Encino, which means “evergreen oak,” has been home to the rich and famous throughout its history. Among the high-profile entertainers who have lived here are John Wayne, Clark Gable, W.C. Fields, Houdini, Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler, Spencer Tracey, Dinah Shore, Mary Astor, Jack Webb, Margaret O’Brien, Shirely MacLaine, Cher and Michael Jackson. Honorary mayors have included residents Dick Van Dyke, Bob Barker, Steve Allen and Gary Owens. And that’s just the tip of an overwhelming iceberg.

Encino is located almost in the center of the San Fernando Valley’s southern boundary. The community has a population of about 40,700 with a little over 18,000 households. The median age is 43 and about 19 percent of the population is 65 and older. About half the population has a bachelor’s degree or higher and there are approximately 9,300 students enrolled in its schools. Close to 22,000 residents are in the labor force and the median income is $91,475. The average value of a house is close to $650,000.

Some popular areas of Encino include Royal Oaks (and a gated area called The Royal Oaks Colony), Amestoy Estates, Rancho Estates, The Hills of Encino Area (Hayvenhurst area), Lake Encino, Encino Woods, Encino Village and Encino Park.

The boundaries of Encino are: Victory Blvd. on the north, Mulholland Dr. on the south, Lindley on the west, and the San Diego Freeway on the east.

Recreational opportunities abound in Encino including fishing and boating, hiking, jogging, bicyling, golf, and tours of a Japanese garden and a state Park.

The Encino Velodrome is located at Oxnard and Louise. There are bike paths in the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area and Lake Balboa.

Anthony C. Beilenson Park is an 80 acre water recreation facility within the Sepulveda Flood Control basin. The centerpiece of the park, Lake Balboa, is a 27 acre lake. Recreational activities include fishing, boating, remote-control boating and jogging/walking.