Toluca Lake

Toluca Lake

Toluca Lake is situated in the southeastern part of the San Fernando Valley. The area was once known for its peaches, apples, and walnut orchards. Toluca Lake’s name derives from the private natural lake fed by the LA River and maintained by neighboring property owners. What began as a natural spring was transformed into a 6-acre water feature for the future neighborhood. At the start, it was a park-like setting where residents could enjoy the summer. The very first home that was built on the lake shore was on Valley Spring Lane and would later become the home of Amelia Earhart. The waters quickly became surrounded by expensive homes and today the water cannot be accessed by the public. Once Warner Brothers opened their lot in 1928 a mile away, Toluca Lake become a celebrity hotspot. Ronald and Nancy Reagan had their wedding reception there and Bob Hope lived there from the early 1930s until he passed at the age of 100 in 2003. Toluca Lake is also famously known for the burger hotspot, Bob’s Big Boy. It’s an all- American diner that still has antique car shows every Friday night. Today, Toluca Lake serves as a getaway from the hustle and bustle of LA and gives it residents a definite nostalgic feel.