818 Day Celebrated In San Fernando Valley

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass visited businesses in the San Fernando Valley Monday in celebration of 818 Day, an annual tribute to the region and its contributions to the city.

Bass stopped in Studio City for a visit at Art's Delicatessen & Restaurant, and a trip to Licorice Pizza Records. In the afternoon, she the mayor joined Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez and community members in Sylmar to unveil the neighborhoods latest mural, featuring women leaders who have shaped Los Angeles history.

"The San Fernando Valley's vibrant neighborhoods, commercial centers, parks, restaurants and small businesses make Los Angeles the great city that it is," Bass said in a statement. "818 Day is an opportunity to highlight all that makes the Valley so special."

Bass said the city has made "great strides" in supporting Valley neighborhoods and will continue to build on that work.

Bass' office noted the her signature program Inside Safe conducted more than 24 operations in areas including Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, Canoga Park, North Hollywood, Chatsworth, Sun Valley, Reseda, Granada Hills and Arleta, with more than 750 unhoused residents moved to temporary housing.

Additionally, the city launched a new all-electric DASH bus route, serving the Pacoima area, which stops at sites such as the Panorama Mall, Arleta High School and Ritchie Valens Recreation Center. LA Metro and the city also partnered to make major G (Orange) Line improvements to improve public transportation, as well as enhance bike paths along the way.

During her visit at Art's Deli, the mayor also met with the city's Valley Advisory Board, which consists of former elected officials who represented the San Fernando Valley, business and community leaders.

The Valley is expected host competitions during the 2028 Summer Olympic Games alongside venues in downtown and Venice.

Rodriguez — who represents the Seventh Council District, encompassing neighborhoods in the northeastern region of the Valley — in an email response to City News Service said 818 Day is a chance to celebrate the people, businesses and communities that comprise the San Fernando Valley.

"The Valley has always been an important part of our economic engine for Los Angeles, and our neighborhoods are as vibrant and diverse as any other part of the city," Rodriguez added. "This day gives people an opportunity to discover and take pride and expose others to the arts, foods, and attractions that proudly call the 818 home."

Most of the San Fernando Valley is within the jurisdiction of Los Angeles with a few incorporated cities located within such as Burbank and San Fernando. Mulholland Drive runs along the ridgeline of the Santa Monica Mountains, which serves as a boundary between the valley and Hollywood, as well as West Los Angeles.

Los Angeles annexed the San Fernando Valley in 1915, allowing the city to expand significantly and expand water resources via the L.A. Aqueduct.

"I love the Valley's strong sense of community, history and resilience — no one can take the heat like an 818'er! I also love how the Valley blends cultures and traditions in a way that feels uniquely ours. The food, the family-owned shops, the arts, they all reflect the diversity of the people who call the Valley home," Rodriguez said in an email.

From east to west, residents can visit a myriad of neighborhoods with their own attractions and charm: Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Granada Hills, Northridge, Reseda, Encino, Ventura, Lake Balboa, North Hills, Sylmar, Pacoima, Sun Valley, North Hollywood, Studio City, and others.

"In my district, I'd highlight Hansen Dam, a unique gem in the Valley that offers activities for the entire family — everything from equestrian trails, to kayaking, hiking, our poolside movie nights, and recently added paddle boats to the Discovery Cube," Rodriguez said in her email.

The councilwoman noted that her district is home to some of the largest murals in the city, from Van Nuys Mural Mile to the largest murals that transformed San Fernando Road.

"They tell the story of our community's heritage and history," Rodriguez added. "And of course, our small business that give you that small- town feel with personal attention — supporting them is one of the beset ways to celebrate 818 Day," Rodriguez said.

City Councilman John Lee — who represents the Twelfth Council District, encompassing northwestern neighborhoods in the valley such as Northridge, Chatsworth and Granada Hills — echoed his colleague's sentiments.

"From world-class performances at The Soraya, to small businesses that wear Valley pride on their sleeve like Deadly Wax, to hidden gems like the Cowboy Palace Saloon, there's no shortage of reasons to celebrate the San Fernando Valley," Lee said in a statement. "Today is about honoring the people and places that make the 818 truly special."

City News Service