Along the edge of Los Angeles at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains you’ll find the neighborhood of Woodland Hills. The community blends laid-back Topanga vibes and classic valley character with a growing economic center. Woodland Hills is home to a plethora of shopping, restaurants, and funky local spots, plus the high rise office buildings and hotels of Warner Center. Here we’ll cover a few places that are technically in Canoga Park as well, because as with all valley neighborhoods, the borders aren’t particularly clear. So, onward we go — here’s where to eat, drink, shop, and play in Woodland Hills and Canoga Park.
FOOD AND DRINK
The number of places to eat in this area is kind of absurd. While there are about a million restaurants in Woodland Hills and Canoga Park, we’ve narrowed it down to a handful notable favorites (and will add more as we continue to explore the area). While there are good spots to eat at the Topanga mall and village, we’re not including any mall eateries or chain restaurants in this section.
& Waffles
& Waffles is a great local breakfast spot with breakfast burritos and other breakfast staples in addition to the famed waffles. Located along Ventura Boulevard near De Soto/Serrania (they have another location in North Hollywood as well).
Anantra Thai
Tucked away in a shopping center on Ventura Boulevard is Anantra Thai. They have amazing food perfect to satisfy your Thai food cravings. Keep in mind that they can get busy, so takeout orders can take a while during peak times (but worth it if you’ve got the time).
Blinkies
Every Los Angeles neighborhood needs its donut shop — Blinkies is ours. Stop in for classic donuts (and bring cash).
Cavaretta’s Italian Deli
Up in Canoga Park off Topanga and Sherman Way is Cavaretta’s. A local institution since 1959, Cavaretta’s is the spot for all Italian deli needs in Canoga Park.
Cricca’s Italian Deli
Next on the classic Italian deli list is Cricca’s down in Woodland Hills off Topanga and Dumetz. Cricca’s has been in this location since 1969 and still serves up all the local favorites.
Follow Your Heart
Speaking of local institutions, Follow Your Heart has been a beloved valley landmark for decades. FYH opened in 1970 and has grown into a local natural foods market and cafe with their brand of plant-based foods in stores nationwide. Whether or not you’re into plant-based foods, you have to give FYH a try (they do use dairy cheese by request with some recipes in the cafe if you’re not comfortable making the leap into non-dairy cheese). I’ve been making trips to Follow Your Heart since I got my driver’s license (in, like, 2004), so it’s been a favorite of mine for many years. Don’t miss it!
GASOLINA Cafe
Gasolina Cafe is a well-known local eatery that serves Spanish dishes. You’ll find it on the boulevard at the corner of Comercio Lane.
H.O.M Italian Eatery
H.O.M. is an Italian restaurant serving up homemade pizza and pasta and is located just a few doors down from Gasolina.
Leo and Lily
Located farther west down the boulevard near Shop Ave is Leo and Lily. Leo and Lily is a great local breakfast and lunch spot serving Mediterranean-style dishes.
Local Peasant
The Local Peasant, which has another location in Sherman Oaks, is a great spot for upscale bar food and drinks. This location at the western end of Woodland Hills along the boulevard has a nice big patio too!
The Tasting Room at 8one8 Brewing
For delicious valley-themed brews in this part of town, look no further than 8one8 Brewing! They’ve got a tasting room up De Soto (nearly in Chatsworth, but still technically Canoga Park) and you can grab their beers at some local shops as well.
White Harte Pub
The White Harte is a fun British pub also along the boulevard in the western area of the neighborhood. Here you’ll find delicious draft beers and pub food!
SHOPPING
Shopping in Woodland Hills/Canoga Park is dominated by Westfield Topanga & The Village. However, there are smaller shopping centers, stand-alone shops, and local markets that are worth checking out as well! Here’s the rundown of a few places to check out.
The Native Spirit Lodge
Located along Ventura Boulevard near Shoup Avenue, The Native Spirit Lodge is the place for Native American crafts. The shop has a wide variety of crystals, jewelry, books, and other items.
Next Chapter Books
Not far from FYH on Sherman Way you’ll find Next Chapter Books. The local, family owned bookshop is full of used books, including all genres and rare titles. It’s a perfect place for book-lovers to wander and find some treasures.
Topanga Mall and The Village
Westfield Topanga & The Village is essentially one shopping complex that runs along Topanga Canyon Boulevard from Erwin Street up to Vanowen Street. It includes the newer outdoor Village and the older (though continually being updated) indoor Mall. The Village is smaller and has some nice shops, like REI, as well as a lot of restaurants (Eureka is a good one). The Mall is more traditional — it’s got a whole lot of shopping and a food court. It’s the go-to shopping area for the west San Fernando Valley.
Topanga Vintage Market
Brimming with local art, vintage items, and antiques, the Topanga Vintage Market is a great LA flea market. The market typically takes place on the fourth Sunday of the month, but check the website to confirm dates and hours. It’s a wonderful place to support local artists and find something unique!
Valley Country Market
Valley Country Market is a small strip mall tucked away on Ventura Boulevard near De Soto Avenue. It’s got a handful of cute boutiques as well as some great cafes and restaurants, like Lodge Bread Co. and Blue Bottle Coffee.
PARKS
Costanso Fire Station 84 Park
This themed park has a playground that looks like a big fire truck. While it’s somewhat tucked away a block away from Ventura Boulevard, the area does get quite busy.
Serrania Park
Serrania Park is a hilly outdoor space with walking trails and a playground. Located tucked back in the hills south of the boulevard.
Warner Center Park
Warner Center Park is located along Topanga Canyon Boulevard, not far from the area’s corporate center and transit hub. The park has a children’s play area and large grassy area. Its main draw, though, is the variety of local events — concerts, movie screenings, festivals, and 4th of July fireworks all happen here, mostly during the summer. If Woodland Hills had a town square, this would be it.
Woodland Hills Recreation Center / Shoup Park
Shoup Park and the local rec center are located off Shoup Avenue near Oxnard Street. It’s a nice big area with playgrounds, sports fields, and a hiking trail.
FESTIVE AND HISTORICAL PLACES
Candy Cane Lane
“Candy Cane Lane” is a residential street where locals go all out with their holiday decorations and visitors can cruise slowly down the street and enjoy the festivity. Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills is located on Lubau Avenue, starting near the intersection of Lubau Avenue and Oxnard Street. The tradition began in the early 1950s and has been a local holiday highlight ever since. Some say the decorations aren’t as great as they used to be, and last year did seem more muted due to covid and crowd concerns, so it’s unclear how it will be this year. Please keep in mind that this is a residential area and it can get very crowded, so be respectful of the homeowners and other visitors. The decorations typically go up in early December and are lit up until 10:00 PM on weekdays and 11:00 PM on weekends. Enjoy and happy holidays!
Pierce College and Old Trapper’s Lodge
Los Angeles Pierce College has been an important community place since it opened in the 1940s. It has hosted beloved holiday events, housed evacuated locals during disasters, and educated generations of students. It is also home to a state historical landmark called the Old Trapper’s Lodge. The Old Trapper’s Lodge is a folk art environment that showcases the work of artist John Ehn (1897-1981). The sculptures were installed in 1985 and represent stories of life in the Old West.
Seasonal events
At the older section of the Westfield Promenade, around Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Oxnard Street, a variety of seasonal events pop up throughout the year. In the fall, “Haunt-o-ween” rises; in the winter, an ice skating rink comes to town. Throughout the year, other events come through as well, like “The World’s Biggest Bounce Park” and various carnivals.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are a variety of hotels, inns, and short-term vacation rentals available around Woodland Hills. Perhaps the most notable are the Hilton Woodland Hills/Los Angeles and the Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills. Both are located near the mall and Warner Center.
TRANSPORTATION
Warner Center serves as a transit hub, so there are perhaps more public transportation options in Woodland Hills than other areas of the valley. The Orange Line busway (also known as the G Line) has stops in the Warner Center area. The Orange Line, which has its own bus lane through the valley, so it doesn’t get stuck in traffic, connects to the North Hollywood Metro station. In addition to the Orange Line, a number of local buses have routes around Woodland Hills as well. As with most areas of Los Angeles, though, the fastest way to get around is by car.
They may be at the far end of the city on the edge of the valley — but there’s plenty to explore in Woodland Hills and Canoga Park. We’ll continue updating as we explore further. Cheers!
