Sherman Oaks is home to the most congested freeway interchange in the nation—the intersection of the 405 and 101 freeways. Local surface streets have been unable to provide relief because of a lengthy Caltrans project intended to improve the connections and on-ramps. We remain dubious. Our advice: avoid the whole ugly mess. Get on the 405 at either Burbank Boulevard or Valley Vista, and avoid the 101 altogether during anything approximating a rush hour.

Nightlife

• Blue Dog Beer Tavern • 4524 Saugus Ave
818-990-2583
Lotsa CA craft beers.

Restaurants

• Blue Dog Beer Tavern • 4524 Saugus Ave
818-990-2583 •
Get the Chi Chi burger then call the doctor.

• California Chicken Café • 15601 Ventura Blvd
818-789-8056 • $
Cheap and fresh chicken in every way on every day.

• Delmonico’s Steak & Lobster House •
16358 Ventura Blvd
818-986-0777 • $$$$$
Upscale seafood.

• Katsu-Ya • 16542 Ventura Blvd
818-788-2396 • $$$
Yummy raw fish.

• Marmalade Café • 14910 Ventura Blvd
818-905-8872 • $$
Salads and other CA cuisine.

• Mel’s Drive-In • 14846 Ventura Blvd
818-990-6357 • $
Upscale diner chain.

• Midori Sushi • 13905 Ventura Blvd
818-789-1188 • $$$
Pig out on the surprisingly good AYCE sushi.

• Panzanella • 14928 Ventura Blvd
818-784-4400 • $$$$$
Higher-end Italian.

Shopping

• Buffalo Exchange • 14621 Ventura Blvd
818-783-3420
Revolving door of used clothing. Buy, sell, trade.

• Cost Plus World Market • 15201 Ventura Blvd
818-205-9620
An “everything” superstore.

• Culver City Home Brewing Supply •
4358 Sepulveda Blvd
310-397-3453
Literally everything you need to brew beer.

• Drum Connection • 4846 Libbit Ave
818-788-5550
Percussion!

• Karen’s Toys • 16101 Ventura Blvd
818-906-2212
Independent toy store.

• The Massage Place • 16350 Ventura Blvd
818-986-9333
Sounds creepy, but isn’t. Won’t kill the wallet.

• Party City • 14735 Ventura Blvd
818-981-0099
Discount party supplies.

• Samy’s Camera • 4411 Sepulveda Blvd
310-450-4551
The only place to go to for cameras in LA.

• Second Spin • 14564 Ventura Blvd
818-986-6866
Reasonably priced used CDs.

• Sherman Oaks Galleria • 15301 Ventura Blvd
818-382-4100
Take refuge from the Valley & shop like you’re in LA.