Sun Valley, CA

Sun Valley had humble beginnings in 1874 when Charles Maclay acquired 56,000 acres of land that became the Sun Valley neighborhood. The Southern Pacific Railroad was created in 1876, linking Northern and Southern California, and the population began to grow. The area soon developed into an up-and-coming residential landscape and bustling business district.

The Sun Valley neighborhood hosts a variety of festivals and events all year round. Head to the nearby monthly Hear NoHo Music Festival on the first Thursday of every month to enjoy some music from local artists.

Engage your senses at L’imagerie Gallery, which houses a large collection of modern and historic artwork. The gallery also has a collection of mixed media, which are available for purchase.

The Sun Valley area serves up a mix of world cuisine spiced with local L.A. flavor. Visit Rocio's Mole de los Dioses, and finish your meal with an icy strawberry margarita made with agave tequila for $10. Make your own mole plate by choosing from a protein, such as portobello mushrooms or chicken breast, and a wide selection of moles, including mole verde spiced with fresh Serrano peppers, green tomatoes and aromatic herbs. Ring first, as the restaurant does sometimes close for staff vacations and refurbishments.

If you're in the mood for sushi, be sure to check out Chiba Restaurant. Whether you're a seasoned sushi connoisseur or just looking for some good food, Chiba satisfies the pallet. Try the spicy tuna roll, shrimp tempura, or lobster and king crab roll. Savor the fresh flavors of the sea when you bite into the famous crunchy shrimp hand roll that features a shrimp mix wrapped in crunchy cucumber.

Drop in to Coffee Land for a steaming hot latte and a fresh croissant. Sit back and relax in the calm and inviting atmosphere while you catch up with friends over a good cup of coffee. Order the beef and turkey sandwich topped with fresh veggies, or indulge in the Nutella-drenched waffle to satisfy your sweet tooth. Coffee Land combines fresh ingredients with fast and reliable service.

Sun Valley houses a vibrant nightlife scene and unique art scene as well. Check out the wide range of live music at the area's music festival, and on the weekend, head out to The Scene dive bar for a night out, some drinks and a good time. Try your hand at darts, or dial up your favorite tune on the jukebox as you sip a long island iced tea. Catch up with your friends, and grab a pitcher of beer for $11.

Sun Valley sits to the northwest of the center of L.A along Highway 210 and Highway 5. It should only take around 35 minutes to drive from Sun Valley to the center of L.A. by car. The neighborhood provides both on-street parking as well as public parking spaces in the area. Numerous public bus routes service the Sun Valley neighborhood and connect to the greater L.A. area. It takes commuters around 1 hour and 10 minutes from Sun Valley to the center of L.A. via bus route 794.

Sun Valley has a high walkability score, making it bike friendly, and featuring numerous bike and walking paths around the neighborhood.

Hailing a cab in the Sun Valley area should be easy as there are many taxi companies that have regular drivers in the area. You can also call up Uber for a rideshare or a taxi, which provides regular service to the area.

Sun Valley provides residents with a few parks, but an abundance of recreational activities to get out and enjoy the sunny L.A. weather.

Check out Sun Valley Park for some exercise and fun in the sun. It offers facilities such as a basketball court, baseball diamond, tennis courts, jogging paths and a multipurpose kitchen. Grab the kids, and go swimming in the pool, or kick back at one of the BBQ pits. Take your pups out for some fresh air at the nearby Whitnall off-leash dog park.

Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Sun Valley should cost you around $995 to $1150 around Runnymede Street and Glenoaks Gardens.

A trip on the metro bus costs $1.75 and 50 cents to transfer to a non-metro bus. Gas prices hover around 10 percent higher than the national average. You can get a pint of beer at a local bar such as The Scene for around $5 to $7. Overall living costs in the Sun Valley area average out to be similar to that of the greater L.A. area.

Shopping in the Sun Valley area provides access to the regular fare, such as a Kohl’s Department Store and more unique stores, such as the Super Thrift Store for some bargain shopping. Head to Zie Boutique for all of your fashion needs. Whether you’re looking for a chic party dress for a night on the town, or a unique vintage scarf, the friendly associates help you find what you’re looking for.

Locals enjoy grocery shopping with a wide variety of stores to choose from, such as Food 4 Less, Ralphs, Pacific Coast Food and Vallarta Supermarket. These options provide a variety of cultural fare and your everyday necessities.

The Sun Valley area puts on numerous Farmer’s markets, such as Two Peas Inc, Food Forward and Sunland Produce that stock fresh produce and local products. Sunland offers up a wide range of produce and also has a large ethnic food section with Middle Eastern, Mexican and Asian products.