Staycation in The San Fernando Valley
By Danrochelle D. Yumul
With Labor Day just around the corner, most of us are making travel plans to take a mini vacation away from the daily grind. But, of course, with going out of town comes the stress of dealing with crowds, traffic, and the feeling of your getaway ending too abruptly. Instead of spending more on travel and dealing with crowds, why not plan a staycation and have an adventure in your own backyard?
Here are a couple of suggestions on how to spend your vacation in the San Fernando Valley and become a tourist in your own community.
BOOK A TOUR.
My Valley Pass offers various bus tours of the San Fernando Valley.
· The San Fernando Valley Film Bus tour, a three-hour bus tour featuring about 40 of the most iconic filming locations of your favorite movies including Back to the Future, Wayne’s World, and La Bamba just to name a few. Admission is $44.95 per person.
· The San Fernando Valley Restaurant tour, a five-hour tour offers a private behind the scenes look at some of valley’s historic restaurants. The tour includes menu tastings at each restaurant (excludes drinks). Admission is $74.95 per person.
· The San Fernando Valley Bizarre Bus tour explores secret places, crime scenes, hauntings and true oddities unique to the valley. This three-hour tour is not for the faint of heart! Admission is $44.95 per person.
On May 25th, join local comedian Cassie Angel (The Valley Vixen) on The San Fernando Valley Brewery bus tour. This guided tour includes a visit to four local breweries and offers a behind the scenes look at each. You will receive at flight of three 4oz samplings at each brewery as well a variety of small giveaways at the end of the tour. Admission is $69.95 per person. All participants must be 21 and over.
All tour details are listed on our website under our Events & Tours section.
TAKE A HIKE.
Put on your hiking shoes and lather up with sunscreen! The San Fernando Valley is surrounded by numerous hiking trails leading to breathtaking views of the mountains. With the recent rain showers, the trails are covered in vibrant canopies of greenery, lined with flowers in full bloom.
· Dixie Canyon Trail 3600 Dixie Canyon Pl, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
· Limekiln Canyon Trail Chatsworth St. & Tampa Ave, Porter Ranch, CA 91326
· Fryman Canyon Park 8401 Mulholland Dr., Studio City, 91604
· Stoney Point Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth, CA 91311
· Wildwood Canyon Park 1701 Wildwood Canyon Dr., Burbank, CA 91501
Parking is mostly on the street. Remember to bring enough water. Enjoy the hike with your family and friends!
IT’S A SPA DAY!
Finding your inner peace? In need of some self-care? Make it a spa day in the valley! We’re talking about saunas, sleeping rooms, and maybe throw in a secret garden. Relax and rejuvenate in some of the hidden spa spots in the valley.
· Decanso Garden Spa
7226 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga, CA 91402
(818)352-2500
Located in a strip mall on Foothill Boulevard, this two-story Korean Spa offers six different relaxation rooms including sleeping rooms, and an oxygen room. They have designated areas of women and men with the saunas in the general area. A cafeteria serving Korean food is also on the premises. Services start range from $40 to $200. General entrance fees waived for services of $70 and above. Otherwise, if you just want to take advantage of the saunas, the all-day pass is priced at $20 per person for adults and $10 for children 5 to 10 years old.
· CJ Grand Spa
10211 Balboa Blvd, Northridge, CA 91325
(818)407-9000
A day spa closer to the heart of the valley, CJ Grand Spa provides a wide array of treatments including all-day access to their sauna rooms and hot and cold jacuzzi. General admission is $22 per person. Services range from $80 to $250. They also offer a 10 visit discount admission coupon for $150 expires after one year.
· Burbank Spa and Garden
2115 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506
(818)845-1251
A saloon in the 1920s then an Italian restaurant in the 1950s, it is now the home of a secret garden spa in the middle of Burbank. Recently renovated, this day spa offers a tranquil garden and patio setting, a Finnish Sauna, and separate amenities for men and women. Spa packages range from $50 to $400.
PLAN YOUR ESCAPE!
For those looking to test out their problem-solving skills, you don’t have to drive down to LA since the valley gives you numerous escape room options.
· Enchanted Escape Room
8300 Tampa Ave, PH, Northridge, CA 91324
(818)855-9951
· The Hidden Passage
7430 Coldwater Canyon Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91605
(818)300-2314
· The Room
11500 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818)424-3595
SAY ALOHA!
Even if the San Fernando Valley is about 30 minutes from the closest beach, locals and visitors alike can experience a bit of the island vibe. Enjoy a tiki drink or two, grab some spam musubis, and maybe experience a luau.
· Kahuna Tiki
11026 Magnolia Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818)853-7447
Maybe it’s the outdoor seating, the tikis, the mini waterfalls, or the tiki bar just around the corner but Kahuna Tiki’s ambiance alone can make you forget you’re in North Hollywood. Throw in a Mai Tai, maybe a Blue Hawaiian and some island Ahi poke, and spam musubi and you’re on a tropical vacation without taking a five hour flight. Every Sunday at 7:30pm, they hold a Polynesian luau with a live performance from Te Aho Nui, a Los Angeles based Tahitian dance school. Aloha (Happy) hour is on Mondays through Thursdays from 3pm to 6pm.
· Tonga Hut Tiki Lounge
12808 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91606
(818)769-0708
Tonga Hut Tiki Lounge is the oldest tiki bar in Los Angeles and it’s everything you imagine a tiki bar should be, bamboo lined booths, retro decorations, waterfalls, different sized tikis all over, a collection of tiki cups on the wall and even a big map of the islands. The drink menu is extensive---from the Tonga Hut Rum Barrel to the Scorpion Bowl. A word of warning: sip your drinks slowly. There are several types of rum in them. Drinks range from $9 to $15. A trip to this establishment is must!
These are just some suggestions to consider if you plan on staying local for the Memorial Day weekend or any holiday weekend. The San Fernando Valley is just waiting to be explored!