You’ve seen the photos of the pools and that iconic view of the Hollywood sign, but if you’re looking for Oakwood Toluca Hills apartment, you might be slightly confused by what you find online.
Here’s the thing. It’s not actually called Oakwood anymore. A few years back, the massive, sprawling complex sitting on the edge of the Hollywood Hills was rebranded as Avalon Burbank. Despite the name change, people—especially those in the "industry"—still call it Oakwood. It’s a rite of passage. If you move to LA to become an actor, writer, or a grip, you basically end up here at some point. It’s weird, massive, and tucked away in a spot that feels like its own little village.
I’m going to be honest with you. This isn’t your typical luxury apartment review where everything is perfect. Living here is a specific experience. It’s located at 3600 Barham Blvd, right where Burbank hits the Hollywood Hills. You're minutes from Universal Studios and Warner Bros., which is why the place is crawling with people wearing production lanyards.
Why the Oakwood Toluca Hills Apartment Name Stuck
The legacy of this place is huge. For decades, Oakwood was the go-to for "corporate housing." If a studio brought an actor in from London for a three-month shoot, they threw them in an Oakwood. If a family’s house flooded and insurance was paying, they went to Oakwood. This created a revolving door of interesting, temporary neighbors.
When AvalonBay Communities took over, they shifted the focus toward more traditional, long-term leasing. But the soul of the place? That hasn't changed much. It’s still a giant, 1,000-plus unit fortress. It’s a labyrinth. Honestly, you will get lost the first week. Even the delivery drivers hate the layout because finding a specific building among the winding hills and multiple parking garages is like a high-stakes puzzle.
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Location: The Barham Pass Reality
Living at the Oakwood Toluca Hills apartment (or Avalon Burbank) means committing to Barham Boulevard. Barham is the "secret" shortcut between Hollywood and the Valley. Except it’s not a secret. Everyone knows it.
During rush hour, Barham turns into a parking lot. If you’re trying to get to a 9:00 AM meeting at Disney or Warner Bros., you’ve got to time it perfectly. On the flip side, you are literally up the street from the Hollywood Bowl. You can sometimes hear the faint echoes of concerts from your balcony if the wind hits right. That’s the trade-off. You deal with the traffic, but you get to live in a spot that feels remarkably secluded and green compared to the concrete jungle of West Hollywood or Downtown.
The Amenities: Two Different Worlds
Most apartment complexes have a pool. This place has two massive "club" areas. You’ve got the North Club and the South Club. They feel like mid-range resorts.
There are fitness centers that are actually decent—not just a lonely treadmill in a basement. We’re talking full-weight circuits, multiple machines, and enough space that you aren't sweating on a stranger. Then there are the tennis courts. People actually use them here! It’s one of the few places in LA where you can find a consistent pickup game or a coach giving lessons on-site.
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But let’s talk about the "lifestyle" part. Because the complex is so big, it has its own convenience store. The Toluca Hills Market is a lifesaver. Is it overpriced? Yeah, a bit. But when it’s 9:00 PM on a Tuesday and you forgot milk or want a decent bottle of wine without braving the Barham traffic, you’ll be glad it exists. It’s those little details that make it feel less like an apartment and more like a campus.
The Floor Plans and the "View" Tax
The apartments themselves range from studios to two-bedrooms. They aren't the ultra-modern, glass-and-steel boxes you see popping up in Hollywood. They feel like "Classic LA." Think central air (non-negotiable in the Valley heat), decent-sized balconies, and kitchens that have probably been renovated once or twice in the last decade.
- The Studios: Surprisingly livable. They aren't closets.
- The View: This is where they get you. If your unit faces the hills or the city lights, you’re going to pay more. If it faces the interior courtyard or another building? It's cheaper.
- Parking: Usually, you get assigned spots in the garages. If you have two cars, make sure you negotiate that upfront. Street parking on Barham is basically non-existent and a nightmare for guests.
The "Industry" Vibe and Networking
If you’re moving here to work in entertainment, you’re in the right place. This is where the "pilot season" kids used to flock. While that’s changed a bit with the rise of Airbnbs, there is still a high concentration of creatives. You’ll see people rehearsing lines by the pool or editors working on laptops in the common areas.
It’s a social place if you want it to be. If you want to be left alone, the sheer size of the complex makes it easy to disappear.
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What No One Tells You (The Real Talk)
The elevators can be slow. Since the buildings are older, you’ll occasionally deal with maintenance issues like any large complex. And because it’s tucked into the hills, your cell service might be spotty depending on which "leaf" or building you’re in. You absolutely need to check your signal during your tour. Don’t just assume it works.
Also, the mailroom. With over a thousand units, the package situation can be a lot. They use a locker system now, which helps, but during the holidays? It’s chaos. Pure, unadulterated chaos.
Is it Worth It?
If you want a quiet, suburban house vibe, this isn't it. If you want a hyper-modern penthouse, this isn't it either.
The Oakwood Toluca Hills apartment experience is for the person who wants to be "in it" but slightly removed. It’s for the person who works at the studios and wants a five-minute commute (when traffic isn't peaking). It’s for people who want to feel like they live in a park, even if that park happens to have a thousand other people living in it.
Actionable Steps for Potential Renters
- Check the commute at 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Drive Barham Blvd before you sign a lease. If the traffic breaks your spirit, you’ll know immediately.
- Tour the specific unit. Don't just look at the model. Because the complex is built on a hillside, some units are "sunken" and get less light, while others are bright but might face a noisy walkway.
- Ask about the "Avalon Advantage." They have a program where you can transfer your lease to other Avalon properties if you need to move for work, which is a huge plus for freelancers.
- Test the Wi-Fi and Cell Signal. As mentioned, the hills do weird things to LTE and 5G. Make sure you can actually work from home if you need to.
- Look for move-in specials. Because the complex is so large, they almost always have a vacancy or two and often run "weeks free" promotions that aren't always advertised on the front page.
Living here is a specific chapter in many people's Los Angeles stories. It’s convenient, it’s a bit legendary, and it’s probably the closest thing to a "college dorm for adults" you’ll find in the city, in the best way possible.