Burbank is far more than just TV show tapings and movie studio tours. The San Fernando Valley city stretches from Griffith Park to the Verdugo Mountains, with worthwhile restaurants, bars and shops in between. At Burbank’s hearts are two of its most walkable areas: the tree-lined downtown district along San Fernando Boulevard, as well as the eclectic Magnolia Boulevard. We’ve put together a list of what to look out for in both!

Drinks & Dining

Let’s start off with the can’t-miss restaurants – and there are so many that we don’t have time to list them all. First and foremost is Porto’s. One visit to this Cuban family-owned bakery, which started as a modest cake business in Echo Park in the 1980s, and you’ll be making excuses week after week to come back for fresh-out-of-the-oven cheese rolls, decadent fruit tortes and pies, authentic Cuban sandwiches and flaky chicken empanadas. In fact, we love Porto’s so much that we’re serving it to our residents every Saturday and Sunday!

Then, of course, there’s Bob’s Big Boy. This Burbank standby built in 1949—it’s the oldest surviving Bob’s Big Boy location comes with a colossal neon sign and familiar, rotund Big Boy. Breakfast is available all day at Big Boy’s—just be sure to ask for the special breakfast menu if it’s not already on your table—and the burger, which comes dressed with just the right amount of ketchup, relish and mayo, is a standout lunch option.

And shops! So many shops! Want comics? Check out House of Secrets on Olive. Want vinyl? Check out Atomic Records. Want horror? Check out Dark Delicacies.

Things to Do

Looking for something to do? Check out the Portal of the Folded Wings Shrine to Aviation. This ornate domed arch started out in 1924 as the grand entrance to the Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery, though noise from the neighboring airport (now Bob Hope Airport) ultimately redirected traffic to the other side of the cemetery. Since 1953, the portal has served as a mausoleum and memorial to early aviation pioneers, including a plaque dedicated to Amelia Earhart and a model of the Space Shuttle Columbia.

You should also check out the Burbank Farmer’s Market. It may be on the smaller side, but quality still thrives here. Held in a sizeable parking lot at the corner of Glenoaks Boulevard and Olive Avenue, all of the produce offered is certified California grown.

We could go on – and on and on – but we just wanted to give you a brief taster. Check out what Burbank has and we’ll be back with more blogs and more highlights of this amazing town we call home!

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