Sherman Oaks is a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, founded in 1927. It lies just north of the Santa Monica Mountains, positioned between the Hollywood Hills to the south and the heart of the Valley to the north, and is bordered by Van Nuys and North Hollywood to the north, Bel Air and Beverly Crest to the south, and Encino and Studio City to the west and east. Its location gives it a central position within the greater Los Angeles area. The neighborhood's main artery is Ventura Boulevard, one of the longest commercial corridors in California, which runs roughly 18 miles from Calabasas to Studio City, with about three miles passing through Sherman Oaks. Along and near Ventura Boulevard, the neighborhood's restaurants, shops, and the Sherman Oaks Galleria form a walkable commercial spine. The Galleria, a mixed-use office and retail destination at the intersection of the 101 and 405 freeways, is a landmark of the community. Sherman Oaks is primarily residential beyond its boulevard corridors, known for calm, tree-lined streets and a housing stock that ranges from ranch-style homes to modern mansions, along with mid-rise apartments near the main thoroughfares. This mix, together with its freeway access, has made it popular with families and entertainment-industry professionals who want a suburban feel within the city of Los Angeles. The community is served by Los Angeles Unified School District schools, including Kester Avenue Elementary and the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, along with private school options. Its parks, community centers, and proximity to both the Valley's employment centers and the Westside make it a practical, well-located base within Los Angeles.