Craving a neighborhood where your Sunday can run from farmers market to sushi to a sunset hike, all without getting on the 101? If you’re weighing Studio City against other LA spots, Ventura Boulevard might be the lifestyle anchor you want. You get a true village feel, day-to-night energy, and housing options that fit different stages of life. In this guide, you’ll learn what living along Ventura looks like, where the most walkable pockets sit, what homes and rents cost right now, and how to decide if it fits your daily routine. Let’s dive in.
Why Ventura Blvd stands out
Ventura Boulevard is Studio City’s social spine. It is a walkable strip of cafés, restaurants, boutiques, scoop shops, and small venues arranged in lively clusters. The street hums most afternoons and evenings, then shifts to a laid-back coffee-and-errands vibe in the morning. If you want daily life within a short walk, focus your search along the core Ventura corridor.
Sushi Row and dinner plans
Ventura is famous for its dense run of sushi spots, often called “Sushi Row.” You will find everything from casual rolls to intimate omakase counters that fill up most nights. For a sense of the scene and geography, scan this overview of notable stops along the corridor in The Infatuation’s guide to Sushi Row.
Sweet stops and dessert walks
Artisanal ice cream and gelato are part of the local ritual here. Specialty shops like Salt & Straw’s Studio City location draw steady evening foot traffic. It is a simple pleasure with big neighborhood energy, especially after dinner on Ventura.
Tujunga Village vibe
One block north of Ventura, Tujunga Village offers a quieter feel with cafés, boutiques, and a small black-box theater. It is compact and walkable, which makes it popular with people who like errands and coffee on foot. Homes nearby include cottages, small apartments, and townhomes.
Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge draw
At the Coldwater and Ventura intersection, the Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge function like a modern village center. You get eateries, fitness, national lifestyle brands, and grocer-style anchors in one place. To see the current dining lineup, check the Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge site.
Sunday farmers market ritual
The long-running Studio City Farmers Market on Ventura Place (Sundays) is a neighborhood staple. Families and friends make a morning of it, then roll into brunch or a coffee stroll. If you are mapping out your weekend routine, this event belongs on the list. Get the basics on the Studio City Chamber’s visitors page.
Nightlife and small venues
Expect creative cocktails, low-key lounges, and family-friendly fun like bowling. Examples noted by local guides include Black Market Liquor Bar and Pinz Bowling (check current status). For highlights across the area, see these hidden gems in Studio City.
Where you might live
Housing near Ventura spans cozy bungalows, mid-century ranches, hillside estates, and low-rise condos. Your best fit depends on how much you value walkability, yard size, privacy, and price.
South of Ventura flats
In the flat blocks south of Ventura, areas like Colfax Meadows and the streets near Woodbridge Park offer tree-lined appeal. You will see bungalows, ranch houses, and many mid-century remodels. These pockets are popular for proximity to shops and schools.
Tujunga Village pocket living
North of Ventura, the Tujunga Avenue corridor blends a compact row of cafés and boutiques with nearby cottages, small apartments, and townhomes. It suits buyers who want most daily needs on foot. Expect smaller yards and more street activity than hillside areas.
Hillside and Fryman Estates
Tucked into the Santa Monica Mountains north of Ventura, Fryman Estates and nearby hillside streets feature larger single-family homes and more privacy. Many lots feel sheltered, with access to the Wilacre and Fryman Canyon trail system. Learn about the area’s popular Betty B. Dearing Trail at Fryman Canyon Park.
Condos and townhomes near Ventura
You will also find mixed-use and courtyard-style condominiums along and near Ventura. These low- and mid-rise buildings attract downsizers and anyone who prefers low maintenance with an easy walk to dining and errands. Yards are minimal, but convenience is the tradeoff.
Prices and rents today
Pricing varies by source and by what has sold recently. Redfin reports a recent Studio City median sale price near 2.08 million dollars as of early 2026. That figure reflects the mix of homes that closed in the last few months. Older 2-bedroom bungalows near the flats often list under that number, while remodeled hillside estates usually sell well above it.
For rentals, averages also depend on methodology. RentCafe’s early 2026 data for Studio City shows an average apartment rent around 2,697 dollars. Zumper’s median, which tracks active listings, was higher at about 3,095 dollars in February 2026. Use these as guides, then compare by size and location when you tour.
Getting around easily
Walkability on Ventura
Central stretches of Ventura rank among the most walkable parts of the Valley. Block-level pages show very high walk scores right on the commercial corridor. Check the Walk Score for the Ventura corridor in Studio City or sample a specific intersection like 11201 Ventura Blvd to see how scores change block by block.
Metro and 101 access
For transit, the Metro B Line serves the Universal City/Studio City station just southeast of the Boulevard. It is useful for trips to Hollywood or Downtown, and there is a park-and-ride plus bus connections. Read an overview of the station on the Universal City/Studio City page. Drivers get immediate 101 access, but traffic varies by time of day.
Parks, schools, groceries
Trails and green space
If weekend hikes are your reset, Wilacre Park and Fryman Canyon sit minutes from Ventura. The trail network, including the Betty B. Dearing Trail, offers shaded climbs and city outlooks without a long drive. Start with the Fryman Canyon Park overview for trailheads and basics.
Schools and boundaries
Studio City is served by LAUSD schools and local charters. Carpenter Community Charter (Carpenter Avenue Elementary) is the primary neighborhood elementary often noted by local sources. Always verify enrollment and boundaries directly with the school or LAUSD; begin with the Carpenter Community Charter site.
Groceries and daily errands
Grocer access is strong along Ventura, with both national and specialty options. The Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge added anchors that make mid-week errands easy. Many pockets south and north of the Boulevard let you pair a grocery run with coffee or a quick bite on foot.
Who loves it here
Young professionals
If you want coffee, gym, dinner, and dessert within a short walk, focus near the central Ventura blocks and Tujunga Village. The tradeoff is more street activity and smaller outdoor space in some condo pockets. If quiet is key, try streets a few blocks off Ventura.
What to watch for:
- Traffic and parking at dinner hour and on Sundays.
- Noise for units facing Ventura.
- Building rules for pets, packages, and guest parking.
- Compare flatland convenience with hillside privacy.
Creatives and industry workers
Proximity to the studio ecosystem is a big plus here. The CBS Studio Center area anchors many industry-adjacent coffee spots and casual meeting places. For show tapings and logistics, see the studio’s official map info.
What to watch for:
- Premium pricing near studio-adjacent pockets.
- Evening activity levels around popular clusters.
- Commute patterns if you split time between Valley and Westside.
- Street parking during peak dining hours.
Downsizers and empty-nesters
Single-level condos and courtyard townhomes near Ventura offer a low-maintenance base with groceries, health services, and the farmers market close by. Social energy stays high without a yard to maintain. The Studio City Chamber page is a good primer on community rhythms.
What to watch for:
- Elevator access and in-building amenities.
- Noise transfer in mixed-use buildings.
- Proximity to medical offices and daily services.
- HOA budgets and upcoming maintenance plans.
Compare nearby choices
Studio City vs. Sherman Oaks
Both line Ventura with strong retail. Studio City often feels more walkable in compact blocks, with the CBS lot nearby and a distinct village pocket in Tujunga Village. Sherman Oaks trends toward larger retail nodes and a different housing mix. Tour both at weekday lunch and a Sunday evening to compare parking, vibe, and noise.
Studio City vs. Toluca Lake and Burbank
If your life centers around specific studios or the airport, Toluca Lake or Burbank may shorten trips. Studio City trades a bit of that proximity for the Boulevard’s lively day-to-night scene. If commute time matters, run a few sample drives before you choose.
How to tour like a local
Use this checklist to pressure-test daily life before you buy or lease:
- Visit Ventura morning, lunch, and evening on a weekday, plus Sunday during the farmers market.
- Walk the exact block you are considering to compare foot traffic and noise.
- Test street and structure parking near your favorite dinner spots.
- Verify schools and enrollment on the Carpenter Community Charter site.
- Hike Wilacre or Fryman after a Boulevard brunch to feel the weekend flow.
- If a specific restaurant or retailer matters, confirm hours and current status. Menus and tenants change.
Ready to see how Ventura Boulevard living fits your life? Reach out to Danny Hizami to plan a focused tour, compare housing types, and start your home search with hands-on guidance.
FAQs
What is Ventura Boulevard like day to night?
- It is a true social spine with coffee and errands in the morning, busy dining and dessert foot traffic in the evening, and a popular Sunday farmers market on Ventura Place supported by the Studio City Chamber’s visitors page.
How walkable is Studio City near Ventura Blvd?
- Central Ventura blocks score high for walkability, with more car use for longer trips. Check block-level metrics using Walk Score’s Ventura corridor page.
What are typical home prices in Studio City in 2026?
- Redfin reports a recent median sale price near 2.08 million dollars as of early 2026. Prices vary by housing type and location, with hillside estates above that mark and older flats-area bungalows often below.
What are average rents in Studio City in 2026?
- RentCafe’s early 2026 average for Studio City is about 2,697 dollars, while Zumper’s February 2026 median was roughly 3,095 dollars. Compare by size and block.
Which hikes are close to Ventura Blvd?
- Wilacre Park and Fryman Canyon offer popular, nearby trail options with the Betty B. Dearing Trail a local favorite. Start with Fryman Canyon Park for trailhead info.
Which elementary school serves southern Studio City?
- Carpenter Community Charter is commonly noted for the area. Always confirm current boundaries and enrollment with the Carpenter Community Charter site or LAUSD before you decide.
