Toluca Lake Real Estate
Toluca Lake might be the best kept real estate secret in the San Fernando Valley. Home to Hollywood stars past and present as well as executives of the nearby studios and aerospace industries, it is often referred to as a little slice of Mayberry in the middle of the big city.
Originally developed in the 1920’s, this relatively small 1.2 square mile village spans the city of Los Angeles and the City of Burbank and is centered around an actual 6 acre private lake. The lake is bordered by the 35 homes within the gated Estates on Toluca Lake and is adjacent to the exclusive Lakeside Golf Club.
Most of the homes in the original neighborhood, south of Riverside Drive, were built in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s and are a mix of Spanish Colonial, Tudor Revival and American Colonial styles. Newer construction tends to be concentrated north of Riverside Drive.
Homes in this area do not change hands often. Let us take charge of your quest to find a home in this most desirable of neighborhoods.
What’s it like to live in Toluca Lake?
The first thing that comes to mind for us when we think of Toluca Lake is Old Hollywood. Many of these historic homes with iconic architecture have quite a pedigree. Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Gene Autry, Dorothy Lamour, Doris Day, Red Foxx, Tennessee Ernie Ford, John Ritter, Frankie Avalon, Goldie Hawn and Marie Osmond have lived here.
Moving beyond that, Toluca Lake is a beautiful, peaceful and picturesque place to call home. The streets are tree lined and upscale but with a friendly and neighborly vibe. The residents are fiercely loyal to each other, especially when it comes to safeguarding the privacy of famous faces. Perhaps this is why there has been a new wave of celebrity migration into the area.
Venture outside of the residential streets and there is plenty to do and see easily within walking distance.
Riverside Drive is very pedestrian friendly and is dotted with favorite shops, restaurants, taverns and coffeehouses. The original Bob’s Big Boy at 4211 W Riverside Drive was built in 1949 and is still a magnet for all things retro in the town.
The List - Toluca Lake Living
So we got you into your dream home in Toluca Lake and you are all moved in? Where are you going to go for dinner? Here is our list of your soon to be go to spots :
SweetSalt, wildly popular Martha's Vineyard inspired salads and sandwiches.
Cascabel, rattlesnake themed… yes rattlesnake, coastal-Mexican spot.
Aeirloom, organic artisanal coffee, pastry and baked goods shop.
Patys Restaurant, circa 1960 coffeehouse featuring all day breakfast.
Forman’s Tavern, upscale woodsy gastropub for grilled meats & whiskey.
Home for the Holidays in Toluca Lake
Have we mentioned that Toluca Lake is a very closely knit family community? Well it is. One way that is abundantly evident is their neighborhood traditions, of which there are many. Some are pretty pedestrian, like spending time to catch up at the local post office or summertime evening walks.
Some are worth waiting an entire year to experience, can you guess?
The Toluca Lake neighborhood takes holiday making to a whole new level. We personally expect nothing less from a community with a large contingent of people from the entertainment industry.
For instance, there is a long running Magical Holiday Parade that utilizes a community funded 501(c)(3) organization non profit to organize and produce an annual parade with caroling. It has been going for 37 years!
And of course, like a scene from the Nightmare Before Christmas, Halloween is not going to just lay down and let Christmas have all of the fun. So there is the Annual Halloween Yard Decorating, dare I say competition, that is also long standing and wildly popular.
Toluca Lake Real Estate FAQs
Is Toluca Lake a town or a city or a village?
Actually Toluca Lake is more of a historically defined area that straddles the edge of the City of Los Angeles and the City of Burbank and is tucked in between the Hollywood Hills, Studio City, North Hollywood and Burbank.
What celebrities have lived or do live in Toluca Lake?
To name a few - WC Fields, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Rudy Valle, Gene Autry, Dorothy Lamour, Doris Day, Red Foxx, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Ozzie, Harriet, David and Ricky Nelson, Jim Nabors, Sandra Dee, Bobby Darin, Frankie Avalon, Andy Griffith, Jonathan Winters, Goldie Hawn, JoAnn Worley, James Garner, Angela Cartwright, Clint Howard, Donny and Marie Osmond, Henry Winkler, Ron Howard, Dudley Moore, Alan Thicke, Denzel Washington, and Andy Garcia.
The residents of Toluca Lake are know to be fiercely loyal and protective of the privacy of their famous neighbors.
How difficult is it to buy a home in Toluca Lake?
Toluca Lake is approximately 1.2 square miles with a population of about 10,000 people. South of Riverside Avenue are older, historical and iconic homes that have been the haunts of Hollywood stars for decades. In and around the lake and golf club the homes do not turn over very often and are therefore harder to come by. North of Riverside Avenue there are condominiums and new construction that are easier to acquire.