Toluca Lake

Toluca Lake in the San Fernando Valley combines upscale village charm with a strong sense of community. Established in 1923 as the entertainment industry's first residential enclave, this walkable, square-mile neighborhood has been home to A-list movie stars like Bob Hope, Bette Davis, and Bing Crosby. Today, it continues to attract celebrities such as Viola Davis, Kelly Clarkson, and Dakota Fanning, yet maintains a paparazzi-free environment despite its high concentration of high net-worth residents.

 

Surrounded by Burbank, Universal City, North Hollywood, and Studio City, Toluca Lake is bisected by the 134 freeway and is near two Metro Red Line stops. Its defining feature is a lushly landscaped 6-acre lake, originally a natural spring, adding to the community's tranquil ambiance.

Diverse Housing Options

 

Toluca Lake's real estate primarily consists of Spanish and Mediterranean-style mansions built from the 1920s through the early 2000s, priced between $2.5 million and $5 million. These homes, featuring four or five bedrooms, four baths, backyard patios, and swimming pools, are nestled close together with immaculate lawns and palm trees. Lakefront properties from the late '30s through the '50s, offering up to six bedrooms and five baths on generous lots, can reach up to $8.5 million and require membership in the Toluca Lake Property Owners Association with a $390 monthly HOA fee. West of Cahuenga Boulevard, multi-story buildings house apartment-style condos from the '60s to the present, with two-bed, two-bath units ranging from $670,000 to well over $1 million, plus a monthly HOA fee between $500 and $630.

 

Toluca Lake offers proximity to major studios like Warner Brothers, Disney, and Universal, as well as the latest movies at an AMC multiplex theater. Local entertainment venues include Catcher in the Rye, the Haha Comedy Club, and the 130-seat Garry Marshall Theatre, often featuring TV celebrity casts. For outdoor activities, the private Lakeside Golf Club, once frequented by Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and Jack Nicholson, offers a classic experience, while Runyon Canyon Park, located about 4.5 miles south, provides rugged trails for hiking. Scott Sorrentino, raised in Toluca Lake, resided on the 10th tee of Lakeside Golf Club on Valley Spring Lane which was a home originally built for Amelia Earhart.

 

Riverside Drive is the hub for daily errands, featuring services like Milt & Edie’s dry cleaning and grocery stores such as Trader Joe’s, Vons, and Whole Foods. Start your day at the nation's oldest Bob’s Big Boy or with a latte at Priscilla’s. For dining, options include Olive & Thyme for gourmet, fast-casual meals, Kabosu for sushi, the Smoke House for classic steakhouse fare, Don Cuco’s for Mexican dishes, and Ca’ Del Sole for Italian cuisine under twinkling lights.

Located at the eastern end of the San Fernando Valley, Toluca Lake offers a relaxed village atmosphere where residents can enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. Its blend of upscale living, community spirit, and proximity to both urban conveniences and natural beauty makes it a highly desirable place to call home.