The suburbs in
Los Angeles deserve more recognition, especially Sherman Oaks. The neighborhood maintains a nice balance between an urban district and a suburban area, allowing its residents to have all the excitement and conveniences of the big city, all while living in relative peace. It's easy enough to raise a family here and send your kids to good schools, all while working in central LA and beyond. You can't get any more of the best of both worlds than that! So the fact that Sherman Oaks tends to be among the lesser-known neighborhoods in Los Angeles remains baffling.
Where is Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles?
While Sherman Oaks is a suburb, its location is still pretty central. The area lies at the heart of the San Fernando Valley, right at the convergence of the 101 and 405 freeways. Though it's near the Santa Monica Mountains, Sherman Oaks is still bordered by many other
LA neighborhoods. There's Encino to its east, Studio City to its west, and North Hollywood to its north. So even though it's a suburb, its central location still places Sherman Oaks in the middle of the big city. It's no wonder many people want to settle down here, too.
Is it Safe in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles?
Yes, it is. Don't forget that Sherman Oaks is mostly an LA suburb, which means the place is much more peaceful compared to the rest of the city. The neighborhood even has low
crime rates in Los Angeles, similar to the city's more affluent areas that are also among the safest parts of town. For a clearer picture of just how safe Sherman Oaks truly is, the district scores within the 53rd percentile in terms of safety. This means the neighborhood is considered safer than practically 47% of cities throughout the US.
What's The Vibe in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles?
Part of what makes Sherman Oaks a popular neighborhood is that it maintains a nice balance between tranquil suburbia and urban excitement. The majority of it is a peaceful district with good schools, local shops, and beautiful homes fit for families to live in. At the same time, Sherman Oaks also has heavily commercial pockets that are as bustling as central LA itself. This fabulous blend of the two is what makes it a highly sought-after area, perfect for anyone and everyone
moving to Los Angeles. It's easy enough to settle down here and enjoy a slice of the ever-electric Tinseltown.
Is it Expensive in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles?
It's expensive in Sherman Oaks in the sense that it's generally expensive in Los Angeles.
LA's living costs notoriously stay high no matter where you are in the city, but compared to other, more affluent areas, Sherman Oaks surprisingly ranks among the most affordable parts of town. Take the rent here, for instance, which is only at an average $2,119.00 per month. That alone is pretty steep, but it's also fairly standard for LA. Even the common prices for a meal in Sherman Oaks range from a minimum of $16.00 to a maximum of $170.00 in mid-range restaurants.
What to See in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles
Since it is technically an
LA suburb, there aren't that many notable sights to see in Sherman Oaks. If you want to go full-on tourist, you have a better time sightseeing in central Los Angeles. But in this neighborhood, the most worthwhile part is Ventura Boulevard, the area's main retail strip. This is where most locals dine out, shop, and more for that signature big-city experience. There are also the Santa Monica Mountains nearby, perfect for adrenaline junkies who'd want to go on all sorts of adventures in LA. And though it's a fair distance away from the center of Sherman Oaks, Universal Studios Florida is perfect for some family fun under the sun!
What to Do in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles
You should take full advantage of Sherman Oaks and its unique combination of a peaceful suburb and a fun city district. For one thing, its proximity to the Santa Monica Mountains allows you to go on all sorts of nature-centric adventures. You can go hiking, biking, or even camping under the stars without straying too far away from the neighborhood. But if you prefer a more urban sort of excitement, look no further than the famous Ventura Boulevard. This beloved street is lined with the district's best places to eat, coolest shops, and other hip hangouts.
The Best Restaurants in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles
Don't think that just because most of Sherman Oaks's most notable eateries are all along Ventura Boulevard that the neighborhood has a boring culinary scene. This couldn't be further from the truth! This one foodie strip is enough to satisfy any craving and fill any belly in Sherman Oaks and beyond. It may not have
LA's best Michelin-starred restaurants, but the place still boasts diverse cuisines, cool hotspots, and more. Want some Mexican food? Dine at Anejo Cantina and Grill! Prefer Italian instead? Osteria La Buca is the place for you!
Don’t miss out on any or all of the best eateries in Sherman Oaks, especially:
- Anejo Cantina and Grill on Ventura Boulevard
- Bacari Sherman Oaks on Ventura Boulevard
- Blu Jam Cafe on Ventura Boulevard
- Le Petit Restaurant on Ventura Boulevard
- Firefly on Ventura Boulevard
- Osteria La Buca on Ventura Boulevard
- Taisho on Ventura Boulevard
- The Local Peasant on Ventura Boulevard
- Tipsy Cow on Ventura Boulevard
- Wood & Water on Ventura Boulevard
What to Know About Renting in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles
As already mentioned, the rent in Sherman Oaks is not that expensive, at least compared to other parts of LA. While the average rent in other areas goes as high as $3,000.00 to $5,000.00 per month, it's only about $2,119.00 per month here. This is still pretty steep in the grand scheme of things, but it's also not too far from LA's city-wide average. So the common price to
rent a luxury apartment in Los Angeles is largely similar to Sherman Oaks. What is worth noting is that the neighborhood has more houses than apartments, which means getting a place for only around $2,100.00 per month will require a lot of looking.
Sherman Oaks is one of LA's many suburbs that allows you to live in peace in the big city and stay near many urban districts. It offers the best of both worlds, making it one of the best places to stay in Los Angeles.
