Van Nuys
Van Nuys | |
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747, 818 |
Van Nuys (/vænˈnaɪz/) is a neighborhood in the central San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Home to Van Nuys Airport and the Valley Municipal Building, it is the most populous neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley.
History
In 1909, the Suburban Homes Company – a syndicate led by
The town was founded in 1911 and named for one of its developers, Isaac Newton Van Nuys, a rancher and entrepreneur of Dutch ancestry.[4][5] It was annexed by Los Angeles on May 22, 1915,[6] after completion of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, providing it with the water required for further growth.[7] Van Nuys was the first new stop on the San Fernando Line of the Pacific Electric Railway red cars system, which boosted its early land sales and commercial success.[5] From as far as Alhambra, in 1917, day trips were organized for potential buyers of five-acre farms.[8]
Van Nuys became the Valley's satellite Los Angeles municipal civic center with the 1932
In 1991, Marvin Braude, a member of the Los Angeles City Council, redesignated a 45-block area of Van Nuys as a part of Sherman Oaks.[9] This redesignated area included the community of Magnolia Woods.[10] Some area residents had presented a petition and several original deeds that stated "Sherman Oaks" to Braude. They argued that the area was a part of Sherman Oaks until the 1960s, when ZIP Codes labeling the area as Van Nuys were established.[9]

In October 2005, the Metro Orange Line opened with two stations, Van Nuys station (Los Angeles Metro) and Sepulveda station.
In 2014, a "Great Streets" project was introduced by Mayor Eric Garcetti with Van Nuys Blvd. to be redesigned between Victory Blvd. and Oxnard Street. Also, Sepulveda Blvd. was resurfaced between Victory Blvd and Oxnard Street in May 2014. A new Los Angeles County family services building was built on the southwest corner of Van Nuys Blvd. and Saticoy Street in 2016.[citation needed]
Geography and climate
Van Nuys is bordered on the north by
Boundary changes
Some former Van Nuys neighborhoods won approval in 2009 by the Los Angeles City Council to break off from Van Nuys and join the neighboring communities of
Climate
Climate data for Van Nuys Airport (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1949–1950, 1961–1962, 1998–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 92 (33) |
92 (33) |
97 (36) |
101 (38) |
105 (41) |
114 (46) |
117 (47) |
112 (44) |
118 (48) |
107 (42) |
96 (36) |
89 (32) |
118 (48) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 81.7 (27.6) |
82.3 (27.9) |
86.7 (30.4) |
92.7 (33.7) |
95.3 (35.2) |
99.5 (37.5) |
103.3 (39.6) |
104.7 (40.4) |
105.3 (40.7) |
97.9 (36.6) |
89.3 (31.8) |
82.1 (27.8) |
108.0 (42.2) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 68.2 (20.1) |
68.4 (20.2) |
72.1 (22.3) |
75.3 (24.1) |
78.9 (26.1) |
84.2 (29.0) |
91.2 (32.9) |
93.1 (33.9) |
90.4 (32.4) |
82.9 (28.3) |
75.0 (23.9) |
67.4 (19.7) |
78.9 (26.1) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 57.2 (14.0) |
57.4 (14.1) |
60.6 (15.9) |
63.4 (17.4) |
67.5 (19.7) |
72.0 (22.2) |
77.8 (25.4) |
79.0 (26.1) |
76.6 (24.8) |
69.8 (21.0) |
62.2 (16.8) |
56.1 (13.4) |
66.6 (19.2) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 46.1 (7.8) |
46.4 (8.0) |
49.2 (9.6) |
51.5 (10.8) |
56.1 (13.4) |
59.8 (15.4) |
64.3 (17.9) |
64.9 (18.3) |
62.7 (17.1) |
56.6 (13.7) |
49.3 (9.6) |
44.9 (7.2) |
54.3 (12.4) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | 35.7 (2.1) |
37.0 (2.8) |
40.2 (4.6) |
42.9 (6.1) |
49.2 (9.6) |
54.5 (12.5) |
58.7 (14.8) |
59.3 (15.2) |
55.1 (12.8) |
49.3 (9.6) |
40.0 (4.4) |
34.6 (1.4) |
33.1 (0.6) |
Record low °F (°C) | 22 (−6) |
27 (−3) |
32 (0) |
36 (2) |
38 (3) |
46 (8) |
50 (10) |
47 (8) |
45 (7) |
35 (2) |
31 (−1) |
28 (−2) |
22 (−6) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.75 (70) |
3.79 (96) |
2.50 (64) |
0.71 (18) |
0.29 (7.4) |
0.07 (1.8) |
0.00 (0.00) |
0.01 (0.25) |
0.12 (3.0) |
0.48 (12) |
0.75 (19) |
1.95 (50) |
13.42 (341) |
Average precipitation days | 5.1 | 6.4 | 5.3 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 5.6 | 33.9 |
Source: NOAA[15][16] |
Population
The 2000 U.S. census counted 136,443 residents in the 8.99-square-mile Van Nuys neighborhood—or 11,542 people per square mile. In 2000, the median age for residents was 28, considered young for city and county neighborhoods, and the percentages of residents aged 10 or younger and 19 to 34 were among the highest in Los Angeles County.[12]
The neighborhood was considered "moderately diverse" ethnically within Los Angeles. The breakdown was
The median yearly household income in 2008 dollars was $41,134, considered average for the city, but low for the county. The percentages of households that earned $40,000 or less were high for the county. Renters occupied 73.9% of the housing stock, and house- or apartment-owners held 26.1%.[12][citation needed]
Economy

Van Nuys Boulevard has a long and diverse commercial district along it, as do other major streets crossing through Van Nuys.
From December 1947 until August 1992,
In 1999, The Plant shopping center opened on the former factory site, anchored by big box retailers and a 16-screen movie theater multiplex.[18] Through the following years there were additions to The Plant shopping center.
Sound City Studios is a well-respected recording studio in Van Nuys. Van Nuys, along with Chatsworth, is home to numerous pornographic film studios, distributors, and manufacturers.[19]
Various parts of the 1984 film The Terminator were filmed in Van Nuys.[21]
Government services

The Los Angeles Fire Department operates Station 39 (Van Nuys), Station 90 Van Nuys Airport Area, Station 100 West Van Nuys, and Station 102 East Van Nuys, serving the community.
The Los Angeles Police Department operates the nearby Van Nuys Community Police Station at 6420 Sylmar Avenue, 91401, serving the neighborhood.
The United States Postal Service operates the Civic Center Van Nuys Post Office at 6200 Van Nuys Boulevard in Van Nuys (closed and moved outside the Van Nuys civic center to 6531 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401)[22] and the Van Nuys Post Office at 15701 Sherman Way in the Lake Balboa neighborhood in Los Angeles, west of Van Nuys.[23][24][25]
The
The California Department of Developmental Services operates the North Los Angeles County Regional Center on Sherman Way west of Sepulveda Boulevard, but they closed that location and moved to a new location on Oakhurst and Plummer in Chatsworth in 2016. The agency serves a large population of developmentally disabled people living in the San Fernando Valley.
The Social Security Administration once operated a branch office on Van Nuys Boulevard north of Victory Boulevard in Van Nuys. This location was closed in 2011, and moved to Panorama City on Roscoe Blvd and Van Nuys Blvd.
Parks
The Van Nuys Recreation Area is in Van Nuys. The area has an auditorium and gymnasium with a capacity of 420 people, and a multipurpose/community room with a capacity of 20–25 people. The area has barbecue pits, lighted baseball diamonds, lighted outdoor basketball courts, a children's play area, a community room, lighted handball courts, an indoor gymnasium with no weights, picnic tables, a lighted soccer field, and lighted tennis courts.[27]
Delano Park in Van Nuys has an auditorium, barbecue pits, a lighted baseball diamond, a children's play area, a lighted football field, an indoor gymnasium with no weights, picnic tables, and a lighted soccer field.[28]

The Van Nuys adjacent Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area to the west is a large open space park behind
The Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park is in Sherman Oaks, near Van Nuys. The park has an auditorium, two lighted baseball diamonds, six unlighted baseball diamonds, lighted indoor basketball courts, lighted outdoor basketball courts, a children's play area, a 60-person community room, a lighted football field, an indoor gymnasium without weights, picnic tables, a lighted soccer field, and lighted tennis courts.[31] Located in the same place as the park, the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Pool is a seasonal outdoor heated swimming pool.[32] The Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Senior Citizen Center (a.k.a. Bernardi Center), also on the park grounds, has an auditorium and multi-purpose room. The senior community hall also has two community/meeting rooms, two kitchens, a play area, a shuffle board area, a stage, and two storage rooms.[33] The Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Tennis Courts facility in the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park has eight courts.[34]
Education
Fifteen percent of Van Nuys residents aged 25 and older had earned a
Schools within the Van Nuys boundaries are:[36]
Public
The Los Angeles Unified School District operates neighborhood public schools:
- Kittridge Street Elementary School, 13619 Kittridge Street
- Van Nuys Senior High School, 6535 Cedros Avenue
- Cohasset Street Elementary School, 15810 Saticoy Street
- Robert Fulton College Preparatory School, 7477 Kester Avenue
- Valerio Street Elementary School, 15035 Valerio Street
- Hazeltine Avenue Elementary School, 7150 Hazeltine Avenue
- Columbus Avenue Elementary School, 6700 Columbus Avenue
- Van Nuys Elementary School, 6464 Sylmar Avenue
- Will Rogers Continuation School, 14711 Gilmore Street
- Sylvan Park Elementary School, 6238 Noble Avenue
- Van Nuys Adult School, 6535 Cedros Avenue[37]
- NVOC- Aviation Center, 16550 Saticoy Street[38]
Charter schools include:
- Charter High School of Arts — Multimedia and Performing, 6952 Van Nuys Boulevard
Van Nuys Middle School was moved into Sherman Oaks in 1991. The school continues to use the name "Van Nuys" despite the move.[9]
Private
- Pacific Ridge School, 15339 Saticoy Street
- Crossroads School, 6843 Lennox Avenue
- St. Elisabeth School, elementary, 6635 Tobias Avenue
- Grace Christian Academy, 6510 Peach Avenue
- The Crawford Academy, 14530 Sylvan Street
- Children's Community School, 14702 Sylvan Street
- Montclair College Prep, 8071 Sepulveda Boulevard, has closed.[39]
- Lycée International de Los Angeles previously operated a campus in Van Nuys.[40]
Public libraries
The Van Nuys Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library serves the community.
Transportation
Air
Van Nuys Airport is located in Van Nuys.
The closest airport with commercial airline service is Hollywood Burbank Airport in Burbank. It can be accessed via Amtrak and Metrolink service, or by Amtrak Thruway 1C daily bus connections, from Van Nuys station.[41]
The FlyAway bus service travels hourly from its terminal at Woodley and Saticoy Avenues to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).[42]
Public transit
Van Nuys has two
Van Nuys also has
Van Nuys Boulevard is the planned route for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project, scheduled to open by 2031.
Freeways
Van Nuys is served by the 405 (San Diego Freeway) passing through it.
Other nearby freeways include the
Healthcare
Valley Presbyterian Hospital is a 350-bed hospital at 15107 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, CA 91405. It was founded in 1958 and initially designed by noted architect William Pereira. It has 350 beds, as well as an emergency room which can handle pediatric patients.[43] Also in Van Nuys is the Southern California Hospital, at 14433 Emelita St, which is a psychiatric facility that provides no emergency services.[44] The nearest Kaiser Permanente hospital to Van Nuys is Kaiser Panorama City Medical Center.
Notable people
- George O. Abell (1927–1983), astronomer, professor[45]
- Ernani Bernardi (1911–2006), musician and member of the Los Angeles City Council, 1961–1993[46][47]
- Brandon Boyd, vocalist of the multi-platinum rock band Incubus
- Bishop Joseph V. Brennan, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles
- Brian Patrick Butler, actor and filmmaker[48]
- Steve Daines, U.S. senator from Montana
- Rose Marie, actress and comedian
- Andy Devine, actor, honorary mayor from 1938 to 1957[49]
- Don Drysdale, Hall of Fame baseball player[50]
- Kerry Lyn Dalton, murderer
- Michael Erush (born 1984), soccer player and coach
- Mike Fetters, baseball pitcher and coach
- Laurence D. Fink, financier[51]
- Brian Austin Green, actor[52]
- Robert Harland, actor[53]
- Chris Holdsworth, UFC fighter[54]
- Michael Hunter, Professional boxer
- Michael Landau, musician[55]
- Jon Locke, western television actor[56]
- Gary Lockwood, actor
- Diane Warren, songwriter
- Delamere Francis McCloskey, Los Angeles City Council member, 1941–43[57]
- Matthew Mercer, voice actor
- Ken Michelman, actor
- Kevin Mitnick, convicted hacker
- Matt Moore, professional football player[58]
- Neal Morse, musician
- Tony Muser, Major League Baseball player and manager
- Chris O'Loughlin (born 1967), Olympic fencer[59]
- Johnny Parsons, Indy 500 Qualifier
- Chris Pinnick, musician
- Thano Rama, actor[60]
- Sherri Rasmussen, murder victim
- Robert Redford, actor, director, producer[61]
- Jake Richardson, actor
- Shorty Rogers, jazz musician and arranger
- Jane Russell, actress[62]
- Herbert Ryman, artist and Disney imagineer
- Nikki Sixx, musician
- Brody King, professional wrestler and musician
- Camryn Grimes, actress
- Bob Walk, baseball player and broadcaster
- Bob Waterfield, professional football player[63]
- Brooke White, singer, American Idol Season 7 finalist[64]
- Hobart Johnstone Whitley, real-estate developer
- Cindy Williams, actress
- Natalie Wood, actress[65]
- Todd Zeile, professional baseball player[66]
Notable places
- Van Nuys Boulevard
- Van Nuys City Hall
- Galpin Auto Sports – Pimp My Ride (seasons 5 and 6)[67]
- Busch Gardens theme park (1964–1979), demolished
- Sound City Studios
-
Van Nuys Post Office
-
Erwin Street Pedestrian Mall in Government Center
-
Government Center, Van Nuys Boulevard and Erwin Street
-
Marvin Braude San Fernando Valley Constituent Service Center, at Government Center
-
Van Nuys State Office Building at Government Center
-
Los Angeles Superior Court, Van Nuys Division, at Government Center
-
New Van Nuys Branch, Los Angeles Public Library, Sylmar Avenue Mall
-
Van Nuys Community Police Station, 6240 Sylmar Avenue Mall
-
Van Nuys Civic Child Development Center
-
Van Nuys Boulevard and Delano St.
See also
References
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- ^ Pollack, Gina (July 22, 2019). "How To Speak LA: Your Guide To The City's Most Debated And Mispronounced Words". LAist. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c "San Fernando Valley History Timeline". Archived from the original on October 12, 2001.
- ISBN 1135948593. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
- ^ Hescheles, Andrea (October 30, 2010). "1915-1916: Annexation spurred growth". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015.
- ^ 1917 advertisement in "Alhambra Advocate"
- ^ a b c Stewart, Jocelyn Y. (August 23, 1991). "Identity Crisis : Community: The decision to change the name of a 45-block area of Van Nuys to Sherman Oaks leaves junior high in an odd position". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
- ^ Sarkisian-Miller, Nora (May 7, 2006). "A hideaway in Sherman Oaks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
- ^ Colored map, Mapping L.A., Los Angeles Times
- ^ a b c d e "Van Nuys," Mapping L.A., Los Angeles Times
- ^ Stewart, Jocelyn. "45-Block Area Exits Van Nuys : Neighborhoods: Area around junior high school joins Sherman Oaks, the fifth such change in the Valley since 1986". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
- ^ Reston, Maeve (July 14, 2009). "Goodbye Van Nuys, hello Sherman Oaks: L.A. Council OKs neighborhood switch". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ a b Apodaca, Patrice (August 28, 1992). "L.A. MAKES ITS LAST CAR : End of Road for GM's Van Nuys Plant : Autos: After 45 years and 6.3 million vehicles, the facility is shut down. It marks the end of car making in Southern California". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ Fox, Sue (November 27, 1999). "Rebirth for Old Car Factory Site". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ BARRETT, BETH (June 4, 2007). "Porn is a $12 billion industry, but profits leave the Valley". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ^ "National and international flights in Avianca Airlines for USA - Avianca". Taca.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
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- ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
- ^ "Post Office Location—CIVIC CENTER VAN NUYS." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
- ^ "Post Office Location—VAN NUYS." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
- ^ Map Archived 2012-02-18 at the Wayback Machine. Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
- U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on January 17, 2010.
- ^ "Van Nuys Recreation Area Archived 2010-02-23 at the Wayback Machine." City of Los Angeles. Retrieved on March 19, 2010.
- ^ "Delano Park." City of Los Angeles. Retrieved on March 19, 2010.
- ^ "Parks". Lamountains.com. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
- ^ "City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks". September 24, 2015.
- ^ "Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park." City of Los Angeles. Retrieved on March 19, 2010.
- ^ "Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Pool." City of Los Angeles. Retrieved on March 19, 2010.
- ^ "Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Senior Citizen Center." City of Los Angeles. Retrieved on March 19, 2010.
- ^ "Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Tennis Courts." City of Los Angeles. Retrieved on March 19, 2010.
- ^ "Less Than High School | Mapping L.A." Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Van Nuys: Schools," Mapping L.A., Los Angeles Times
- ^ "West Valley Occupational Center Home". Wvoc.net.
- ^ "NVOC: Today's Job Skills Made Easy & Affordable". Wvoc.net.
- ^ "Montclair". Montclairprep.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- ^ Lingre, Michele. "Early Linguists : Private Foreign-Language Schools Give Bilingual Education a New Twist." Los Angeles Times. April 28, 1988. p. 2. Retrieved on June 29, 2015. "Le Lycee International de Los Angeles, or French-American School, 14255 Erwin Street, Van Nuys"
- ^ a b "Route 1c". Amtrak San Joaquins. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ "FlyAway-Van Nuys." Los Angeles World Airports. Retrieved on November 20, 2012.
- ^ "About Us". Valley Presbyterian Hospital Van Nuys. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ^ "About Us". Southern California Hospital at Van Nuys. Prospect Medical Group. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ^ Weart, Spencer (December 8, 2014). "Oral Histories, George Abell". American Institute of Physics. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
- ^ "Bernardi's Iconoclasm Brings Acclaim, Enmity". Los Angeles Times. April 3, 1989. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ Rick Orlov, "Valley's Ardent Fighter, 94, Dies," Los Angeles Daily News, posted January 7, 2006, at Political-Graveyard
- ^ "Meet Brian Patrick Butler of Charybdis Pictures in Van Nuys". Voyage LA (Interview). August 6, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ Los Angeles Times, May 10, 1938, Andy Devine Named 'Mayor'
- ^ "Don Drysdale Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
- ^ Suzanna Andrews: Larry Fink’s $12 Trillion Shadow, Vanity Fair, April 2010
- ^ "Brian Austin Green Biography (1973-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
- ^ "A Small World: Robert J. Yurgatis, Jr". Germantown Forum, Germantown, Pennsylvania. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Holdsworth – Official UFC® Fighter Profile". UFC. September 14, 2018.
- ^ "Michael Landau". Vintage Guitar magazine.
- ^ "Passings: Noel Harrison, Jon Locke, Jamalul Kiram III". Los Angeles Times. October 22, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
- ^ "Preview unavailable - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ "Matt Moore". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
- ^ Vittorio Tafur (July 26, 1990). "Acting Career Foiled by Love of Swordplay: Fencing: Van Nuys native cuts wide swath in U.S. circles with an epee, but international success proves elusive," Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Van Nuys Youth Has Video Role". The Van Nuys News. September 25, 1960. p. 8-B. "Thano Rama, 15½-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Rama of 14105 Lemay St., Van Nuys, will appear tonight at 10 o'clock in the part of Eddie during the Loretta Young television show on KRCA (Channel 4). Rama is a sophomore at Van Nuys High School and has appeared in numerous roles both on television and in films."
- ^ Stated on Inside the Actors Studio, 2005
- ^ "Jane Russell, movie sex symbol was 89". LA Observed.
- ^ Los Angeles Times – Rams Quarterback a Man of Few Words – 1997-06-18, accessed 2011-12-31
- ^ "'American Idol' eliminates Brooke White, determines Top 4 finalists". Reality TV world. May 1, 2008.
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- ^ "Todd Zeile Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
- ^ "'Pimp My Ride' gets Ford tough". USA Today. June 13, 2006.
External links
- Van Nuys Profile - Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times
- "Lacity.org: Van Nuys Neighborhood Council Map". Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2009.
- Getty.edu: Van Nuys (neighborhood)
- Busch Gardens Van Nuys Historical Marker