Featured image credit: JGKlein
If you’ve been keeping up with our Neighborhood Watch series, you might get a taste of déjà vu from today’s focal point. But we assure you, Encino has its own distinct flavor, regardless of bordering both Reseda and Sherman Oaks, which we’ve previously covered. We didn’t mean to scrutinize so much of the San Fernando Valley so soon. But it’s just like they say: once you get into the Valley, it’s hard to leave. This neighborhood is one of the most welcoming gateways to the Valley, with Encino homes for sale tending to be more readily available to buyers than houses in neighboring communities.
That Distinct Encino Flavor
If you’re familiarity with Encino relies solely on the 1992 cinematic masterpiece Encino Man, we’ve got some good news and some bad news. First: the likelihood of meeting an attractive thawed-out caveman around Encino Commons is slim. The good news is that Encino is a fantastic neighborhood for purchasing a home… and it’s not even close to the most competitive area we serve.
The name “Encino” is derived from a butchered attempt to bring masculinity to the Spanish word “Encina” which describes a specific type of oak tree. Until 1998, Encino was home to a colossal oak tree that had stood in its place for well over 1,000 years. Some have even posited it was the neighborhood’s namesake. However, 1998’s violent El Niño storm system felled the ancient oak. Today, the stump remains revered at the cross street of Ventura and Louise.
Competition for Encino Homes for Sale
Since Encino is a neighborhood as opposed to its own municipality, it can be a bit challenging to gauge the area’s precise population. In 2022, estimates put Encino’s population at 53,155, though a modern assessment puts the current number as high as over 60,000. In short, though it’s not the most coveted of the neighborhoods we serve, you’ll still find some competition for Encino homes for sale.
However, you need only look at our monthly absorption rate analysis to see that Encino is frequently the lowest absorption rate on our list, indicating that conditions in Encino are more favorable to home buyers. While most of the Greater Los Angeles area is heavily mired in a seller’s market with the odds drastically favoring sellers, Encino often visits the buyer’s market. Does it mean it’s not a competitive market? Not necessarily. But it should still be an encouraging sign for prospective homeowners considering Encino homes for sale.
As Convenient as Valley Living Gets
Other than the Santa Monica Mountains to the south, Encino is bordered by other communities of the San Fernando Valley due to its central positioning. Tarzana stands to the west, with Sherman Oaks bookending the neighborhood to the east. You’ll find Reseda and Lake Balboa to the north, as well as the considerably sized Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. And finally, portions of Encino’s south side are bordered by Brentwood.
Getting around Encino is fairly simple thanks to its position between two major freeways. The 101 (or Hollywood Freeway) and the 405 (Interstate 405) handily connect Encino to Southern California’s sprawling and complex freeway system, allowing Encino residents easy access to the airport or Downtown LA, depending on traffic conditions. While 405 congestion can be a nightmare, its benefits outweigh its challenges for the average Encino commuter.
For the car-less few, Metro’s G Line (formerly known as the Orange Line) conveniently passes through Encino with stations at Balboa, Woodley, and Sepulveda. Metro bus routes also meander through the neighborhood, along with alternatives provided by the DASH system and portions of LADOT’s Commuter Express system. In short, transportation shouldn’t bar you from your pursuit of Encino homes for sale.
A Great Neighborhood for Families
It’s also tough to get an accurate estimate of Encino’s crime statistics, but the general consensus places it as an overall safe area of the Valley. While its crime rate is frequently measured as higher than the national average by anywhere from 19% to 38%, it actually has consistently lower violent crime than the country as a whole by as much as 22%.
Its public schools are part of the larger Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). It’s also home to two private schools ranked in the state’s top 10: Harvard-Westlake School and Windward School.
Like so many Los Angeles area neighborhoods, few Encino residents feel the need to work close to home. However, if you’re interested in working in Encino, there are plenty of opportunities in the medical and financial industries. Otherwise, let the 101 and the 405 be your guide.
Shopping Opportunities Around Encino
If you’ve resisted the charms of solely shopping online, you’ll find Encino still offers several promising options when it comes to old-school brick-and-mortar bargain hunting. Encino Commons is probably the most iconic choice. In fact, the shopping strip that runs up a bustling point of Ventura Boulevard is frequently the default iconography people lean on for a visual of the Encino community. Its popularity earned it the nickname of “The Valley’s Miracle Mile.”
If you’re more in the market for essentials, Encino Marketplace is a convenient solution that does the trick nicely. And if you’re committed to shopping at strictly locally-owned businesses, then Ventura Boulevard Boutiques can accommodate with a collection of shops offering distinct commodities.
Getting out Into the Encino Community
But nothing brings a community together quite like its parks system, and Encino excels with numerous ways to stay out, about, and active. For cyclists, the Encino Velodrome offers a looping bike track that has been serving its community since the early 1960s. It’s not quite CicLAvia, but still not a bad way to get your laps in.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more scenic, try the bike paths at Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area at the neighborhood’s northern border. Besides its lovely bike trails, this park boasts a multitude of recreational fields and courses, including baseball diamonds, soccer fields, golf courses, tennis courts, and even a central lake wreathed in thousands of pink cloud cherry blossoms.
By comparison, Encino Park is a much more bare-bones affair, but still reliably provides basketball and tennis courts as well as a children’s play area. If you’d prefer an even more sports-focused experience, Balboa Sports Complex has you covered with a plethora of attractions, including:
- Baseball Diamond
- Basketball Courts
- Children’s Playground
- Community Center
- Football Field
- Gymnasium
- Handball Court
- Soccer Field
- Tennis Court (frequently used for Pickleball)
- Volleyball Court
More Community Amenities Around Encino
Encino recognizes that dogs need exercise, too, so the community reserves a nearly seven-acre stretch of land for the Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park. Tiny dogs will enjoy a dedicated half-acre area, and everyone will enjoy a picnic area (where leashes are required). Now you can get your dog to help you in your search for Encino homes for sale!
If you’re curious about the culture and history of Encino but still want to enjoy that California sunshine, head over to Los Encino State Historic Park. This sprawling park inspires the imagination with a modest museum, a nine-room historic adobe home, the equally historic Garnier building, an authentic blacksmith’s workshop, and a tranquil pond with nearby natural springs on the grounds.
Finally, pulling together the sense of community rooted in Encino, the Sepulveda Garden Center presents a 16-acre stretch of land harboring 420 community garden plots. It’s a fantastic opportunity to flex your green thumb while picking up some pointers from your neighbors. And with Encino’s round-the-year sunshine, it’s always a good time to start growing.
Starting Your Pursuit of Encino Homes for Sale
Despite all of these attractions and benefits, the search for Encino homes for sale is among the least competitive in the Valley. But you still need to hit the market with a plan. If you’re thinking of buying your first house or even your next house in Encino, then reach out to one of our knowledgeable real estate agents today.
With a brand that says as much as JohnHart’s, Senior Copywriter Seth Styles never finds himself at a loss for words. Responsible for maintaining the voice of the company, he spends each day drafting marketing materials, blogs, bios, and agent resources that speak from the company’s collective mind and Hart… errr, heart.
Having spent over a decade in creative roles across a variety of industries, Seth brings with him vast experience in SEO practices, digital marketing, and all manner of professional writing with particular strength in blogging, content creation, and brand building. Gratitude, passion, and sincerity remain core tenets of his unwavering work ethic. The landscape of the industry changes daily, paralleling JohnHart’s efforts to {re}define real estate, but Seth works to maintain the company’s consistent message while offering both agents and clients a new echelon of service.
When not preserving the JohnHart essence in stirring copy, Seth puts his efforts into writing and illustrating an ongoing series entitled The Death of Romance. In addition, he adores spending quality time with his girlfriend and Romeo (his long-haired chihuahua mix), watching ‘70s and ‘80s horror movies, and reading (with a particular penchant for Victorian horror novels and authors Yukio Mishima and Bret Easton Ellis). He also occasionally records music as the vocalist and songwriter for his glam rock band, Peppermint Pumpkin.
