Encino and Woodland Hills are similar in that they’re both upper middle-class, homogeneous communities. Streets are clean and homes well maintained; a number of celebrities reside in these family-oriented neighborhoods that feature modern or Spanish-style architecture.

Most of the single-family homes have three or four bedrooms with single-level floor plans; their prices run higher in Encino than in Woodland Hills. The reason for the difference is that Woodland Hills is not as fully developed as Encino, but that gap will certainly close as growth here continues. The business districts of Encino and Woodland Hills, the bulk of which line Ventura Boulevard and Warner Center, boast the greatest number of banks, savings and loans of any Valley community.

The retail districts are being developed or expended, especially in Woodland Hills, and three large malls -- Topanga Canyon Plaza, Fall Brook Mall and The Promenade Mall -- are within a few blocks of each other; residents can enjoy six golf courses, and there are several parks in the area. The Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area offers 2,000 acres of open space and is popular for hiking, picnicking, biking and paddle boating. The Los Encino’s State Historical Park offers five acres dedicated to the preservation of the area’s history, including a building that is over 150 years old. Public school education is run by the LA Unified School District, 333 South Beaudry Avenue, LA, CA 90017, 213-241-1000; www.lausd.k12.ca.us.

Community resources and information include: Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, 405 Freeway and Victory Blvd., 818-241-1000; www.laparks.org; Los Encino’s State Historic Park, 16756 Moorpark St., 818-784-4849, www.parks.ca.gov; Encino Community Center, Balboa and Ventura Boulevards, 818-995-1690, www.laparks.org; Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park, Huston St.

For more information: www.cityofla.org, www.valleyglen.org, www.encinochamber.org, http://lacounty.info