Northwest District, Burbank, CA

The Northwest District of Burbank is a flat grid of houses and apartments that grew up around the old Lockheed aircraft plant and Hollywood Burbank Airport, and it still carries more of that working history than the shop-lined blocks of Magnolia Park to the south. Homes in the Northwest District are mostly modest single-story houses from the postwar decades on regular lots, many of them remodeled, with apartment complexes along the larger streets. Mature street trees shade a good share of the interior blocks. Valley Park on North Valley Street is the local hub, with playgrounds and the Valley Skate Park, a city-run skate and BMX park. Maple Street Playground is a second option on the west side, and Ralph Foy Park, just across Victory Boulevard, adds a ball field and the LA Kings roller hockey rink. Burbank Boulevard works as the main street, with small owner-run businesses in place of big chains. Buchanan Arms is the neighborhood pub, and San Marco Bakery and Coral Cafe cover breakfast. Dino's Pizza, just over the line in Chandler Park, is known for its lasagna pizza, and the Ugly Mug, also nearby, pours colorful specialty lattes. A Ralphs handles groceries, and the Empire Center's big-box stores are a short drive north. Most trips mean a car, though the flat streets make biking easy. The real downside is jet noise. Even so, Burbank Boulevard keeps a mix of old pubs, bakeries and a working winery that makes a weeknight walk to dinner feel local rather than like a trip into town.