What It Feels Like to Live in Studio City

One of my favorite things about Studio City is Ventura Boulevard. It really is the heart of the neighborhood.

There are stretches where you can park the car, grab a coffee, browse a few shops, meet a friend for lunch and stay for dinner. You'll find longtime neighborhood favorites mixed with newer restaurants, boutiques, fitness studios, markets and coffee shops.

Some of my favorite coffee stops are Alfred, Cafe Matcha, Coffee and Plants and Lynx Coffee. It's easy to meet a friend, grab something before work or just stop in while you're out running errands.

That's part of what gives Studio City that walkable, neighborhood main-street feeling that can be hard to find in Los Angeles.

And Then There's the Sushi

If you've lived in Los Angeles for a while, you may have heard this part of Ventura Boulevard called "Sushi Row."

Studio City has been known for sushi for decades. Teru Sushi opened on Ventura Boulevard in 1979, and over the years chefs like Kazunori Nozawa, Katsuya Uechi and Tetsuya Nakao helped turn this part of the Valley into a serious dining destination.

Restaurants including Teru Sushi, Asanebo, Katsu-ya and Iroha became part of the neighborhood, while the influence of the original Sushi Nozawa eventually expanded into concepts like Sugarfish and KazuNori.

And that sushi culture has continued west along Ventura Boulevard through Sherman Oaks and Encino. Here's a fun fact: Ventura Boulevard now has three Michelin-starred restaurants along the Valley corridor — Shin Sushi and Pasta|Bar in Encino and Sushi Note in Sherman Oaks.

So when people think some of the best dining in Los Angeles is only on the other side of the hill, Ventura Boulevard has something to say about that.

The Food Scene Is Always Changing

One of the fun things about Studio City is that there always seems to be somewhere new to try.

For a casual lunch or dinner, some of my favorites include:

• Joan's on Third
• Great White
• Prince Street Pizza
• Highly Likely
• Ggiata
• Heavy Handed

And for a night out, Firefly has long been one of those classic Studio City spots.

You don't really have to plan a big night out. You can decide at 5:00 that you want dinner, head toward Ventura Boulevard and find just about anything you're in the mood for.

The Sportsmen's Lodge Has Become Its Own Destination

The redevelopment around the historic Sportsmen's Lodge has added another whole lifestyle center to the neighborhood.

• Work out at Equinox
• Pick up groceries or something special at Erewhon
• Have lunch or dinner at Sugarfish

It's a perfect example of what Studio City has become — a place where fitness, food, shopping and everyday errands all mix together.

If You Like a Good Workout Class…

Studio City has no shortage of options. Some of my favorites include:

• Pilates Plus
• Tribe Pilates
• Training Mate
• Oblix

Whether you're into Pilates, strength training or a high-energy group workout, there are so many choices right around Ventura Boulevard. You can take a morning class, grab a coffee afterward and be on with your day without leaving the neighborhood.

Shopping Along Ventura

The shopping is another reason I enjoy this part of Studio City. You'll find brands like:

• Alo, Reformation, Vuori and Urban Outfitters
• Resale favorites like Wasteland and Crossroads
• Barnes & Noble — housed inside a beautifully converted former movie theater
• Smaller local businesses like Annabelle's Book Club, Framebridge and Hide & Seek
• Bone Sweet Bone — a neighborhood staple if you have a dog

It's that mix of recognizable names and independent businesses that keeps Ventura Boulevard interesting.

Sunday Morning Feels Very Studio City

One of the best examples of the neighborhood lifestyle is a Sunday morning.

• Head to the Studio City Farmers Market around Ventura Place
• Grab breakfast, pick up produce, walk around
• Stop somewhere nearby for coffee or lunch
• Take a workout class first, meet a friend for coffee afterward
• Wander through the market, then hike in the nearby hills or head back to Ventura Boulevard for dinner

That's what I think makes Studio City appealing. Your everyday life doesn't necessarily require driving across Los Angeles for everything.

Just Off Ventura Boulevard, Everything Changes

Drive a few minutes away from the Boulevard and Studio City becomes much quieter. You'll find tree-lined residential streets, traditional homes, newer contemporary houses and beautiful hillside properties tucked into the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains.

The areas south of Ventura Boulevard are especially popular because you can have a peaceful residential setting while still being just minutes from restaurants, shopping, fitness studios and coffee. That combination is one of the things that makes Studio City special.

A Little Hollywood Without Feeling Like Hollywood

Studio City grew up around the entertainment industry, and that history is still very much part of the neighborhood. Writers, producers, actors and other entertainment professionals have lived here for generations.

But Studio City doesn't really feel like Hollywood. It feels more relaxed, residential and neighborhood-oriented.

What Living in Studio City Really Feels Like

For me, the appeal of Studio City is the lifestyle. You can live on a quiet street and still be just a few blocks from great restaurants, workout studios, coffee shops, boutiques, bookstores and the Farmers Market.

• You have the hills
• You have incredible sushi
• You have places like the Sportsmen's Lodge
• And you have Ventura Boulevard running right through the middle of it all

If you're thinking about moving to the San Fernando Valley and want somewhere that gives you a little bit of city life while still feeling residential, Studio City is definitely worth exploring.

Thinking about making Studio City home? I'd love to show you around, introduce you to the different neighborhoods and help you find the part of Studio City that feels right for you.