Burbank, California is located at the far Eastern border of the San Fernando Valley, near the Western border of the San Gabriel Valley.  Burbank became most famous in the last four decades or so, when the city was often referred to in a joking manner as “Beautiful Downtown Burbank” on various television shows such as Laugh-In and Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show.

Its founder was Dr. David Burbank, who in 1867 purchased 4,600 acres from a land grant held by Don Jose Maria Verdugo and an additional 4,600 acres from Rancho La Providencia, both former Spanish land grants.  Dr. Burbank was a successful sheep rancher for many years.  Burbank was incorporated as a city in 1911. 

By the 1930s, the city was already home to the aircraft and film industries.  Burbank’s airport was considered to be one of the foremost commercial airports in the area, eclipsed by Los Angeles Airport in 1946.  Since then the airport has undergone several name changes and most recently was renamed the Bob Hope Airport, in honor of the famous comedian.  Since World War II, the expansions of the aircraft and defense industries, namely Lockheed and the entertainment industry, have contributed to the growth of Burbank. 

Today, the main employer in Burbank is the entertainment industry.  Among the various studios located here are Warner Brothers and Disney, as well as a variety of television studios.  Presently, median home prices are around $611,000.  Its residents are attracted by Burbank's carefully laid out streets and neighborhoods, its own police and fire departments, newspaper, “small town feel,” and highly ranked school system.

Contributed by: Dickson Podley Realtors