We serve clients on both sides of the hill and have been spending even more time in the Valley these last couple of years with buyers searching for a little more space.
One of the most happening and most central / conveniently located neighborhoods in the Valley is Studio City. I asked my resident Valley Girl, Carly Steinberg from the team, to give us a rundown of her favorite spots.
Named after the CBS Studio Center established in 1927, Studio City has become one of the most popular places in The Valley. With its numerous sushi spots, trendy shops, and woodsy hiking trails, there is never a dull moment in Studio City. A beautiful and quaint neighborhood with easy access to the studios and West Hollywood / Beverly Hills, it’s no wonder so many celebrities, such as Bruno Mars, Hilary Duff, and George Clooney have chosen to call it home. So before you sh*t on The Valley, come visit Studio City for a day and when you do, be sure to check out these local favorites.
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Restaurants / Bars
Uovo
A new addition to The Valley, Uovo is an authentic Italian pasta restaurant located in the new Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge. Uovo shares owners with Sugarfish and KazuNori, and has a similar sushi-bar type layout. Their pasta is made fresh by hand daily in Bologna, Italy and sent to restaurant over-night! I’ve tried a few of their pasta dishes but I have to say, my favorite is their Cacio e Pepe.
Firefly
Firefly is one of the best dinner restaurants in Studio City. They have beautiful decor and delicious meals! It’s the perfect location for a date night or birthday dinner with friends.
Laurel Tavern
Laurel Tavern is a great place for happy hour and their amazing appetizers and shared dishes make it a perfect place to meet up with friends. Plus, it’s right next to Teru Sushi!
Teru Sushi
There are so many sushi restaurants in Studio City, it’s hard to pick just one. Teru, however, is one place I frequent and has been there since 1979. Did you know that there’s a block on Ventura Blvd in Studio City famously called “Sushi Row” and has the highest concentration of sushi restaurants anywhere in the United States and the second highest outside of Tokyo?! If you are a fan of sushi, definitely try out Teru and let us know if you try any other sushi spots in Studio City! I’ve heard great things.
Joan’s on Third
Joan’s on Third is a staple in Los Angeles. Their famous Chinese chicken salad is a must-try! The original location is, you guessed it, on Third Street but I am so glad they have one in The Valley. Not only is Joan’s a great restaurant, but it is also a specialty food marketplace. If you are hosting and don’t want to cook, Joan’s does great catering as well.
The Village
I love the atmosphere at The Village. The Village is the perfect happy hour spot and they also have a private patio for events. They are known for their wood-fired pizza, but everything I’ve eaten there has been amazing. I love their meatless tacos and salmon bowl. They also have a hefty weekend brunch menu.
Granville
Granville has it all - great food, great drinks, and a great atmosphere. Seriously, I haven’t tried anything on their menu that wasn’t fantastic. And everyone knows it, because it’s usually always packed. I have to say, they have one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Plus their weekend brunch menu is unreal - I mean, pumpkin chai hot cakes? Say less.
Carney's
Carney's is an LA staple and the place to go if you're looking for some of the best hamburgers and hot dogs in Los Angeles. The restaurant is inside of a yellow Union Pacific rail car, which makes eating here a pretty unique experience. You can find their original location which opened in 1978 on Sunset Boulevard.
Salt and Straw
I can smell Salt and Straw from a block away! The ice cream here is truly amazing. They have so many unique flavors including strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper. My go to is their honey lavender flavor in a waffle cone. Of course they have the classic flavors as well. I’m salivating just thinking about it!
McConnell’s
Another iconic ice cream location. McConnell’s originally started in Santa Barbara in 1949 and they now have seven locations in California. They also have fresh baked cookies! My favorite flavor is their Sea Salt Cream & Cookies.
Coffee Shops / Cafes
Alfred
Call me basic, but I love an oat milk matcha latte from Alfred. I’m not a big coffee drinker, but I hear they are famous for their vanilla latte. Alfred recently launched an app where you can order ahead, which is super convenient. Plus, if you use the code “WELCOME” on the app, your first order is free!
Starbucks
Why am I mentioning Starbucks, you ask? Because this Starbucks on the corner of Vantage and Ventura in Studio City isn’t just any Starbucks. I’ve seen my fair share of celebrities at this location either hanging out with their families or going over a script (yes, really..so LA). If you have friends in town visiting and you want a chance to see a celeb while drinking mediocre coffee, this Starbucks may be just the place.
Bluebottle
You can find a Bluebottle in just about any “trendy” area in LA. Grab a cup of their fresh roasted coffee before you stroll along the shops on Ventura Blvd.
Philz
Philz coffee is actually a game changer. They have so many unique blends that you can’t find at any other coffee shop. Even though coffee gives me extreme jitters, it’s often worth it for their Iced Mint Mojito coffee and their Iced Coffee Rose. Check out their other creations here! Like Alfred, they also have an app where you can order ahead but I will warn you that the wait times can be quite long, especially on weekends.
Bluestone Lane
Bluestone Lane is an Australian-inspired coffee shop and cafe on Ventura in the prime shopping area in Studio City. Their avocado toast is amazing and all of their food is definitely instagram worthy.
Aroma Coffee & Tea
Aroma is a chic and cozy cafe located in Tujunga Village. You can catch all of the actors and influencers grabbing a pastry at Aroma. The line here gets pretty hectic, especially on weekends!
Civil Coffee
Civil Coffee is a newer addition to The Valley and is located at the new shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge. This is the perfect location to meet up with friends, have a business meeting, or grab a cup of coffee after your morning workout at Equinox.
Shopping
The Shops at Sportsmen's Lodge
The Sportsmen’s Lodge makeover has been huge for The Valley. There are so many trendy shops such as Reformation, AllBirds, Vuori, The Great, FP Movement, Rolling Greens, FRED SEGAL, and Madewell to name a few. And of course, this trendy LA shopping center wouldn’t be complete without an Erewhon.
Shops on Ventura between Laurel Canyon and Rhodes
This little strip on Ventura Blvd in Studio City is the perfect place for window shopping. You’ll see stores like Urban Outfitters, Crossroads Trading, Gorjana, Aesop, Soto, Wildflora, Boisson, Papersource, Annabelle’s Books, and Barnes and Nobles (Bookstar). I tend to come to this area a lot, especially when I’m looking for a gift - though most of the time, I end up leaving with a little something for myself as well.
Health & Fitness
WundaBar Pilates
If you're into pilates, check out WundaBar on Ventura Blvd. Founded by celebrity trainer Amy Jordan, WundaBar offers classes both in person and online.
Tracy Anderson
Tracy Anderson’s workout program has become all the talk in LA. Tracy Anderson studios are membership based, offering members with customized prescriptions for their total health focusing on fitness, nutrition and overall wellness.
Equinox
Check out the brand new Equinox that just opened up a few months ago at The Shops at Sportsmen's Lodge.
Fryman Canyon
If you just want to get outside and hike while overlooking the valley, Fryman Canyon is the place to be. Fryman is a popular hiking trail located off of Laurel Canyon. It’s about a 3 mile easy/moderate hike that goes through the Tree People location. Currently as I’m writing this, Fryman is closed due to mudslides from the rain but it should be open soon!
Activities
Studio City Farmers Market
You can catch me at this Farmer’s Market every Sunday! Located on Ventura Place and open every Sunday from 8am - 1pm, the market’s vendors offer everything from grass fed beef and fresh seafood to artisan breads, olive oils, honey, prepared foods and lots of fruits and vegetables. Some of my favorites are the guacamole and the hummus. It’s the perfect place to come with your family and young kids. There’s even a bounce house and kids activities!
Pinz Bowling
An iconic bowling location in Studio City. Whether you’re looking for a fun family activity, or a late night out with friends, Pinz is your place.
Universal Studios
Technically a little bit outside of Studio City, but close enough that it counts. Head over to Universal for a studio tour, to enjoy some rides, or to take a stroll along City Walk.
