You’re driving up the 210 freeway, the air starts getting a little thinner, and suddenly the concrete jungle of Los Angeles just... stops. That’s the city of Tujunga CA. Well, technically it's a neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles, but don't tell the locals that. They’ve got their own vibe, their own history, and a chip on their shoulder about being "the forgotten foothills."
Tujunga is weird. I mean that in the best way possible. It’s a place where you’ll see a million-dollar modern glass house perched on a cliff right next to a 1930s stone cabin that looks like a wizard lives in it. Most people think of it as just a pit stop on the way to the Angeles National Forest. They’re wrong.
The Highest Point and the Deepest Roots
If you want to talk about the city of Tujunga CA, you have to start with the dirt. This place sits in the Crescenta Valley, squeezed tight between the Verdugo Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains. It’s actually home to Mount Lukens, which, at 5,074 feet, is the highest point within the entire city limits of Los Angeles.
The name itself comes from the Tongva word Tuhuunga, which roughly translates to "the old woman." It refers to a rock formation that looked like an old lady, but the sentiment is deeper—it’s about Mother Nature. This wasn't just some random suburb; it was an agricultural utopia. Back in the early 1900s, people moved here because the air was so clean it was literally prescribed by doctors for asthma and tuberculosis.
Honestly, the air still feels different here. Cooler. Smelling slightly of sage and mountain dust.
The "Little Landers" Experiment
Ever heard of the "Little Landers"? Probably not. In 1913, a guy named William Smythe started a movement based on the idea that "A little land and a lot of liberty" was the secret to happiness. They built Bolton Hall, a gorgeous stone building on Commerce Avenue that still stands today as a museum. They wanted to prove that you could live off just an acre of land. It didn't quite work out—farming on a rocky hillside is a nightmare—but it left Tujunga with a permanent "do-it-yourself" spirit.
Living in the 91042: Real Talk on Real Estate
Let’s be real: people are looking at Tujunga because they’re priced out of Silver Lake and Eagle Rock. But don't expect a cookie-cutter experience. As of early 2026, the housing market here is a bit of a rollercoaster.
Recent data shows the median sale price in the 91042 zip code hovering around $945,000. That sounds like a lot (because it is), but compared to its neighbors like La Cañada Flintridge—where you're lucky to find a shed for under two million—it’s seen as "affordable."
- Hillside Quirks: You’ll find houses on stilts, houses built into boulders, and streets so narrow you’ll lose a side mirror if you’re not careful.
- The Mix: You might see a 5-bedroom mansion sell for $1.45 million on Pinyon Ave, while a tiny 600-square-foot "fixer-upper" on Summitrose St might go for $325,000.
- Equestrian Life: Tujunga is one of the few places in LA where you can actually own a horse. Seeing someone ride down a residential street isn't a "historical reenactment"—it’s just Tuesday.
Hollywood’s Backlot (Literally)
If the streets look familiar, it’s because Tujunga has been a standby for film crews for a century. The "Chinatown Bridge" (the Foothill Boulevard bridge over the Big Tujunga Creek) is where Jack Nicholson hung out in the 1974 classic Chinatown.
And then there's the house. You know the one. 7121 Lonzo Street. That’s Elliot’s house from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. If you visit, please don't be that person who stands on the lawn. People actually live there.
Christopher Nolan filmed most of Memento in Tujunga. The gritty, sun-bleached look of the neighborhood perfectly matched the movie’s disorienting vibe. More recently, scenes from Sons of Anarchy and Teen Wolf were shot here. Basically, if a director needs a place that looks like "Anywhere, USA" but with dramatic mountains in the background, they head to Tujunga.
The Great Outdoors or Great Danger?
Living in the city of Tujunga CA means accepting a trade-off. You get the Angeles National Forest as your backyard. You get the Tujunga Ponds Wildlife Sanctuary, a 13-acre hidden gem where you can see herons and turtles just a stone's throw from the 210 freeway.
But nature fights back.
Fire is a constant conversation here. The 2009 Station Fire remains a ghost that haunts the hills, having scorched 160,000 acres. Even now in 2026, the Big Tujunga Reservoir Restoration Project is a massive deal for the community. The county is still dealing with the sediment buildup from those fires, and a major project to remove that debris is slated to start vegetation removal in late 2026.
👉 See also: Sunwing Airlines Check In: What Most People Get Wrong About Getting To Your Flight
And then there are the bears.
Yes, actual bears.
They come down from the mountains to raid trash cans.
Local Tip: If you move here, get a bear-proof bin or prepare to have your trash strewn across the driveway by a 400-pound furry neighbor.
Where to Eat if You’re Not a Bear
You won't find many "concept" restaurants with gold-leaf steaks here. It’s more about the staples.
- Corsica Deli: This place is legendary. It’s an Italian deli that’s been around for generations. Get the "Godfather" sandwich and don't ask questions.
- Joselito’s Mexican Food: A local landmark on Foothill Blvd. It’s where the neighborhood councils meet and where you go for a solid margarita after a long hike.
- Back Door Bakery: Kinda tucked away, very charming, and has the best breakfast in the area.
The 2026 Outlook: What’s Changing?
Tujunga is currently caught in a tug-of-war between preservation and progress. The Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council is one of the most active in LA because people here care. They fight hard against over-development.
Right now, the big talk is about the proposed Express Car Wash on Apperson & Foothill—a small thing that has turned into a massive community debate about traffic and the "rural feel" of the town. There’s also the ongoing "Homelessness Counts" initiative, as the neighborhood grapples with the same housing crises as the rest of Los Angeles, though the local terrain makes the logistics here much different.
People move here for the "rural atmosphere," but as more remote workers from the tech and entertainment industries flee the dense city center, that atmosphere is getting harder to maintain.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit (or Move)
If you're planning to spend a day or a lifetime in the city of Tujunga CA, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Weather Twice: It can be 10 degrees hotter or colder than the rest of LA. The "high desert" influence is real.
- Hike Early: Trails like the Big Tujunga Canyon are beautiful but offer zero shade. If you aren't on the trail by 7:00 AM in the summer, you're going to have a bad time.
- Visit Bolton Hall: It’s open on Sundays and Tuesdays. It’s the best way to understand why the houses here look so "handmade."
- Respect the "Wash": The Tujunga Wash is the largest natural floodplain in Southern California. When it rains, it floods. Do not go down there during a storm.
Tujunga isn't for everyone. It’s too quiet for some, too rugged for others. But for the people who live here, it’s the only part of Los Angeles that still feels like California did fifty years ago—wild, a bit stubborn, and incredibly beautiful.
Next Steps:
If you're visiting, start your morning at the Tujunga Ponds Wildlife Sanctuary for a walk, then head to Corsica Deli for lunch. If you're looking to buy, spend a Saturday afternoon driving the narrow streets of Sevenhills to see if you can handle the steep grades and the mountain lifestyle before committing to a mortgage.