Panorama City, CA

The San Fernando Valley remained sparsely populated until 1915 when the Los Angeles Aqueduct brought water into the region. The Valley received another population boom when Americans flooded into California in the 1940s to support the military effort for World War II.

Developer Fritz Burns created Panorama City from lands of the former Panorama Ranch in 1947. Known as the first planned community on the West Coast, the neighborhood attracted many World War II veterans.

As freeway construction in the 1950's and 60's brought development further west in the San Fernando Valley, many residents followed the freeways with the opportunity to purchase larger homes. In the ensuing years, more Latino residents moved into Panorama City.

While Panorama City goes without a major arts scene or annual events, the San Fernando Valley Historical Society sits just north in Mission Hills chronicling the area's history at the site of former Governor Andres Pico's adobe.

Panorama City doesn't yield high end restaurants or nightlife, but contains establishments reflecting the diversity of the community.

Ras Noodle serves excellent Thai food at low prices, with noodles costing under $7.50. Expect spicy portions and full-flavored soups.

Doctor Hogly Wogly’s Tyler Texas BBQ has a reputation across the San Fernando Valley for having outstanding barbecue, especially for the brisket and ribs. Sample the best when you choose a two-meat combination meal with two sides, and make sure to take home a bottle of the joint's famous BBQ sauce.

With limited options, most residents venture out of Panorama City for nightlife activity. La Sierra Nightclub functions as the neighborhood's hot spot, providing live music and dancing with a Latin flair. Come before 10 p.m. to beat long lines and available parking.

The Scene Sports Bar, just east of Panorama City on Saticoy Street, attracts many locals for sports events and cheap drinks. Come Wednesday nights for the free stand-up comedy, or drop in for happy hour.

Driving plays an important role in Panorama City due to its suburban layout. With large amounts of mall parking and streets spaced far apart, most residents prefer vehicular transportation over walking.

LA Metro buses supply the primary public transportation in the area. Sepulveda and Van Nuys Boulevards both contain a Rapid Line giving fast access to the Orange Line, the quickest east-west bus line through the San Fernando Valley. Also along Van Nuys Boulevard lies the area's Metrolink station, providing commuter train access to downtown Los Angeles.

Taxis do not frequent the area, though you might find at cab at the local Kaiser Permanente hospital. Lyft, Uber and other ride-sharing companies service Panorama City.

Panorama City contains some bike lanes along major streets, but most cyclists must compete with high-speed traffic to travel long distances.

Panorama City contains very little park space for a population of over 60,000 residents. The Sepulveda Recreation Center serves as the primary open space for public use. This park provides indoor basketball courts, baseball diamonds, a children's play area and a seasonal pool.

For the athletically inclined, Lake Balboa Park attracts many patrons as the largest recreation area in the San Fernando Valley. Located 5 miles southwest of Panorama City, people enjoy such facilities as a skate park, velodrome, kayaking, jogging course and three golf courses. Families come to see the remote-controlled airplanes or Japanese Garden. The park also contains a dedicated dog park.

No major events are held in Panorama City, but the Annual San Fernando Valley Veteran's Day Parade in Mission Hills brings in many nearby residents.

Panorama City offers a range of homes that truly embody the essence of LA living. For those considering a one-bedroom apartment, expect to pay around $1,836 per month. Alternatively, if a house aligns better with your style, the average house for rent costs around $3,200 per month. For those envisioning a more permanent stay, the average house price typically hovers around $655,000.

Panorama City attracts residents to its malls from across the San Fernando Valley because shoppers know they can find good values here. The Panorama Mall contains discount department stores Curacao and Walmart, along with a number of other national chains. The Plant Shopping Mall includes major stores such as Ross, Living Spaces and Home Depot.

Plaza Del Valle, paralleling Van Nuys Boulevard, features many small business along an outdoor pedestrian plaza with live entertainment throughout the year.

On of the largest of its kind in the San Fernando Valley, Michael's Furniture Warehouse provides excellent value in home furnishings. A family-owned business since 1961, Michael's includes items for every room in the house and pays your sales tax for you. The Valley Indoor Swap Meet contains over 100 booths featuring independent vendors specializing in clothes, jewelry, and shoes all at a good value.

Walmart and Vallarta both have two supermarkets in Panorama City, with Food 4 Less serving as another option. The smaller Seafood City attracts many locals looking for fresh fish and Asian food staples. The Kaiser Permanente Hospital hosts a farmers market every Wednesday morning.