Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Guide

Sherman Oaks is a San Fernando Valley neighborhood known for Ventura Boulevard shopping and dining and easy access to the Westside.

This guide gives renters a general overview of Sherman Oaks: what daily life is like, how people get around and what to look for in an apartment. Neighborhood conditions change, so visit at different times of day and talk to residents before you sign a lease.

Living in Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks has a mix of apartment-lined streets, single-family neighborhoods and hillside homes south of Ventura Boulevard. Ventura Boulevard offers restaurants, shops and services, and the Sherman Oaks Galleria is a local landmark.

Getting around

Sherman Oaks sits at the junction of the 405 and 101 freeways. Metro buses serve Ventura and Van Nuys Boulevards, and the Metro G Line busway runs to the north.

Things to do nearby

• Dining on Ventura Boulevard
• Sherman Oaks Galleria
• Hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains
• Local parks

Housing and renting

Apartments are common north of Ventura Boulevard. Many older units are covered by the City of Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance.

For official information on tenant protections and housing programs, see City of Los Angeles housing information. California’s statewide rules, including limits on rent increases and just-cause eviction protections for many units, may also apply. The California Courts’ landlord and tenant self-help pages are a helpful starting point.

Apartment hunting checklist for Sherman Oaks

• Visit the block in the evening and on a weekend to check noise and parking.
• Time your commute during rush hour, by car and by transit.
• Ask whether parking, laundry and utilities are included.
• Ask whether the unit is covered by rent stabilization or a state rent cap.
• Check cell reception and internet providers available at the address.
• Look for natural light, storage and air conditioning, which matters during hot summer days in much of Los Angeles County.
• Never send money for a unit you have not seen in person.

Related guides

• Sherman oaks studio city guide
• How to find an apartment
• Apartment moving checklist
• Rent affordability calculator