Burbank sits at the southeastern corner of the San Fernando Valley, bordered by the Verdugo Mountains to the east and Griffith Park to the south. Hollywood Burbank Airport makes it one of the most accessible neighborhoods in greater Los Angeles. Whether you live here or you are visiting for the weekend, this guide covers 20 activities you will not find on any studio lot.
In This Guide
- Magnolia Park Vintage Shopping
- Porto's Bakery
- Wildwood Canyon Park
- Stough Canyon Nature Center
- Downtown Burbank on San Fernando Blvd
- Flappers Comedy Club
- Tony's Darts Away
- Brews Brothers Brewpub
- Story Tavern
- The Blue Room
- It's A Wrap
- LA Kings Ice at Pickwick Gardens
- Exit Artists Escape Rooms
- AMC Burbank 16 and IMAX
- Chandler Bikeway
- Burbank Farmers Market
- Burbank Town Center
- Burbank Aviation Museum
- Trustworthy Brewing Co.
- Hollywood Burbank Airport Area
Shopping and Culture
Magnolia Park Vintage Shopping District
Magnolia Park is Burbank's retro heartbeat. This walkable stretch of Magnolia Blvd is lined with vintage clothing stores, artisan gift shops, record stores, and quirky boutiques. Playclothes Vintage carries pieces from the 1920s through the 1990s, including vintage wedding dresses. Junk For Joy is an LA landmark for costumes and vintage finds. Pinup Girl Boutique offers size-inclusive retro fashion. The neighborhood also hosts the Magnolia Park Vintage Flea Market throughout the year, with vendors filling lots along the boulevard from 11 AM to 5 PM.
It's A Wrap Production Wardrobe Sales
Want to own a shirt actually worn on a TV set? It's A Wrap picks up wardrobe and props directly from major studio productions and independent films, then sells them to the public. Every item is tagged with the name of the show or movie it came from. You might find a jacket from a Netflix drama or shoes from a network sitcom. The inventory rotates constantly as new productions wrap, so no two visits are the same.
Burbank Town Center
This three-level indoor mall anchored by Macy's offers over 100 retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Round1 Bowling and Amusement is a family favorite with bowling lanes, arcade games, karaoke rooms, and billiards. The open-air plaza section connects to additional shops and restaurants. The mall sits right off the I-5 freeway, making it easy to reach from anywhere in the Valley.
Food and Drink
Porto's Bakery and Cafe
Porto's is not just a bakery. It is a Burbank institution. Founded by Rosa Porto, a Cuban immigrant, this family-run operation draws lines around the block for its cheese rolls, guava and cheese pastries (pastelitos), potato balls, and Cuban sandwiches. The Burbank location on Magnolia Blvd is the original and still the most popular. The full menu includes cakes, croissants, muffins, meat pies, and tamales. Online ordering is available for those who want to skip the line.
Tony's Darts Away
This Magnolia Park neighborhood beer bar pours 50 California-only craft beers on draft, all served from a draught system designed to minimize environmental impact. The kitchen is heavily vegan-friendly, with both vegan and non-vegan versions of creative sausages, maple-drenched sweet potato fries, and weekend brunch. Bar games and billiards round out the experience. Every tap features a California brewery, making this a showcase for the state's best craft producers.
Brews Brothers Brewpub
Built by brothers Billie and Joey in collaboration with some of California's most respected brewers, Brews Brothers brews small-batch beers on site. The taproom has a relaxed, industrial feel with communal tables. Their rotating lineup includes IPAs, lagers, stouts, and seasonal specials. The food menu leans into hearty pub fare that pairs well with whatever is on tap.
Trustworthy Brewing Co. (Formerly Verdugo West)
Formerly known as Verdugo West Brewing Company, this rebranded taproom pours 12 taps of house-brewed beer including pilsners, lagers, IPAs, stouts, and witbiers. The cozy taproom sits in a quieter pocket of Burbank away from the main strips, giving it a neighborhood-local atmosphere that regulars appreciate. They often rotate seasonal brews, so the lineup changes throughout the year.
Burbank Certified Farmers Market
Every Saturday morning, the parking lot at Olive and Glenoaks transforms into a certified farmers market. Local growers sell seasonal produce, fresh flowers, honey, baked goods, and specialty foods. The market accepts EBT and WIC, making farm-fresh food accessible to all Burbank residents. Street parking is available on surrounding blocks, and additional parking can be found in the City Hall lot on Third and Orange Grove.
Love Burbank? Find Your Home Here
Browse active listings in Burbank and surrounding neighborhoods. Updated daily.
Outdoor Adventures
Wildwood Canyon Park
Tucked into the Verdugo Mountains on Burbank's eastern edge, Wildwood Canyon Park delivers real hiking just minutes from downtown. The Wildwood Canyon Loop is a 2-mile moderate trail that takes about 75 minutes and rewards hikers with panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley. For a serious challenge, the Vital Link Trail climbs 1,275 feet in just 1.5 miles. The park has free parking, picnic tables, restrooms, and a water fountain at the trailhead.
Stough Canyon Nature Center
Also nestled in the Verdugo Mountains, Stough Canyon combines hiking with environmental education. The nature center features exhibits on local wildlife, flora, and fauna, plus regularly scheduled nature hikes led by docents. The trails are open from dawn to dusk and offer a slightly gentler introduction to Burbank's mountain terrain compared to Wildwood Canyon. The center is run by the City of Burbank Parks and Recreation department.
Chandler Bikeway
This 3-mile paved path follows the old Pacific Electric Railway right-of-way through the heart of Burbank into North Hollywood. The route has separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, painted clearly on the pavement. Trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds line the path, making it feel more like a park corridor than a city sidewalk. You can connect to the North Hollywood Metro Red Line station at the eastern end, and the route runs through several Burbank neighborhoods with coffee shops and restaurants just steps off the trail.
Nightlife and Entertainment
Downtown Burbank on San Fernando Blvd
Downtown Burbank stretches along San Fernando Blvd and surrounding blocks, with over 600 shops and restaurants packed into a walkable district. Lively outdoor patios spill onto the sidewalks. Granville (121 N San Fernando Blvd) serves seasonal American fare in a warm setting. Urban Press Winery (316 N San Fernando Blvd) offers wine flights in a tasting room just blocks from the movie theaters. On warm evenings, the entire boulevard takes on a European sidewalk-cafe atmosphere that draws crowds from across the Valley.
Flappers Comedy Club and Restaurant
Flappers has been a Burbank staple for live comedy, hosting rising stars and touring headliners in multiple rooms. The 200-seat Mainroom books national touring acts, while the 50-seat Yoo Hoo Room showcases newer talent and experimental shows. A bar and patio area with smaller performance stages round out the space. The venue also operates as a full restaurant, so you can have dinner before the show without leaving the building.
Story Tavern
With 40 beers on tap, a large wine and cider selection, and creative twists on bar staples, Story Tavern anchors the downtown Burbank nightlife scene. The game room features shuffleboard, board games, and plenty of space for groups. Live music nights add energy on weekends. The interior blends rustic-industrial decor with comfortable seating that works for both a casual date night and a group outing with friends.
The Blue Room
Mixing dive bar energy with 1950s flair, The Blue Room is a late-night local favorite that has appeared in several films, including Memento. The jukebox keeps the crowd moving most nights, and Tuesday evenings bring live music to the small stage. The atmosphere is low-key, old-school, and refreshingly unpretentious. If you are looking for a Burbank bar that feels like it has been there forever, this is it.
AMC Burbank 16 and IMAX
Located in the heart of Downtown Burbank, the AMC Burbank 16 is one of the most popular theaters in the San Fernando Valley. The IMAX auditorium draws moviegoers from across Los Angeles for major releases. In-theater dining options, recliner seating, and a central location surrounded by restaurants make it easy to build an entire evening around a movie. The theater is walking distance from Story Tavern, Granville, and dozens of other dining spots on San Fernando Blvd.
Family Fun
LA Kings Ice at Pickwick Gardens
Originally opened in 1961, the Pickwick ice rink is now operated by the Los Angeles Kings. Public skating sessions run Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with rental skates included in the $22 admission ($18 if reserved online in advance). The rink is part of the larger Pickwick Gardens complex on Riverside Drive. It is one of the few year-round ice skating venues in the San Fernando Valley, making it a go-to for families, date nights, and birthday parties.
Exit Artists Escape Rooms
One of the earliest escape room brands to open in Burbank, Exit Artists designs immersive experiences with original storylines and handcrafted puzzles. Their rooms work for groups of friends, corporate team-building, and families with kids. Free street parking is available right in front of the main entrance on Victory Blvd. Hours extend late on weekends (until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays), making it a strong alternative to a traditional night out.
Burbank Aviation Museum (Portal of the Folded Wings)
This 75-foot-tall shrine to aviation sits inside Valhalla Memorial Park and honors Burbank's deep roots in the aerospace industry. The Portal of the Folded Wings is a National Register of Historic Places landmark and serves as the final resting place for fifteen aviation pioneers. The small museum features exhibits on early flight, Lockheed's Burbank history, and the city's role in shaping American aviation. Admission is free.
Airport Convenience for Travelers
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
If you are flying into Southern California, Hollywood Burbank Airport is one of the best-kept secrets for travelers visiting the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Glendale, or downtown LA. The airport sits just three miles from downtown Burbank, and its compact layout means you can typically arrive one hour before your flight (compared to two hours at LAX). Direct Metrolink rail service connects to downtown Los Angeles via the Burbank Airport-North and Burbank Airport-South stations. Rideshare pickup is adjacent to the terminal. For travelers who plan to explore Burbank's dining, shopping, and nightlife, you can be at Porto's Bakery or Downtown Burbank within 10 minutes of landing.
What's Your Burbank Home Worth?
The Burbank market stays competitive thanks to walkability, studio proximity, and airport access. Get a free, no-obligation home valuation.
Get Your Free Home ValuationFrequently Asked Questions About Burbank
Ready to Call Burbank Home?
Search homes for sale in Burbank and neighboring cities. New listings added daily.
