Located in the San Fernando Valley, living in Encino CA is suburban comfort and urban convenience at its finest. This vibrant neighborhood in Los Angeles County is known for its upscale homes, tree-lined streets, and easy access to top-notch amenities. Whether you’re considering moving to Encino or just exploring neighborhoods in the area, you may be wondering: Is Encino a good place to live? Yes, it is!
Situated along the iconic Ventura Blvd, Encino offers a great mix of trendy cafes, fine dining, boutique shopping, and entertainment venues. Its central location makes it an ideal spot for those who want to enjoy the best of Southern California.
When you compare Encino to other parts of the San Fernando Valley, it stands out for its balance of tranquility and accessibility. Residents enjoy peaceful, family-friendly neighborhoods while still being close to the action of great Los Angeles. With gorgeous parks, great schools, and a strong sense of community, living in Encino CA is an attractive option for families, young professionals, and retirees alike.
Is Encino a Good Place to Live?
Yes, Encino is a good place to live, thanks to its prime location in the San Fernando Valley. Situated along Ventura Blvd, residents living in Encino CA can enjoy a convenient location close to some of the city’s top attractions. Additionally, young professionals have easy access to major freeways, business hubs, and the best that Encino Los Angeles CA has to offer.
Where Is Encino California?
Encino is located in the San Fernando Valley and is in the northwestern part of Los Angeles County. It sits just north of the Santa Monica Mountains. The neighborhood covers an area of around 9.5 square miles and offers a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
Encino is bordered by Woodland Hills to the west, Sherman Oaks to the east, and Studio City to the northeast. To the south, it meets the Santa Monica Mountains, providing residents with access to outdoor recreation. Ventura Blvd, one of the most well-known streets in the area, runs through the heart of Encino. Encino’s proximity to these popular areas is one of the biggest draws of living in Encino CA.
When living in Encino CA, you’ll be just 20 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, making it a convenient choice for commuters. On average, the drive from Encino to downtown takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. It also takes about 30 minutes to get from Encino to Beverly Hills.
Encino is a primarily car-dependent neighborhood; however, you can catch the Metro Orange Line, which provides rapid bus service through the San Fernando Valley.
The Encino zip code primarily includes 91316 and 91436, while the Encino area code is 818.
Encino Map
Encino History & Overview
Before you start living in Encino CA, you’ll want to know a bit more about this vibrant neighborhood. The area was first inhabited in 1769 during the Spanish colonization era. Later, in 1845, the area was given to three Mission Indians by Governor Pio Pico and was then purchased by Vicente de la Ossa in 1849.
For years, the area was home to vineyards, olive trees, and orchards before becoming home to several defense-related industries during World War II. Today, Encino remains very important but is mostly known for being a wealthy suburb of Los Angeles. Those living in Encino CA are quite wealthy, and the neighborhood is nicknamed the “Bedroom of the Stars.”
Here are a few more Encino demographics you should know before moving to Encino.
- Encino population: 34,086
- Encino median household income: $139,864
- Median age: 40.1
- Foreign-born population: 36.6%
- Racial & ethnic composition: 87% White (75% non-Hispanic), 5% Asian, 5% two or more races, 2% Black or African American
What celebrities live in Encino? A few notable people from the area include model Olivia Culpo, actress Selena Gomez, musician Dave Grohl, and actress Kyle Richards.
What’s It Like Living in Encino CA?
Living in Encino CA offers a relaxed, upscale lifestyle with easy access to the energy of Southern California. Because Encino is situated between the Santa Monica Mountains and Sherman Oaks, it offers both amazing nature and urban amenities. The neighborhood attracts a mix of families, retirees, and young professionals looking for a quieter alternative to the hustle of central Los Angeles. While not as trendy or hipster-driven as areas like Silver Lake or West Hollywood, Encino maintains a very welcoming environment and is also LGBTQ+ friendly.
Encino is somewhat walkable, particularly around Encino Commons, which is a commercial strip filled with restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. When it comes to affordability, living in Encino CA tends to be on the pricier side compared to other neighborhoods in the area. The cost of living is driven by high home prices, luxury apartments, and a demand for quality amenities.
If you’re looking for jobs in Encino, you’ll find opportunities in industries like healthcare, finance, and real estate. With a strong presence of medical offices, small businesses, and corporate headquarters, you’ll find plenty of great Encino jobs.
Things to Do in Encino CA - Best Restaurants, Attractions, & Shopping
When living in Encino CA, there is no shortage of fun things to do. From amazing recreation areas and golf courses to shopping opportunities on Ventura Boulevard and Sherman Oaks, you’ll never be unsure of what to do in Encino.
Restaurants
There are dozens of amazing Encino restaurants for you to enjoy when living in Encino CA. If you’re looking for American restaurants in Encino, then check out The Stand, an elevated fast-food joint. For brunch, head over to Claudine Artisan Kitchen & Bakeshop, where you’ll find delicious pastries and freshly made coffee. To get your fix of Italian, you can’t go wrong with Emilio’s Trattoria.
Attractions
What is there to do when living in Encino CA? After moving to Encino, you’ll find no shortage of things to do. The neighborhood is full of recreation areas and hiking trails like Encino Park and Los Encinos State Historic Park. If you head just outside of the neighborhood, you can enjoy the large Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, or check out popular L.A. attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Griffith Observatory.
Shopping
Need some retail therapy when living in Encino CA? Everything you could ever need is at Encino Commons. Located on Ventura Blvd, Encino Commons has a wide range of shopping options, and you can find everything from your daily groceries to a luxury handbag here. This area is accessible both on foot and by car.
This is where you’ll find these wonderful Encino attractions:
- The Stand, 17000 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316, (818) 788-2700
- Claudine Artisan Kitchen & Bakeshop, 16350 Ventura Blvd ste f, Encino, CA 91436, (818) 616-3838
- Emilio’s Trattoria, 16234 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436, (818) 784-7499
- Encino Park, 16953 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316, (818) 995-1690
- Los Encinos State Historic Park, 16756 Moorpark St, Encino, CA 91436, (818) 784-4849
- Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, 17017 Burbank Blvd, Encino, CA 91316, (818) 756-8188
- Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Boulevard, Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
- Griffith Observatory, 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, (213) 473-0800
- Encino Commons, Ventura Blvd & Louise Ave, Encino, CA, 91316, Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316, (818) 780-9100
Encino Schools
Curious about the schools your kids will go to when living in Encino CA? Encino is known for its good schools and is in the Los Angeles Unified School District. This Encino school district is the largest in California and has several great schools across the city. Living in Encino CA offers the ideal location for attending the following schools:
Searching for private schools in Encino? Encino is home to some of the best private schools in the San Fernando Valley, such as Sage Academy and Westmark School.
Is Encino Safe?
Is living in Encino CA safe? Before moving to Encino, you’ll likely ask this question. Here’s an overview of the Encino crime rate.
- Overall crime rate: 2,767 crimes per 100,000 people (24.5% lower than the Los Angeles average)
- Violent crime rate: 290 crimes per 100,000 people (96.7% lower than the Los Angeles average)
- Property crime rate: 2,477 crimes per 100,000 people (8.9% lower than the Los Angeles average)
As you can see, living in Encino CA is very safe, with crime rates well below the city average. The Los Angeles Police Department protects the area.
Encino Real Estate
The real estate market is a huge draw for those moving to Encino. When living in Encino CA, you truly can have your dream home. Encino luxury homes are some of the nicest in the state, and the home prices reflect that. According to Redfin, the median price of Encino California houses is $1.56 million. Although this is high, home prices are down, with the Encino real estate market dropping 17.9% compared to last year.
While most people buy real estate, there are a few apartment complexes in the area. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Encino is $2,343 per month.
Let Our Encino CA Movers Help You Get Settled
Is Encino a good place to live? Yes! This Los Angeles County neighborhood is one of the best places to plant your roots. If living in Encino CA sounds great to you, then get in touch with the dependable Encino movers at Movegreen. Give our team a call today at (866) 684-7336 to get started with a free quote.
