South Woodland Hills
Ventura Blvd restaurant row, quiet hillside streets, and the neighborhood's leafy core.
Where it is
South of the US-101, from Topanga Canyon Blvd east toward Shoup Avenue, up into the hills toward Mulholland Drive. Includes Braemar and Carlton Terrace.
The vibe
Established, tree-lined, and unmistakably Valley-meets-hillside — ranch homes on quiet cul-de-sacs give way to view lots climbing toward Mulholland, all a five-minute drive from the restaurants and boutiques strung along Ventura Boulevard.
Neighborhood highlights
- Ventura Boulevard's restaurant and boutique corridor
- Top of Topanga Overlook and the Backbone Trail along Mulholland Drive
- Serrania Park's shaded picnic groves and dog park
- Quick access to Topanga Canyon Blvd (SR-27) toward the coast
Neighborhoods within 91364
Where to eat
- Casa VegaWoodland Hills institution since 1956 — old-school red booths and strong margaritas.
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Claim this business - Le Sanglier French RestaurantLongtime special-occasion French dining tucked off Ventura Blvd.
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Claim this business - Marmalade CafeReliable brunch spot with a big patio near Topanga Canyon Blvd.
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Claim this business - Prime Kosher DeliPastrami and matzo ball soup that draws people from across the Valley.
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Claim this business - Coral Tree CaféSandwiches and salads with a small, sunny patio.
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Things to do & see
- Top of Topanga OverlookSweeping Valley-to-ocean view a short drive up Topanga Canyon Blvd.
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Claim this business - Mulholland Drive scenic turnoutsRidgeline views and popular sunset stops just above the neighborhood.
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Claim this business - Ventura Blvd gallery and boutique stripIndependent shops, antique dealers, and salons for blocks.
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Claim this business - Backbone Trail trailheadsAccess points into the Santa Monica Mountains for hikers and trail runners.
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Where to shop
- Ventura Boulevard boutiquesIndependent gift shops, home décor, and longtime family businesses.
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Claim this business - Shoup Avenue plazasEveryday grocery, pharmacy, and service retail.
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Claim this business - Topanga Canyon Blvd corridorAuto services, home goods, and casual dining on the way to the 101.
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Parks & green space
- Serrania ParkPicnic shelters, a dog park, and mature shade trees — the neighborhood's living room.
- Woodland Hills Recreation CenterPool, gym, and youth sports leagues.
- Wilbur Avenue ParkSmall neighborhood park with playground and walking loop.
Schools
- Woodland Hills Elementary
- Hamlin Charter Academy
- Taft Charter High
Housing
A mix of 1950s–1960s single-story ranch homes on generous lots north of Ventura Blvd, and larger view homes climbing the hillside toward Mulholland Drive. It's one of the more walkable, established pockets of Woodland Hills, with mature trees and consistently strong resale demand.
Getting around
The US-101 freeway runs along the northern edge with on-ramps at Topanga Canyon Blvd and Valley Circle, and Ventura Blvd carries local bus lines end to end. Most errands are a short drive; hillside streets above Ventura are best explored by car.
A little history
This part of Woodland Hills developed rapidly after World War II as returning veterans and their families moved into new Valley subdivisions. Ventura Boulevard grew alongside it as the commercial spine of the whole southwest Valley, and longtime restaurants like Casa Vega have anchored the strip for generations.
Living here
Residents here like being able to walk to dinner on Ventura Blvd, hike into the Santa Monica Mountains on a whim, and still get a quiet, tree-shaded street to come home to. It skews established and family-oriented, with plenty of longtime homeowners.
Visiting for the first time
Start with breakfast on Ventura Blvd, drive up Topanga Canyon Blvd to the Top of Topanga Overlook for the view, then come back down for dinner at Casa Vega. It's the fastest way to understand why people don't leave South Woodland Hills once they move in.
A day in 91364
Start with coffee and a pastry near Shoup Avenue, then wander the Ventura Blvd boutiques before lunch at Coral Tree Café. In the afternoon, drive up Topanga Canyon Blvd to the Top of Topanga Overlook for a Valley-to-ocean view, or pick up the Backbone Trail for a shorter hike. Close the day with dinner and margaritas at Casa Vega — a Woodland Hills tradition since 1956.
Why locals love it
Because it has the best of both worlds: a genuine commercial strip within walking distance and quiet, tree-lined residential streets a block away. Neighbors know each other, dogs get walked at Serrania Park every evening, and the drive up into the hills for a sunset view takes less than ten minutes.