Burbank
Burbank is a city of about 100,000 at the eastern end of the San Fernando Valley, home to Warner Bros., Walt Disney Studios and Hollywood Burbank Airport, with a walkable downtown and the Verdugo Mountains rising behind it. Here's what to know whether you're visiting or thinking of moving, with full drives so you can see the streets for yourself.
Last updated November 2026 · Sources
At a glance
- Part of
- Its own city in LA County, at the east end of the San Fernando Valley
- Population
- About 103,500 (2024 Census estimate)
- Founded
- 1887, incorporated as a city in 1911
- ZIP codes
- 91501 to 91506
- Main streets
- Olive Avenue, San Fernando Boulevard, Magnolia Boulevard and Riverside Drive
- Freeways
- I-5 through the middle of the city, SR-134 along the south
A short history
- A sheep ranch
The city is named after David Burbank, a dentist who started a sheep ranch here in 1867. Lots for the townsite went on sale in 1887, and Burbank incorporated as a city on July 8, 1911.
- Airplanes
Lockheed built aircraft in Burbank from the 1920s, and United Airport opened in 1930. It later became Lockheed Air Terminal and is now Hollywood Burbank Airport. During World War II, Lockheed's Burbank plants built warplanes for the Allies, with the factory hidden under camouflage.
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- The studios arrive
First National Pictures built a studio on Olive Avenue in the 1920s, and Warner Bros. took it over and moved its production there. In 1940, Walt Disney used profits from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to build a new studio on Buena Vista Street.
- Media Capital of the World
Burbank bills itself as the Media Capital of the World. Warner Bros. and The Walt Disney Company are headquartered here, and Lockheed's Skunk Works, which built the U-2 spy plane, was based at the airport.
Burbank today
- Downtown Burbank, around San Fernando Boulevard, is a walkable district of shops, restaurants and movie theaters.
- The Media District, near Olive Avenue and Riverside Drive, is where the studio lots and their office towers sit.
- Most streets are flat and laid out in a grid, mainly single-family homes, with apartments closer to the main boulevards.
- The Verdugo Mountains rise right behind the city, with trails and fire roads above the northeast neighborhoods.
From the driver's seat
Our Burbank drive is the studio side of the Valley: wide, flat boulevards past Universal and the Warner Bros. lot, then the walkable blocks of Downtown Burbank. For the hills, the Griffith Park sunset drive comes over from Los Feliz and drops into Burbank on the Valley side.
If you're visiting
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Guided tours of the working backlot and soundstages, in Burbank despite the name.
- Downtown Burbank
A walkable stretch of shops, restaurants and theaters around San Fernando Boulevard.
- Bob's Big Boy on Riverside Drive
Built in 1949, the oldest remaining Bob's Big Boy in the country, with classic cars filling the lot on Friday nights.
- Universal Studios Hollywood
The theme park and studio tram tour, just over the line in Universal City.
- The Verdugo Mountains
Hiking trails and fire roads with views over the Valley and toward Downtown LA.
- Book the Warner Bros. tour ahead, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Hollywood Burbank Airport is a smaller alternative to LAX, close to the studios and Hollywood.
Getting there: Driving is easiest. Metrolink stops in Downtown Burbank and at the airport, and the Metro B Line ends in nearby North Hollywood.
Preview it: Burbank: Universal, Warner Bros. and Downtown BurbankHours, prices and seasons change, so check before you go.
Tours and tickets
- Warner Bros. Studio TourGetYourGuideViator
The working backlot and soundstages, right in Burbank.
- Universal Studios HollywoodGetYourGuideViator
Theme park plus the studio tram tour, next door in Universal City.
- Hollywood Sign toursGetYourGuideViator
Guided routes to the best sign views, a short drive over the hills.
These are affiliate links: if you book, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the drives coming. Both sites let you compare prices and reviews, and many listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. Planning a whole trip? See Plan your trip.
If you're moving here
Cost snapshot
Figures are area-wide estimates from listing sites and change monthly. Check current listings before you decide.
Getting around
Burbank is easiest with a car, and the 5 and the 134 run through it. Metrolink trains stop in Downtown Burbank and at the airport, BurbankBus runs local routes, and the Metro B Line is a short ride away in North Hollywood. Hollywood Burbank Airport sits inside the city, a smaller alternative to LAX.
Need Burbank on film for work?
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Watch it: drives through Burbank
2 drives
No. 01313:48Griffith Park at Sunset: Los Feliz to Burbank
No. 02422:23Burbank: Universal, Warner Bros. and Downtown Burbank
Short drives nearby
All shortsNext door
Quick answers
Where is Burbank?
Burbank is a city of about 100,000 at the eastern end of the San Fernando Valley, home to Warner Bros., Walt Disney Studios and Hollywood Burbank Airport, with a walkable downtown and the Verdugo Mountains rising behind it.
What is the population of Burbank?
Burbank has a population of about 103,500 (2024 Census estimate).
What is there to do in Burbank?
Top things to see include Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Downtown Burbank, Bob's Big Boy on Riverside Drive, Universal Studios Hollywood and The Verdugo Mountains.
How do you get around Burbank?
Burbank is easiest with a car, and the 5 and the 134 run through it. Metrolink trains stop in Downtown Burbank and at the airport, BurbankBus runs local routes, and the Metro B Line is a short ride away in North Hollywood. Hollywood Burbank Airport sits inside the city, a smaller alternative to LAX.
How much does it cost to live in Burbank?
Typical home value: $1.19M (Zillow, June 2026). Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,199/mo (Trulia, May 2026).
Can I see what Burbank looks like before I visit or move?
Yes. Somewhere Drive has 2 full 4K drives through Burbank with no narration, including Griffith Park at Sunset: Los Feliz to Burbank.
Sources
- Burbank, California (Wikipedia)
- Burbank population estimates (U.S. Census QuickFacts)
- From Cantaloupes to Blockbusters (Burbank Historical Society)
- Exploring Burbank (Eric Brightwell)
- Bob's Big Boy (LA Conservancy)
- Burbank home values (Zillow)
- Burbank rent trends (Trulia)
This guide describes places, streets and history, not who lives here. Spot an error? Email hello@somewheredrive.com.
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