This 3 mile walk travels downstream of Balboa Blvd 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 Blvd directly south of the LA River

 

Directions to the Start

Bike: Take the Metro Orange Line bikeway. Turn left at Balboa Blvd. and proceed south to the LA River.

 Transit: Take the Metro Orange Line and exit at Balboa Blvd. and proceed south to the LA River. Alternately, take the 236 or 237 Bus on Balboa Blvd. Disembark at the stop just south of the Los Angeles River (between Burbank Blvd. and Victory Blvd.)

 Car: Exit the 405 Freeway at Burbank Blvd in Van Nuys and go west on Burbank. Turn right on Balboa Blvd. The starting place for the walk is just before the Balboa Blvd. Bridge over the LA River. Parking is available at the lot on the west side of the street, just south of the LA River.

Alternately, exit the 101 Freeway in Encino at Balboa Blvd., go north on Balboa, and follow the directions above.

 

Walk Directions

From the parking lot on Balboa, go north to the river. Walk down the concrete bike path, and cross under the Balboa Blvd. 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 Blvd 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 Blvd.

Parks

 Encino Community Center - 4935 Balboa Blvd, Encino, CA 91316-3437 (818) 995-1690

 Los Encinos State Historic Park

Nearby Dining 

Taqueria Juanito's

16851 Victory Blvd # 1

CA 91406-5560

(818) 781-6378

 

Xtacy Grill & Cafe

6345 Balboa Blvd # 180

CA 91316-1515

(818) 708-1314

 

Zankou Chicken

5658 Sepulveda Blvd # 103

San Fernando Valley, CA 91411

(818) 781-0615

 

Springbok Bar & Grill

16153 Victory Boulevard

CA 91406

(818) 988-9786

 

Denny's

5525 N Sepulveda Blvd

Sherman Oaks, CA 91411

(818) 787-0700