When Burbank celebrated its 100th birthday in 2011, the history of the city was commemorated with many exciting events, while a year round tribute to Burbank's place in California's growth is represented daily in the signage for Route 99.
Getting there is easy because Burbank Airport (a people's choice favorite) offers flights to many cities in the U.S. The city also enjoys easy access to the 210 Foothill Freeway, 10 Freeway, and Los Angeles MetroRail and public transportation systems. Located 12 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, Burbank is accessible via the San Diego (405), Hollywood (101), Ventura (134) and Golden State (I-5) freeways. Its altitude: 484 to 957 feet above sea level. Climate is semi-arid with an average maximum summer temperature of 88 degrees and an average annual rainfall of 12.1 inches.
Four of Burbank's best known attractions in Burbarnk are TV shows where people can sit in the audience and watch the program being taped. The Jay Leno Show thejaylenoshow.com; Ellen (DeGeneres) ellen.warnerbros.com; NBC Studio Tours - nbcuniversalstore.com; The Warner Bros. Studios V.I.P. Tour - warnerbros.com are large draws. When you apply for and get tickets to one of these shows, you're guaranteed to see a star or two during your visit to Los Angeles area.
The entertainment industry represents the greatest concentration of non-manufacturing industrial employment. The production facilities of Warner Bros. Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company and NBC/Universal place Burbank in a leading role in the Southern California entertainment industry. Burbank has 700 media- related companies with links to the industry, such as Warner Music Group that signed a 17-year lease for office space and NBC Enterprises in the West Olive Redevelopment Project Area. In addition, Burbank is home to DIC Entertainment, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon Studios. The Walt Disney Company ranks a among the largest employers within the county, and is the top employer in Burbank. Other entertainment companies (ABC Networks, Warner Bros. and NBC/ Universal.
Casablanca starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, shot most of its major scenes on Stage 1 at the Warner Bros. Burbank Studios. It featured a foggy Moroccan runway created on the stage. Bonnie and Clyde movie was also filmed at the Warner Bros. Burbank Studios. The Gary Cooper classic High Noon was filmed on a western street at the Warner Brothers "Ranch", then known as the Columbia Ranch. Three Stooges filming took place at Columbia Ranch, including most the chase scenes. Disney's Mary Poppins was filmed in Burbank at Sound Stage 2 at the Walt Disney Studios. Apollo 13 movie and Coach Carter tv show both used Safari Inn Motel for shooting. Back to the Future filmed the band audition scenes at the Burbank Community Center.
While the entertainment industry is the most notable presence in the city, many don't know that Burbanks is filled with historic buildings. The city actually has a Mills Act program allowing those with unique houses and businesses to receive tax benefits for commitments to fixing their properties.
Some of Burbank's historic buildings
you really out to see during your visit
include:
Burbank City Hall, 275 East Olive
Avenue, designed and built by George W.
Lutzi and William Allen in 1943. City
Hall is notable for its modern/art deco
architecture, which was popular in the
1930s and 1940s. The architecture
celebrates the achievements of
technology and the taming of nature.
Burbank Post Office, 125 East
Olive Avenue
Portal of the Folded Wings,
Valhalla Memorial Park
Bob's Big Boy, 4211 Riverside
Drive, a restaurant built in 1949 by
local residents Scott MacDonald and Ward
Albert. It is the oldest remaining Bob's
Big Boy restaurant in America. There's a
monumental sign, one of the most
prominent features of this yellow and
orange building in the 1940's
streamline modern style.
The Rock House, 902 East Olive
Avenue, was built between 1921 and 1923
and was constructed in the Craftsman
style using indigenous river rocks that
were likely cultivated from the
surrounding landscape including the
nearby Verdugo Mountains. The exteriors
of the house and garages have been
restored to their original condition. As
they stand today, the stone walls,
concrete tile roof, windows, and other
exterior finishes and features are
believed to be the original materials
and configuration of the structures.
Five Points Art, Location: 1075 West Burbank Blvd. (corner of
Burbank Blvd. & Victory Blvd. ) Burbank,
California Monument
featuring Dr. David Burbank, the City's
founding father, is a sculpture designed by
Andrea Favilli, portraying a 10'
bronze statue standing behind a 50'
American flag. The figure rests on a
large pentagon pedestal highlighting
symbolic images of the City's history.
Hardscape and landscaping such as
walkway paths, trees, shrubs, site
furnishings and lighting were integrated
as part of the design. Burbank was named after Dr. David Burbank, who
owned two ranchos to raise sheep in 1867. The New Hampshire
dentist sold portions of the land to Southern Pacific
Railroad and developers who subdivided the property into parcels
for home developments. By
1911, Burbank's 500 citizens incorporated.
Disney Studios and Warner Brothers Studios, you are almost in the Media Capital of the World. To be there, exit the freeway and begin exploring sunny Burbank.
Burbank is where many of your
favorite TV shows are taped. See The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Ellen
Show and other hit TV programs, in
person. Take a tour of Warner Bros. and
NBC studios. Shop at cool boutiques and
dine in great restaurants.
The City that's home to Disney and
legendary Downtown Burbank is also just
a hop, skip & jump from all the best
that the Los Angeles region has to
offer… fabulous beaches, ski resorts and
golf courses. Catch a Dodgers or Lakers
game. Or take in a performance at the
Starlight Bowl, Hollywood Bowl or one of
the many other amazing entertainment
venues.
Burbank Districts
Downtown Burbank: Home is where the
heart is and downtown Burbank has a lot
of heart & soul. Home to eclectic shops,
great dining, entertainment and events
throughout the year, one event actually
takes it to the street. The annual
Downtown Burbank Arts Festival is a
geared towards kids and adults.
downtown-burbank.org
Magnolia Park Area:
magnoliaparkburbank.org
Shopping
Burbank Town Center:
burbanktowncenter.com
Downtown Burbank:
downtown-burbank.org
Burbank Empire Center:
zelman.com/properties/burbank.php
Other Points of Interest and Outdoor
Activities
Starlight Bowl:
starlightbowl.com
DeBell Golf Course:
debellgolf.com/site_index.php
American Animated Film Society Museum:
asifa-hollywood.org
Colony Theater:
colonytheatre.org