Travel across the San Fernando Valley with the Metro Rapid Ventura Boulevard. Get to the sights and sounds of Universal Studios theme park and Universal City Walk! Head over to the Laurel Canyon area for CBS Studios and cultural landmarks such as Art's Deli.
Find your way to Coldwater Canyon for the Sportsmen’s Lodge, a Hollywood cultural icon, and the wonderful Warner Center. And you can't forget Main Street Canoga Park! (This tour includes the Main Street Canoga Park tour.)
To get to the start of the tour:
Use the Metro Trip Planner
Important Note: Please make sure to always check times and schedules for transportation, destinations and events.
This tour includes the following stops:
Universal Studios
Ventura/Laurel Canyon
Ventura/Coldwater Canyon
Main Street Canoga Park
Universal City Station (Metro Red Line) Exit the Universal City Metro station and follow the signs to Universal Studios Hollywood.
There's no place better to start the day, than at 
Universal Studios Hollywood (100 Universal City Plaza; 818/508-9600). The world's largest movie and television studio, make sure to take the Studio Tour to visit the backlot and home of Universal Pictures. You will pass sound stages where The Scorpion King, Jurassic Park, The Hulk and many other movies were filmed. Just next door to the Park, shop, dine and enjoy evening nightlife along Universal City Walk.
Continue tour by catching the #750 Ventura Rapid Bus.
Ventura/Laurel Canyon (Metro Rapid Ventura)
From the bus stop, walk east long Ventura to CBS Studio Center.
Home to some of televisions most popular shows, CBS Studio Center (4024 Radford Ave.; 818/665-5000) is the home to such productions as "Will & Grace," "The Bernie Mac Show," and the daytime drama series "Passions." Even though the lot is not open for public tours, contact Audiences Unlimited at 818/753-3470 for a current taping schedule and tickets.
Walk west on Ventura Boulevard.
Find something for everyone at 
Robotoys (12023 Ventura Blvd.; 818/769-5563), from remote controlled cars as small as a matchbook to voice command robots.
Walk west on Ventura Boulevard.
Owned by Captain Krik's daughter, Melanie Shatner, 
Dari (12184 Ventura Blvd.; 818/762-3274) is a favorite for local clientele and Hollywood celebrities. A true LA boutique, Dari carries lines from Mark Jacobs, Juicy and local designers such as Chrisi Conoway.
Walk west on Ventura Boulevard.
A local landmark, 
Art's Deli (12224 Ventura Blvd.; 818/762-1221) is a great spot to grab lunch and try one of their many original creations.
Continue tour by catching the Metro Rapid Ventura west to Coldwater Canyon.
Ventura/Coldwater Canyon (Metro Rapid Ventura)
As you depart the bus, proceed to the Sportsman Lodge Hotel, located on the corner.
Once a set of man-made lakes on the site that is now the Sportsmen's Lodge, Hollywood legends like Clark Gable would sit at the end of a small pier that was adjacent to the then restaurant as far back as 1946. Over the years, celebrities and sports stars would congregate at the restaurant as the entertainment industry produced television and motion pictures in the nearby studios. Today, the Sportsman Lodge Hotel (12825 Ventura Blvd.; 818/769-4700) is a Hollywood tradition, serving as a second home to many of the top names in the entertainment business. Motion pictures and television shows are occasionally shot here, and some of the regular guests include recording stars such as Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, The Eagles, Michael MacDonald, and Tricia Yearwood.
Walk east on Ventura Boulevard.
Try one of the signature dishes at Risotto (12650 Ventura Blvd.; 818/761-7600).
Walk west on Ventura Boulevard.
Superchef and restaurateur Joachim Splichal has opened Pinots from Orange County to Vegas. The oldest, and still the best, Pinot Bistro (12969 Ventura Blvd.; 818/990-0500), offers a little bit of Paris while you're still in LA. Just a few blocks west on Ventura, Le Petit Bistro (13360 Ventura Blvd.; 818/501-7999) is a modest alternative for great French cuisine.
Walk west on Ventura Boulevard.
For true California fusion, experience a Cal-Asian menu at 
Max (13355 Ventura Blvd.; 818/784-2915).
Re-board the Ventura Rapid bus at Coldwater Canyon Avenue. Take the bus to the end of the line, Warner Center.
To get to the start of the tour:
Use the Metro Trip Planner
Important Note: Please make sure to always check times and schedules for transportation, destinations and events.
Warner Center Bus Depot (Metro Rapid Ventura)
Take the Ventura Rapid bus line to the end of the line. From the Warner Center bus depot, walk 1/2 block north on Owensmouth to the 21st Century Plaza Sculpture Garden.
Before you explore Main Street Canoga Park, take a second to view the 21st Century Plaza Sculpture Garden (6301 Owensmouth). The garden features a monumental sculpture by regional artists on a rotating schedule.
Topanga Canyon/Sherman Way (Metro Bus # 150)
Catch the #150 Metro Bus northbound at Topanga Canyon and Victory boulevards to Sherman Way. Depart the bus at Sherman Way and proceed east towards Owensmouth Avenue.
Proceed to Antique Row (primarily Sherman Way between Owensmouth and Canoga Avenues). The street itself is composed of the original "syndicated block," that represented the community at the terminus of the Pacific Electric Red Car line. For much of the twentieth century, this section of Sherman Way was the business center of the West San Fernando Valley. Today, Main Street Canoga Park is a member of the National Main Street and California Main Street Programs, and is one of the premier destinations for bargain hunters. The shops here are filled with curiosities, including everything from jewelry to beautiful furniture. With over sixteen antique dealers within a four block radius, plan to browse for some time.
From Sherman Way, proceed to Owensmouth Avenue and head north.
Need a dose of history? Visit the Canoga Park-Owensmouth Historical Society and Museum (7248 Owensmouth Ave.; 818/340-3696). The museum is located in the Canoga Park Community Center, which was converted from one of the first fire stations in the San Fernando Valley. The museum contains many pieces of memorabilia and photographs documenting the early history of the San Fernando Valley, particularly the evolution of a small railroad stop named "Owensmouth" into today's Canoga Park. The town was originally called "Owensmouth" because of its alleged proximity to the southern end of the Owens River Aqueduct (a land speculator's exaggeration, the real terminus is near Sylmar.) Call ahead for hours.
Return to Sherman Way. Proceed to Remmet Avenue and head north.
Located in a 1928 mission style building that once served as the first operator assisted phone company in the San Fernando Valley, the Canoga Park Youth Arts Center (7222 Remmet Ave.; 818/346-7099), a facility of the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, offers classes in the visual arts for youth 6-17 years of age and a gallery for exhibitions. Don’t miss out, all classes offered are affordable.
Return to Sherman Way.
Specializing in original works by local artists, the Canoga Park Art Gallery (21620 Sherman Way;818/340-9453) compliments a community that presents only the best in culture. Stop in and view their latest show, or purchase a work and get it framed.
Exhibiting the rotating series, "Drawing a New Map" curated by the Art Art Gallery located at 20200 Sherman Way, contemporary masters and emerging painters are displayed throughout the upper and lower floors of the Madrid Theater (21622 Sherman Way). For exhibit information, please call 818/227-9663.
In the community of Canoga Park, several great performance venues promise a delightful experience: The Madrid Theater (21622 Sherman Way; 818/347-9419); the 
Main Street Performing Arts Studio (21616 Sherman Way; 818/598-0135); and just one block north on Owensmouth Avenue from Sherman Way, the 
Woodland Hills Community Theater at the West Valley Playhouse (7242 Owensmouth Ave.; 818/884-1907). Call ahead for a schedule of performances.
