Van Nuys: Find unique gems
Van Nuys hides an incredible mix of retro aviation history, quirky roadside oddities, and deep Valley nostalgia if you know where to look.
Some Highlights of Van Nuys
The Valley Relics Museum
Located on the Lake Balboa/Van Nuys airport border, this is the absolute motherlode of vintage San Fernando Valley culture. It is packed with neon signs, retro BMX bikes, old menus, and classic cars that capture the true “old school” suburban sprawl era.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
One of the world’s busiest general aviation airports, it feels like a time capsule. It has played a starring role in classic Hollywood history—parts of the final scene of Casablanca were filmed here, and it still retains that mid-century aviation buzz.
SuihoEn (The Japanese Garden)
Tucked away next to a water reclamation plant, this stunning, serene garden is an oddity in its own right. Its futuristic-looking administration building famously served as Starfleet Academy in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Mid-Century Modern Architecture
Just driving down Van Nuys Boulevard gives you a look at classic Googie-influenced signage, retro auto shops, and the stately, mid-century Van Nuys Civic Center, which looks straight out of a 1960s detective show.
