Dusted in movie magic
The Granada Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles is a hot area for buyers looking good schools and a relative bargain. “The most attractive aspects of this area are the school system and the value it offers,” says Compass agent Alan Taylor, who was born and raised in The Valley and is a fourth-generation real estate professional. “Granada Hills North is in the foothills of the Santa Susana Mountains, so hiking and biking are big here.” Dusted with movie magic, the tree-lined stretch of White Oak Avenue is a classic slice of Americana that was made famous in the bicycle scene of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” in 1982. The 100 historic deodar cedars were planted in the 1930s and declared a historic-cultural monument in 1966.
Hot market and diverse homes
The real estate market in Granada Hills is highly competitive due to a more reasonable price point than some of the surrounding areas. Supply doesn’t come close to meeting demand, so buyers must be motivated. “Compared to places like Encino and Sherman Oaks to the south, this is an area that is all about value,” Taylor says. “You’ve got a nice suburban community here, and home values are significantly less than further south in the Valley.” Most of the homes in the neighborhood were built in the 1950s and ‘60s, with a heavy emphasis on the post-war ranch. There are also pockets of two-story tract homes and architect-designed midcentury moderns. “Most of the lots here are going to be under a quarter of an acre,” says Keith Geller, a broker with the Realty Network. Single-family homes, typically with three to four bedrooms, are priced from about $700,000 to just over $1 million. Larger and newer homes can go for $1 million to $2 million. Condos, townhouses, and apartments are available as well. Prices start at around $500,000 for a two-bedroom condo unit and go up to $700,000 for a four-bedroom townhouse.
High-performing public schools
Families with children in Granada Hills are served by the Los Angeles Unified Public School District, an above-average urban district with a B-plus grade from Niche. Kids can start their education at Danube Avenue Elementary, an above average school with a B grade from Niche. Students then advance to George K. Porter Middle, another walkable community school graded B-plus. Granada Hills Charter now includes kindergarten through 12th grade and is one of the largest independent charter schools in the country, with almost 6,000 students milling around the Zelzah main campus and the Devonshire campus. Graded A-plus by Niche, Granada Hills Charter is one of the best schools in the state of California. “It’s known as the school that produced [NFL Hall-of-Famer] John Elway, but it’s even more known for its academics,” Taylor says. GHC won a record ninth U.S. Academic Decathlon in 2022, again garnering national recognition.
Many outdoor amenities
One of the advantages of living in Southern California is the outdoor lifestyle it provides, and Granada Hills has a lot of amenities. The neighborhood recreation center and park includes a gym, sports facilities and a robust playground with sunshades. Aliso Canyon connects to the network of trails and parks that run through the neighboring Porter Ranch area. For a more advanced workout with higher inclines, O’Melveny Park is the second largest park in Los Angeles. There are fantastic mountain views and miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails that can be followed deep into the Santa Susana range. Golf enthusiasts come together at Knollwood Country Club, which promotes social play, classes and events. The fields off Rinaldi Street are used for practice and games for the Granada Hills Little League.
Diverse shopping and dining
Many residents of Granada Hills travel outside the neighborhood for shopping and dining opportunities, but there is a robust business district centrally located at the intersection of San Fernado Mission and Balboa boulevards. For stocking up on groceries and essentials, there is a Target and a Trader Joe’s right across the street. The Island Pacific Seafood Market is a grocery store specializing in Filipino items like meat, seafood and produce. House Roots Coffee is a local venue that has polished Starbucks vibes without the baggage of the national chain. And there's a diverse array of excellent dining options like popular Lebanese lunch spot Furn Saj Restaurant & Bakery or cozy ramen and poke shop EnJoy. If you like dining with gorgeous tableside valley views, Odyssey Restaurant's farm-to-table venue is the perfect place.
Events
The Granada Hills Street Faire is held every October. It has a car show, many live performances and lots of food and craft vendors.
Getting around Granada Hills
The neighborhood has two distinct areas – Granada Hills North and Granada Hills South, which are cut in two by the 118 Freeway. The 101, 210, 405 and I-5 all run through or around the area, making it a great area for people commuting the 25 miles south to Los Angeles. Granada Hills is about 12 miles northwest of the Hollywood Burbank Airport and approximately 10 miles south of Santa Clarita. “There is a relaxed vibe here compared to areas further south,” Taylor says. “You’re going to get much more congestion and traffic in a place like Studio City.” There are a couple of bus lines that run through the neighborhood, which connect to Metrolink Stations, providing access to greater LA.
Low levels of violent crime
In terms of crime and safety, Granada Hills has a CAP Index score of two (out of 10) for violent crime, compared to four nationally, making it twice as safe as your average neighborhood. Property crimes happen at a higher rate, on par with the national average.
