# "The Valley" in California **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 23, 2014, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889 "2014-07-23T23:46:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/21 "2014-07-24T04:10:07Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Are you considering a visit to the Golden State? (All the gold of which, of course, is in a bank in the middle of Beverly Hills in somebody else’s name.) Hey, it’s a brand new game. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/22 "2014-07-24T04:25:02Z")
One of the worst problems of the San Fernando Valley, besides the horrific smog, is that it gets majorly hot. It’s one of the parts of Southern California that really needs air conditioning. There are lots of museums in the valley: The Andres Pico Adobe in Mission Hills The Archival Center of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at the San Fernando Mission in Mission Hills (not the mention the mission itself) Bolton Hall in Tujunga (unless you don’t count San Gabriel as the Valley) The Mike Curb Art Museum at Cal State Northridge The Hall of Liberty American History Museum at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills Los Encinos State Historic Park in Encino The Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar, as mentioned above The Warner Brothers Museum in Burbank ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/23 "2014-07-24T09:18:07Z")
> [@Antonius\_Block](#): > > [nitpick] > Hmm, if we are trying to avoid confusion, I would say that Sacramento and points north are not in the San Joaquin Valley. I kinda-sorta know that, but I’m a bit fuzzy on the nomenclature. If we consider a “valley” to be any basin surrounded by mountains, then that big basin in California seems to be one big valley. But I’ve noticed that the area north of Sacramento (or Stockton? or Lodi? or ???) isn’t called “San Joaquin Valley”. I wasn’t sure what it is called, though. I think I’ve also seen the name “Butte Valley” for some or all of that area. There is also a Butte County up there. Similarly, that whole big body of water inside the Golden Gate isn’t all called San Francisco Bay. It is shaped like a hour-glass, with points of land on either side sticking out around San Rafael and Richmond, where the San Rafael / Richmond bridge is. The watery region north of that is called San Pablo Bay. (And even that, in turn, has other smaller bays hanging off the edges of it.) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/24 "2014-07-24T10:30:16Z")
I think its a local thing. We live in [Silicon Valley](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Valley) and yeah, we refer to it as “The Valley” from time to time. Doubt it would be confused with any other valley. Most of the state is composed of valleys. Depends where you live. They are all “infamous” for one reason or other. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/25 "2014-07-24T10:44:51Z")
So you have “valley girls” and we have “Essex girls” See here [http://www.srogers.com/comedy/essex.asp](http://www.srogers.com/comedy/essex.asp) for some cliche jokes. Sample: > [@](#): > > Q. How do you make an Essex girl’s eyes sparkle? > A. Shine a torch into her ear. Essex, by the way, is a county to the East of London which used to be mostly marsh land, and where the development is not too dissimilar from the Californian Valley ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/26 "2014-07-24T10:57:34Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > I kinda-sorta know that, but I’m a bit fuzzy on the nomenclature. If we consider a “valley” to be any basin surrounded by mountains, then that big basin in California seems to be one big valley. That’s one definition, but there’s also the “river valley” sense, where a valley is the basin that drains into a particular river - the flatter bits of its watershed, basically (in that idiosyncratic North American usage of watershed, anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/27 "2014-07-24T12:57:52Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > If we consider a “valley” to be any basin surrounded by mountains, then that big basin in California seems to be one big valley. Yup, the [Central Valley](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Valley_%28California%29), which includes the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. The dividing line between them is not very visible as it’s all flattish around the Delta, but it’s safe to say that Stockton and points south are in the San Joaquin Valley, and Sacramento and points north are in the Sacramento Valley. Lodi is up for grabs… ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/28 "2014-07-24T13:11:20Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > I think its a local thing. We live in [Silicon Valley](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Valley) and yeah, we refer to it as “The Valley” from time to time. Doubt it would be confused with any other valley. Most of the state is composed of valleys. Depends where you live. They are all “infamous” for one reason or other. Also called Santa Clara Valley. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/29 "2014-07-24T14:25:54Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Also called Santa Clara Valley. Formerly known as The Valley of Heart’s Delight. (and let’s not forget DEATH Valley) ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/30 "2014-07-24T14:26:42Z")
Obligatory “Valley Girl” link: Dweezil and Moon Unit performing their dad's song. She sounds just like she did on the record 30 years ago. Very cute, Moon Unit is up on stage dancing with her daughter. You can hear some of the SoCal geographical references - Encino, Ventura, the Galleria. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/31 "2014-07-24T14:35:03Z")
> [@Antonius\_Block](#): > > Yup, the [Central Valley](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Valley_%28California%29), which includes the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. The dividing line between them is not very visible as it’s all flattish around the Delta, but it’s safe to say that Stockton and points south are in the San Joaquin Valley, and Sacramento and points north are in the Sacramento Valley. **Lodi is up for grabs…** Sacramento can have it. I’d rather not get stuck there…again. ---
**Author:** ![ASGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/32 "2014-07-24T14:41:57Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > I grew up in Pacoima/Arleta area, c. 1950’s-1960’s. The Valley was rather fully built-up even then, but there were still some not-quite-fully-cement-jungle areas remaining here and there, especially around the edges. Hear hear! I also am a Pacoima boy, 1957-1968 (Hansen Dam area) and I’m quite proud of calling it my hometown. I would also be called a “Valley Dude,” by the coastal-living surfers. That was okay by me. I liked living in the valley. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/33 "2014-07-24T15:00:15Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Sacramento can have it. I’d rather not get stuck there…again. Oh Lord… But, Lodi produces some very fine Zin grapes! ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/34 "2014-07-24T15:04:19Z")
Now, how about the Simi Valley of Reagen Library and Rodney King Trial fame? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/35 "2014-07-24T15:32:55Z")
…and the Imperial Valley way down to the Southeast. Much of California’s pattern of settlement is based around the distribution of the inland valleys, what with the topography putting mountains right next up to the shore along most of the length of the state. **kunilou** : the Simi Valley is west of the San Fernando Valley, over in Ventura County. It contains an eponymous municipality. But yeah, in the greater US pop culture _ **The** _ Valley is presumed to mean the SFV. Because of the domination of popular media by Los Angeles-base companies. > [@TSBG](#): > > That isn’t entirely true, of course, but I’m pretty sure all of the “big” museums are elsewhere. Maybe they meant the specific former-L.A. components that would have become separately incorporated. Which I’d still be skeptical about. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/36 "2014-07-24T15:44:43Z")
If LA Basinites look down on San Fernandans, who do the valley people look down on? The Inland Empire? ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/37 "2014-07-24T15:57:52Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > If LA Basinites look down on San Fernandans, who do the valley people look down on? People from Bakersfield. Who look down on people from Fresno. Not sure where Visalia fits in the mix. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/38 "2014-07-24T16:08:10Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Hey, it’s a brand new game. I can honestly say I never expected 35 year old Gatlin Brothers songs to be quoted here! Awesome! ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/39 "2014-07-24T16:19:12Z")
Fer sure!! ---
**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2014, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889/40 "2014-07-24T16:21:27Z")
From what I read years ago, both Fred MacMurray and Bob Hope made a killing in real estate by buying up large quantities of SFV real estate before it was developed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valley-in-california/693889.md?page=3)