Sepulveda Basin - Downstream of Balboa
This 3-mile walk travels downstream of Balboa Boulevard along a walking/running trail. The natural river bottom features tall trees, and a large bird population. At the walk turnaround point features a small confluence and a view of the Sepulveda Dam.
STARTING POINT
Parking lot on Balboa Boulevard directly south of the L.A. River
DIRECTIONS TO THE START
Bike: Take the Metro Orange Line bikeway. Turn left at Balboa Boulevard and proceed south to the L.A. River.
Transit: Take the Metro Orange Line and exit at Balboa Boulevard and proceed south to the L.A. River. Alternately, take the 236 or 237 Bus on Balboa Boulevard. Disembark at the stop just south of the Los Angeles River (between Burbank Boulevard and Victory Boulevard)
Car: Exit the 405 Freeway at Burbank Boulevard in Van Nuys and go west on Burbank. Turn right on Balboa Boulevard. The starting place for the walk is just before the Balboa Boulevard. Bridge over the L.A. River. Parking is available at the lot on the west side of the street, just south of the L.A. River.
Alternately, exit the 101 Freeway in Encino at Balboa Boulevard, go north on Balboa, and follow the directions above.
WALKING DIRECTIONS
From the parking lot on Balboa, go north to the river. Walk down the concrete bike path, and cross under the Balboa Boulevard Bridge. Where the bike path U-turns back to Balboa, continue downstream. Go through the entrance in the fence on to the wide dirt jogging path along the golf course. Continue walking downstream.
When the path turns to the right, continue straight ahead on the access road. Just before the Burbank Boulevard Bridge, turn left onto a dirt access road. Continue downstream beneath the bridge. Downstream of the bridge foliage has been cleared to maximize river flows. The road becomes somewhat sandy as it peters out at the river's confluence with a small unnamed creek that runs along the Hjelte Sports Center. Check out the view of Sepulveda Dam. Retrace your steps back to Balboa Boulevard.
NEARBY PARKS
Encino Community Center
4935 Balboa Boulevard, Encino, CA 91316-3437
(818) 995-1690
Amenities include a basketball court, two tennis courts, a modern children's play area, picnic tables, barbeques, and the new Tricycle and Wheelchair Track.
Los Encinos State Historic Park
Located at the corner of Balboa and Ventura Boulevard in Encino, California, the park was the hub of Rancho El Encino. This California rancho includes the original nine-room de la Ossa Adobe, the two-story limestone Garnier building, a blacksmith shop, a natural spring, and a pond.
DINING
Springbok Bar & Grill
16153 Victory Boulevard
CA 91406
(818) 988-9786
Xtacy Grill & Cafe
6345 Balboa Boulevard # 180
CA 91316-1515
(818) 708-1314
Taqueria Juanito's
16851 Victory Boulevard # 1
CA 91406-5560
(818) 781-6378
Zankou Chicken
5658 Sepulveda Boulevard # 103
San Fernando Valley, CA 91411
(818) 781-0615