably won't ever see your favorite band in a small venue, so Paladino's may be the next best thing. They're also an occasional stop for major acts and local talent. Those not into music will find drinks a-plenty, pool, respectable bar food, free wireless internet, and more than a little bit of rock 'n roll attitude.

• Pickwick Pub

  phone: +1 818 340-9673
  address: 21010 Ventura Blvd
  Quintessential British pub.

• The Rack

  phone: +1 818 716-0123
  address: 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd
  Pool lounge

• Comfort Inn

  phone: +1 818 347-8080
  address: 20157 Ventura Blvd

• Extended Stay America

  phone: +1 818 710-1170
  address: 20205 Ventura Blvd
  From $89 per night.

• Hilton Woodland Hills & Towers

  phone: +1 818 595-1000
  address: 6360 Canoga Ave

• Holiday Inn Woodland Hills

  phone: +1 818 883-6110
  address: 21101 Ventura Blvd
  From $143 per night.

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites

  phone: +1 818 222-2299
  address: 22617 Ventura Blvd.
  Offers free breakfast, free Internet access and hotel vacation packages

• Warner Center Marriott

  phone: +1 818 887-4800
  address: 21850 Oxnard St
  474 refreshed rooms and suites. Indoor and outdoor pools.