UCLA's location near the 405 Freeway makes parts of the San Fernando Valley a viable alternative to more expensive and densely crowded neighborhoods near campus. About ten percent of UCLA students live in the Valley. The freeway can be a nightmare during rush hour, but at other times it is surprisingly efficient. Furthermore, there are alternative routes to the 405-Sepulveda and Beverly Glen Boulevards and Roscomare Road. Despite its reputation as unending suburbia, parts of the Valley are surprisingly countrylike. Lacking the coastal breezes found south of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Valley tends to get warmer and smoggier than the westside.

South And West Valley Sherman Oaks / Van Nuys. The closest Valley communities to UCLA, are eight miles away, a 20-minute drive without traffic. Located east of the 405, they have many apartments along the major north-south avenues. There are also house and condo shares, guest houses and rooms for rent. Car pools and the RTD #560 Freeway Express are alternatives to driving your own car to campus. Ventura Boulevard is not only the commercial lifeline of the neighborhood, it's the main thoroughfare of the entire south valley. Encino. This exclusive community is west of the 405 Freeway about 12 miles from campus. Many of LA's rich and famous live here, and apartments or condos tend to be expensive. Sometimes students can find a guest house or room for rent. Here, Ventura Boulevard is the Valley version of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. It's fun to window shop even if you can't touch the prices. Just north of Encino is the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, with an eight-mile bike path, golf, tennis, and other recreational facilities. Tarzana. Tarzana is west of Encino, about a half-hour drive, without traffic, from campus. Primarily suburban, most apartments in Tarzana are near Lindley Avenue and Ventura Boulevard. As in most of the Valley, groceries and services are plentiful. Woodland Hills. Woodland Hills is an aptly-named upscale suburban neighborhood 15 miles from UCLA (35-60 minutes via San Diego and Ventura Freeways). Single family homes predominate. Most condominiums and apartments are near Warner Center, a residential business park north of Ventura Freeway. This neighborhood will more likely appeal to staff and faculty than to students. The Ventura Freeway-the only viable route to campus-is typically jammed during rush hour. You can soften the commute by avoiding rush hour or carpooling. Canoga Park. North of the Ventura Freeway and Woodland Hills, Canoga Park is a large suburban neighborhood 18 miles from the campus. It has affluent as well as rundown areas, so drive around to get a sense of the neighborhood. Restaurants and services are adequate in this part of the Valley, but if you want something fancier, try nearby Woodland Hills.

East Valley The commute to campus from Studio City or North Hollywood can be as little as 25 minutes via Laurel Canyon or Beverly Glen Boulevards, but it takes about an hour in traffic. The 405 Freeway, Sepulveda Boulevard, and Roscomare Road are alternative routes but will not shorten travel time much. Studio City. About eight miles from campus, Studio City lies against the hills at the southern edge of the Valley. Single family homes of TV and movie industry employees predominate, but there are many apartment complexes and some UCLA students live here. Small, inexpensive restaurants and shops line Ventura Boulevard. North Hollywood. North Hollywood stretches onto the Valley floor a mile north of Studio City. Students who live here usually own a condo or live with relatives. Along Magnolia Boulevard there are some older, well-kept apartments with large windows and courtyards. Drive through this neighborhood to find housing advertised by signs outside the apartments.