Lake Balboa

A pleasant man-made lake with a little waterfall and a tiny creek flowing out of the lake. Enjoy boating and bike surrey rentals, fishing, playgrounds, picnic areas, with a place for biking, skateboarding, and rollerblading as well. Find the creek that runs from the lake and empties into the L.A. River. Kids can float things down the creek, then retrieve them further downstream.

STARTING POINT

6300 Balboa Boulevard, Van Nuys, CA. (818) 756-9743.

DIRECTIONS TO THE START

CAR: Take the Burbank Exit off the 405 Freeway. Head west down Burbank Boulevard. Make a right on Balboa. Continue down until reaching Balboa Park.

TRANSIT: Take the Orange Line to Balboa Station. Walk south until reaching Balboa Park entrance.

NEARBY PARKS

Sepulveda Basin Recreation Center A gorgeous, spacious area with multiple parks, ample facilities, bike paths and one of the few soft-bottom sections of the river.

DINING

Taqueria Juanito's

16851 Victory Boulevard # 1

CA 91406-5560

(818) 781-6378

Xtacy Grill and Cafe

6345 Balboa Boulevard #180

Encino, CA 91316-1515

(818) 708-1314