The NOHO Arts District is a vibrant and creative neighborhood in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, known for its thriving arts and entertainment scene.
Watch my video walking tour of NOHO on YouTube
The NOHO Arts District extends from Magnolia Blvd to Chandler Blvd off Lankershim Blvd and also includes part of the Chandler Bike Path, a 3-mile walking/biking trail that encompasses North Hollywood and Burbank.
If you walk along the bike path east of Lankershim, you will find street art and murals painted by local artists that depict the neighborhood and the entertainment industry.
The NOHO Arts District is a mini theater district with several small Equity Waiver theatres and the larger El Portal Theatre built in 1926 as a vaudeville theatre. It is now used for performances and events.
Acting classes, recording studios, art galleries, coffeehouses, restaurants, bars, and unusual boutiques are dotted along the street and in the nearby area.
The Television Academy
On the East side of Lankershim Blvd is The Television Academy where entertainment notables vote on the Emmy Awards. Membership is open to active members of the television community sponsored by other members.
The compound includes the 600-seat state-of-the-art Saban Media Center theater, and the Hall of Fame garden where over 100 statues and busts of Hall of Fame celebrities and entertainment honorees.
The garden is open to the public and is a lovely place to stroll.
North Hollywood Metro Station
The main L.A. Metro hub is in the NOHO Arts District. Travelers can take the Metro G Line (formerly the Orange Line) bus from Chatsworth or Canoga bus stop near the Topanga Mall to North Hollywood. They can board the B Line (formerly the Red Line) that ends at Union Station. Connections and transfers can take them to various locations in Los Angeles and beyond.
Historic buildings and places of interest in the NOHO Arts District
In addition to the El Portal Theater, there are other points of interest in NOHO. Signposts line the streets providing the history of the area with photos.
Southern Pacific – Pacific Electric Station
Across from the bus station is an old building, now a coffeehouse, that was built in 1893 and was called the Lankershim Depot. It has been used as a station stop for the Southern Pacific Railroad and later for the Pacific Electric Red Car Line.
Phil’s Diner
The old Phil’s Diner was built in 1926. It was located next to the Lankershim Train Depot on Chandler and was the oldest dining car in California. The diner was moved to 5230 Lankershim Blvd in 2011 next to the Television Academy and has been a series of restaurants. At present it is Bruxie’s. You can still see the Phil’s Diner wordage on the side of the building.
Lofts at NOHO Commons
The lofts at NOHO Commons is an apartment complex painted by muralist Thierry Noir with a cartoonlike motif. It stands out in an area where even office buildings are colorful.
First National Bank Building
This ornate brick building was built in 1926 as a bank. For several years it was a bar and restaurant called The Federal that is now closed.
Sadly, the NOHO Arts District took a hit during COVID but it is coming back and is thriving again.
If you are in the San Fernando Valley near North Hollywood, visit the NOHO Arts District.
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