Lake Balboa, Los Angeles, CA
Lake Balboa at a Glance
Lake Balboa is ranked #49 of 104 neighborhoods in Los Angeles with an overall score of 3.1/5. Its standout factors are nearby merchants (4.1/5) and public spaces (4.0/5). It ranks 45th of 104 in Los Angeles for safety. The trade-offs are schools (2.7/5) and curb appeal (3.0/5).
Lake Balboa Reviews & Questions
Lake Balboa is named for the lake at the heart of the Sepulveda Basin, and that open water sets this San Fernando Valley pocket of Los Angeles apart from the denser blocks of Van Nuys next door. The area was part of Van Nuys until the City Council approved the new name in 2007. The homes are mostly postwar single-family houses, one-story ranches and bungalows on regular lots, with apartment buildings closer to Sherman Way and Victory Boulevard. Homes in Lake Balboa tend to sit on quiet grid streets, with the busier commercial frontage kept to the big east-west boulevards. Beilenson Park wraps around the lake itself, filled with reclaimed water from the nearby Tillman plant, and each spring its rows of cherry trees bloom pink along the shore. The Japanese Garden at the Tillman plant sits just across the basin, and the Van Nuys Golf Club on Odessa Avenue offers an easy round inside the neighborhood. Food leans local and casual. at Sherman Way and Balboa Boulevard is the neighborhood coffee hub, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and a full food menu. The Metro G Line has a Balboa station, and its bike path runs through the neighborhood toward Chatsworth. The 405 and 101 are both a short drive. Van Nuys Airport sits on the eastern edge, and jet noise is part of daily life on the closest streets. The lake makes up for it. From most Lake Balboa streets, a lap under the cherry trees takes about as long as a grocery run.
Top Neighborhoods in Los Angeles, CA
Lake Balboa Amenities
Near good merchants4.1
Public Spaces4
Curb Appeal3
Overall Amenities score: 3.6
Lake Balboa Weather
Lake Balboa Photos
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Schools Serving Lake Balboa
| School Name | Type | Grades | Houseberry School Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anatola Avenue Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Bassett Street Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Gault Street Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Lemay Street Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Stagg Street Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Robert Fulton College Preparatory | Middle | 6-12 | |
| William Mulholland Middle | Middle | 6-8 | |
| Northridge Middle | Middle | 6-8 | |
| Northridge Academy High | High | 9-12 | |
| Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences | High | 9-12 |
Click links for school listing
info at GreatSchools.org
Houseberry School Score Data
from CA Dept. of Education
Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.
Lake Balboa FAQs
8 answers
Is Lake Balboa a good place to live?
Lake Balboa ranks 49th of 104 neighborhoods in Los Angeles with an overall Houseberry score of 3.1 out of 5. Its strongest factors are nearby merchants (4.1/5) and public spaces (4.0/5). The trade-offs are schools (2.7/5) and curb appeal (3.0/5).
Is Lake Balboa safe?
Lake Balboa, Los Angeles scores 3.4 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 45th of 104 neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Which schools serve Lake Balboa?
Schools serving Lake Balboa, Los Angeles include Anatola Avenue Elementary (2.4/5), Bassett Street Elementary (2.0/5), Gault Street Elementary (2.3/5), Lemay Street Elementary (3.1/5) and Stagg Street Elementary (3.4/5). 5 more schools are listed in the Schools section on this page.
What is the weather like in Lake Balboa?
Lake Balboa, Los Angeles receives 81% of its possible sunshine, 22nd of 104 in Los Angeles. Summer days run 61° to 89°F and winter days 45° to 68°F, August is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 16 inches a year.
Is Lake Balboa walkable to shops and restaurants?
Lake Balboa, Los Angeles scores 4.1 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 4.0 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 3.6 out of 5, 37th of 104 in Los Angeles.
What is Lake Balboa known for?
Lake Balboa, Los Angeles is associated with Beilenson Park, Cherry Blossoms and Black Heart Coffee. Its highest-scoring factors are nearby merchants (4.1/5) and public spaces (4.0/5).
How does Lake Balboa compare to other Los Angeles neighborhoods?
Lake Balboa ranks 49th of 104 neighborhoods in Los Angeles. It ranks 45th of 104 in Los Angeles for safety (3.4/5) and scores lowest on schools (2.7/5). The highest-ranked neighborhoods in Los Angeles are Mandeville Canyon and Pacific Palisades.
What are the downsides of living in Lake Balboa?
Lake Balboa, Los Angeles scores lowest on schools (2.7/5) and curb appeal (3.0/5).
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