Dog Walkers in Lake Balboa

Lake Balboa is located in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California. It is roughly 23 miles from downtown Los Angeles and is largely residential with many single-family homes. However, there are also plenty of greenways in the community as well and some smaller commercial areas. The commercial areas include public and charter schools, Van Nuys Golf Course, restaurants, and supermarkets. There is also a dog groomer and canine trainer in the area for dog owners to visit as needed.

With a rather mild and dry climate, Los Angeles generally has the majority of its rainfall in the winter season. Average temperatures range from 59° - 76°F, so it's the perfect climate for a long walk or a game of fetch in the park without the fear of heat exhaustion! Be sure to take a sweater on your walks, but Los Angeles can get chilly, especially once the sun goes down. 

Balboa Lake does sit on a bit of a hill, as does the rest of the great Los Angeles area! If you are traveling from the northern part to the southern part of the neighborhood, you will experience a slight increase in elevation which can present a little bit of a challenge on your walk. The greenways in the southern part of Balboa Lake have slight elevation as well, so keep that in mind if you and your pup are looking for a short hike through the parks!

This area is largely artificial, given all the residential space. However, Balboa Lake has plenty of natural greenways to balance out the more urban environment. The Japanese Garden and the actual water-filled Lake Balboa help in this regard to keep you from being overwhelmed by urban surroundings. 

Balboa is not a neighborhood with linear boundaries, but the surrounding neighborhoods include Northridge, Sepulveda Basin, Reseda, and the Van Nuys Airport. 

While there aren't too many greenways in Lake Balboa, the three that exist are large and offer so many recreational options to residents and visitors! The parks include Lake Balboa and Anthony C. Beilenson Park, the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, and the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve which all present a plethora of activities to enjoy with your pup at your side. Just remember to obey leash laws in the area.

Within these connected parks, you will find several sports facilities, a Japanese Garden, a golf course, a nature reserve, the actual Lake Balboa and water recreation, a skate park, a lake house, an archery field, and plenty of hiking trails. In the upper northwest corner of the greenway area, you will even find the Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park! The dog park is open from sunrise and sunset and is perfect if your dog needs a little extra excercise one day!