Sherman Oaks and Studio City sit side by side along Ventura Boulevard, just over the hill from Laurel Canyon and the Hollywood Hills. Missig Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties has represented buyers and sellers here for more than two decades, from Calvin Straub's post and beam Ebbink Residence in Studio City to mid-century hillside homes south of the Boulevard, Valley traditionals and condominiums.
Many of our clients come to the Valley from the other side of the hill, and many go back and forth. Phil Missig came to real estate from fashion, photography and an interest in architecture and design, and the canyons above Ventura Boulevard hold some of the best mid-century houses in Los Angeles. We know them, and we know what to check in them.
Sherman Oaks and Studio City Real Estate
From ranch land to the Boulevard
Both neighborhoods began as San Fernando Valley ranch land after the Valley joined Los Angeles in 1915. Sherman Oaks was founded in 1927 by Gen. Moses Sherman, a partner in the Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company, which subdivided about 1,000 acres along Ventura Boulevard. Sherman, along with Harry Chandler, was also one of the backers of Hollywoodland, on the other side of the hill.
Studio City got its name from the movies. In 1927 a land syndicate bought former Lankershim Ranch land to build a film district, and Mack Sennett opened his new studio on Radford Avenue in 1928. So many people drove out to watch it go up that the post office that opened that year was named the Studio City Post Office, and the name stuck. The lot later became Republic Pictures and then CBS Studio Center, now Radford Studio Center.
After World War II, both neighborhoods filled in. The flats north of Ventura Boulevard grew with Traditional and ranch houses, and the hills to the south, along Coldwater, Laurel, Beverly Glen and Sepulveda canyons, became home to post and beam and mid-century modern houses by architects such as Calvin Straub, with views across the Valley.
Where they are: in the San Fernando Valley, just north of the Santa Monica Mountains and Mulholland Drive. Studio City runs west from Universal City and the Cahuenga Pass, and Sherman Oaks continues west to just past the 405. Ventura Boulevard runs through both.
Longridge Estates
The hillside streets south of Ventura Boulevard near the Studio City line, with larger homes, lots and views.
Pockets
Royal Woods
The wooded hillside streets around Royal Woods and Crownridge drives south of Ventura Boulevard, with mid-century and newer homes on generous lots and views across the Valley.
SHERMAN OAKS
Stansbury Estates
The tree-lined streets around Stansbury Avenue just south of Ventura Boulevard, with traditional and mid-century homes close to the Boulevard.
The Sherman Oaks hills
The canyons and ridges between Beverly Glen and Sepulveda up to Mulholland Drive, with mid-century homes and new houses terraced into the hills, and views across the Valley.
Chandler Estates
A neighborhood of mid-century ranch homes on generous lots in the flats north of the 101, whose homeowners petitioned to become part of Sherman Oaks in 1991.
The Sherman Oaks flats
North of Ventura Boulevard toward Magnolia and Burbank boulevards, with 1930s to 1950s Traditional and ranch homes near the Sherman Oaks Galleria and Westfield Fashion Square.
STUDIO CITY
The Silver Triangle
The flat, walkable streets just south of Ventura Boulevard between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Whitsett Avenue, up to Laurel Terrace Drive, within the Carpenter Community Charter boundary.
Laurel Terrace
The first rise of hills above the Silver Triangle along Laurel Terrace Drive, with mid-century homes and Valley views.
Fryman Canyon and Laurelwood
The hills on either side of Laurel Canyon Boulevard above Ventura, from Fryman Canyon toward Coldwater and along Laurelwood Drive, with post and beam and mid-century homes, Valley views and trails.
Wrightwood Estates and the Donas
The hills at the eastern end of Studio City toward Universal City, with winding streets, mid-century houses and views across the Valley.
Colfax Meadows
The flats between Colfax and Tujunga avenues, from Moorpark Street to the Los Angeles River, with 1930s and 1940s homes on tree-lined streets, long home to studio workers.
Tujunga Village
The walkable strip of shops and cafes on Tujunga Avenue north of Ventura Boulevard, and the streets around it.
Studio City is mostly in the 91604 ZIP code, and Sherman Oaks in 91403 and 91423, all within the City of Los Angeles.
A selection of homes we have represented
The Ebbink Residence, c. 1953, by Calvin Straub FAIA, 3549 Laurelvale Drive, Studio City. A post and beam home by the architect known as the father of California post and beam, with terrazzo floors, floor-to-ceiling glass and indoor-outdoor living around a saltwater pool, photographed by Julius Shulman for California Homes magazine. We represented the seller. View the home
11751 Laurelwood Drive, Studio City. A gated hillside home just above Ventura Boulevard with panoramic Valley views, a guest studio at the top of a terraced garden, and a pool, within the Carpenter Community Charter boundary. We represented both the seller and the buyer. View the home
3738 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, 1941, Studio City. A 1940s home at the Valley end of Laurel Canyon, minutes from Ventura Boulevard and over the hill to Hollywood. We represented the seller.
13566 Contour Drive, 1955, Sherman Oaks. A mid-century hillside home south of the Boulevard by William Mellenthin, the builder known for his Valley ranch houses, with a vaulted living room, an open plan, and a pool and outdoor dining area with views. We represented the buyer, and later the seller.
Other streets where we have represented buyers and sellers include Del Gado, Sherview, Hartsook, Burnet, Noble and Stansbury in Sherman Oaks, and Moorpark and Tujunga in Studio City.
See our full architectural and mid-century portfolio.
Buying in Sherman Oaks and Studio City
These are the points we walk every buyer through.
South of the Boulevard or north. The hills south of Ventura Boulevard offer views and privacy, with steeper driveways and narrower streets. The flats offer bigger yards and easier access. Know which trade-off you want.
School boundaries. Carpenter Community Charter and other sought-after public elementary schools have firm attendance boundaries. Confirm the address with LAUSD before you write an offer.
Fire insurance. Much of the hillside south of Ventura Boulevard is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Get insurance quotes before you remove contingencies.
Hillside construction. Hillside homes fall under the city's Baseline Hillside Ordinance, which limits how much you can add. Check the numbers before you plan an expansion.
The commute over the hill. Coldwater, Laurel and Beverly Glen canyons and the 405 each behave differently at rush hour. Drive your route at the hours you would use it.
Permits and mid-century details. Many hillside homes were updated over the decades. We compare what was built against what was permitted, and what survives of the original design.
Frequently asked questions
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Missig Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties has represented buyers and sellers in Sherman Oaks and Studio City for more than two decades, from Calvin Straub's Ebbink Residence to hillside mid-century homes, Valley traditionals and condominiums. Many of our clients have bought and sold with us more than once.
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It refers to the neighborhoods south of Ventura Boulevard, in the hills and canyons below Mulholland Drive. In Sherman Oaks and Studio City, south of the Boulevard usually means views, privacy and hillside living, and it is one of the most sought-after parts of the Valley.
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Studio City is mostly 91604. Sherman Oaks is mostly 91403 and 91423. Both are within the City of Los Angeles.
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In Studio City: the Silver Triangle, Laurel Terrace, Fryman Canyon, Laurelwood, Wrightwood Estates, the Donas, Colfax Meadows and Tujunga Village. In Sherman Oaks: Longridge Estates, Stansbury Estates, the Sherman Oaks hills south of the Boulevard, Chandler Estates and the flats north of Ventura Boulevard.
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Mack Sennett opened a film studio on Radford Avenue in 1928, and the post office that opened that year was named the Studio City Post Office. The studio lot later became Republic Pictures and CBS Studio Center.
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Public options include Carpenter Community Charter, Dixie Canyon Community Charter and Walter Reed Middle School. Private schools in the area include Harvard-Westlake, Campbell Hall, Buckley and Notre Dame High School. Public assignments depend on the address, so confirm with LAUSD's Resident School Locator.
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Laurel Canyon and the 101 lead to Hollywood, and Coldwater Canyon, Beverly Glen and the 405 lead to Beverly Hills and the Westside. Each route behaves differently by time of day.
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Yes. Both are in the City of Los Angeles, so Measure ULA's transfer tax applies to sales above the city's thresholds, which adjust each year. We can tell you where a sale would land before you list.
Buying or selling in Sherman Oaks or Studio City? From the canyons south of the Boulevard to the flats, we would be glad to talk. Call Phil at 310.844.6434 or email Missig Team at info@missigteam.com.
See also our Laurel Canyon page, Hollywood Hills page and full architectural and mid-century portfolio.