Many newcomers to Los Angeles tend to experience a bit of a learning curve when they first move to the city, especially when it comes to figuring out different neighborhoods, major streets, and the overall geography of the city. When locals casually mention growing up in The Valley, a newcomer might have no idea whether they’re referring to the San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Valley, or even the Pomona Valley (by the way, the term refers to the San Fernando Valley). 

Both San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley are their own separate counties with their own cities. As if it weren’t already confusing, both counties even border each other, offering residents easy access to Downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena. Both feature scenic mountain views, and even have their own lakes and basins. Despite sharing these similarities, there are still many factors that set them apart from each other.

Here are three key differences between San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley.

Location

When you’re looking at a map of Los Angeles County, you’ll see that San Fernando Valley sits towards the north of LA. Many cities in San Fernando Valley are appealing to potential homebuyers because they offer a convenient location, close to the amenities in LA without the exorbitant westside home prices.

It also offers easy access to Ventura County, which is popular for recreational activities, such as going to the beach or hiking. For many UCLA students, living in San Fernando Valley is often a more affordable option that’s also close to campus.

Some popular cities in San Fernando Valley include Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, and Valley Village. 

Meanwhile, to LA’s eastside sits the San Gabriel Valley, which includes well-known cities such as Arcadia, Monterey Park, West Covina, and Alhambra. Residents living in this county have easy access to Orange County and the Inland Empire. The San Gabriel Valley is great for homebuyers who often commute to Los Angeles’ eastside. 

While some San Gabriel Valley neighborhoods, for instance San Marino, are among the most exclusive neighborhoods around LA, homebuyers can find a wide range of home prices in the area—depending on which city they’re looking at.

Ruled by Different Industries

While San Fernando Valley has developed tremendously throughout the years, many people often connect it to entertainment, television, and film studios.

While the San Fernando Valley was once known as the “porn capital of the world,” in recent years, the county has seen its fair share of development. Not only are there new residences, mom-and-pop boutiques, trendy bars, and up-and-coming eateries, but San Fernando Valley’s previously “low rents” and home prices are actually much higher now and similar to those found in LA.

On another note, when locals think about the San Gabriel Valley, they think dim sum, dumplings, pastries, bubble tea, or even seafood. San Gabriel Valley is known by locals and visitors as a foodie paradise as well as the best place to find authentic Asian cuisine. While Los Angeles features one of the best Koreatowns in the nation, San Gabriel Valley provides visitors with a more neighborly and small-town feel.

There are also several specialty grocery marts located in San Gabriel Valley that attract people to town, such as 99 Ranch Market, Arcadia Korean Market, or Shun Fat Supermarket.

Types of Homes

In the San Fernando Valley, homebuyers can head towards Canoga Park to find a great deal on a home, or if they want to live in luxury, they can head towards the burgeoning Studio City or Toluca Lake. 

In the San Gabriel Valley, El Monte offers the most affordable home prices, while San Marino is touted as one of the richest cities in the nation. 

However, these areas differ when it comes to the types of homes available to homebuyers. In the San Fernando Valley, homes are mostly mid-century modern and California ranch-style homes. In the main drags, neighborhoods tend to be denser than San Gabriel Valley, and they feature condominium and apartment buildings.

In the San Gabriel Valley, communities are more spread out. There are many Spanish-style homes, with a majority of residential dwellings being single-family homes. This aspect has been changing though, and the county has been trying to activate the community in recent years. The new and recently sold out community Arroyo Walk in San Gabriel is one of the first residential developments to open in the city that offers the live-work-play lifestyle and environment.