Is the Valley Part of Los Angeles?

The question of whether 'the Valley' is part of Los Angeles often invokes discussions about geography, culture, and local identity. While the San Fernando Valley is an integral part of Los Angeles County, its status as a fully integrated area within Los Angeles city limits varies based on perspective.

Geographic and Administrative Details

The Valley, as mentioned, is part of Los Angeles County but is not officially included in Los Angeles city. It comprises several cities: Northridge, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Burbank, Pacoima, and Granada Hills. However, the Valley is most commonly associated with the San Fernando Valley, which is unequivocally a part of Los Angeles city.

San Fernando Valley

If 'the Valley' is specifically referred to as the San Fernando Valley, it is definitively within the city of Los Angeles. Other notable cities in the San Fernando Valley include Glendale, Burbank, and Calabasas. Areas like West Hills, Canoga Park, Winnetka, Lake Balboa, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch, Pacoima, and Panorama City are all part of the City of Los Angeles, now home to nearly 4 million residents.

Regional Identity and Perception

The identity of the Valley—and whether it is part of Los Angeles—is often influenced by local perceptions and geographic context. For instance, some people from Northern California might consider everything south of Bakersfield and Santa Barbara to fall under the Los Angeles region, including the Valley. Others, particularly those native to other parts of Los Angeles, might have a more specific definition.

Confusion and Divergence

Those from areas such as Arcadia, Monrovia, or places like the San Gabriel Valley might define 'the Valley' differently. Some might consider the San Gabriel Valley as the Valley, while others might refer to the 'western edge of the Inland Empire.' In some cases, if you're a 'Valley Girl' as portrayed in popular culture, or a territorial surfer in Malibu or Zuma, the distinction becomes even more subtle.

City of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley

The city of Los Angeles is expansive, with the San Fernando Valley being an intrinsic part of it. Some areas of the San Fernando Valley are actually separate cities, such as San Fernando, Glendale, Burbank, and Calabasas. However, within the City of Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley is part of its sprawling territory. Even areas that might be considered part of the 'LA Basin' are within the city limits of Los Angeles, with suburbs like Burbank surrounding the city.

For those who have lived in Southern California for decades, like the author, the Valley is deeply intertwined with Los Angeles. The Valley is a significant part of the city's fabric, contributing to its economic and cultural landscape. Understanding this distinction helps in clarifying the integration of the Valley into the larger geographical and administrative context of Los Angeles.