818 Day is proudly sponsored by 8one8 Brewing on De Soto in Canoga Park.
Since opening on 8/18/2015, 8one8 Brewing has been proudly brewing in Canoga Park. Featuring 24+ beers on tap, all brewed right in the heart of the 818!
Check out favorites like Valley Girl Blonde and the award-winning Matador Red Ale - a tribute to CSUN. And if you're an IPA fan, 818 Brewing has plenty of bold, hop-forward brews to enjoy.
Check out 8one8 Here.
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Check out some fun facts about the SFV:
Music:
Bad Religion:
Before Bad Religion’s classic punk songs were produced in a studio, the songs were created in lead singer Greg Graffin’s mom’s garage in Woodland Hills. This location was nicknamed by band members Jay Bently, Brett Gurewitz, and Jay Ziskrout as the “Hell Hole “due to its crowded confines. Their lack of comfort paid off. They were the opening act for Social Distortion in a Southern California warehouse for their debut show.
In order to release their first EP, Graffin and Gurewitz started their own label called Epitaph. Then they continued making music and released their first album How Could Hell Be Any Worse which successfully sold 10,000 copies in under a year.
After the release of their second album, Into the Unknown, the band disassembled and
the members took their own paths until they reunited to integrate their SoCal punk sound into the album Suffer. Bad Religion's 17 albums are admired by fans because of the band’s blend of thoughtful lyrics about religion, politics, rationalism, and science paired with harsh harmonies. More than 46 years after Bad Religion formed, the band is still at it, currently on tour sharing their politically charged songs with fans around the globe.
Ritchie Valens:
Widely credited as the founding father of Chicano Rock, Ricardo Esteban Valenzuela,
professionally known as Ritchie Valens started learning how to play a variety of instruments at an early age and joined a local band when he was 16. Even though he was left-handed, his passion for the guitar pushed him to learn how to play with his right hand. His own music style was a fusion of rockabilly and mariachi which represented his Mexican American upbringing that he experienced in the San Fernando Valley.
In order to expand his musical career, Valens left high school in 1958 and released
singles like “Come On, Let’s Go” and “Donna” which broke barriers for Mexican American artists by reaching Number 2 on the Billboard charts. However, his standout single “La Bamba” made history as the first Spanish-language song to be on the Billboard Hot 100.
Sadly, at only 17 Valens was one of the members of the plane crash that held Buddy Holly and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. This day was marked as “The Day the Music Died” since these three legendary musicians all passed away because of the crash. Although Valens’ career was short-lived, it was incredibly influential and his songs have made an impact on artists such as Los Lobos, Carlos Santana, and Los Lonely Boys.
Valens was immortalized in the 1987 biographical movie La Bamba that grossed $54 million worldwide. The movie was praised for its soundtrack by Los Lobos and introduced a new generation to the music and history of Valens. His legacy continues through his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making him the first Latino rock artist to receive one. To this day you can still hear Ritchie Valens’ voice echoing through the Valley when his songs play on the radio airwaves.
HAIM:
Three things that Alana, Este, and Danielle have in common are a love for making music, being a part of the band HAIM, and sharing the same parents. These three sisters were brought up in a music loving family and they were even part of their family’s cover band, Rockinhaim.
In 2007, the sisters made the decision to form HAIM, but the band was not a priority for the members until 2012. After years of missing making music together, the sisters regrouped and released the album Days Are Gone. This album hit number six on the U.K.’s Billboard 200 albums chart and produced hit songs like “The Wire” and “Forever.”
After the release of their first album, they toured and performed with Taylor Swift,
Rihanna, and Florence + the Machine. Then they returned to the studio to release their
sophomore album Something to Tell You. The trio once again created ‘70s influenced hit songs for their third album Women in Music Pt. lll. This album earned them a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. They were the first all-female rock band to receive this nomination. Their most recent album release is I Quit. Though the sisters have a passion for music, they have also pursued careers in film and have starred together in the movie Licorice Pizza, while Alana has played roles in One Battle After Another, The Mastermind, and The Drama.
The Flying Burrito Brothers:
Through the music of The Flying Burrito Brothers, the genres of country and rock collide. Their genre of country-rock was pioneered by band members Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman, Pete Kleinow, and Chris Ethridge in their debut 1969 album The Gilded Palace of Sin. Parsons and Hillman first began combining country with rock in their band, The Byrds. They both left The Byrds to form The Flying Burrito Brothers in 1968.
Many changes occurred within the band’s lineup with Ethridge leaving the band before
the second album and Parsons leaving after the second album’s release. Both
members were replaced by Micheal Clarke, Bernie Leadon, and Rick Roberts. In 1971, Kleinow left to start his career as a session musician and Leadon left to join The Eagles. Al Perkins, Roger Bush, and Kenny Wertz were added to the band and under the new lineup the band released the live album, The Last of the Red Hot Burritos.
The original band members consisting of Parsons, Kleinow, and Ethridge regrouped to form a new version of The Flying Burrito Brothers and enlisted Floyd Gilbeau, Joel Scott Hill, and Gene Parsons to join the band and release Flying Again in 1975. The Flying Burrito Brothers disbanded in 1988, but they would reunite occasionally during the ‘90s for recording and concerts. The band is not inducted into the Rock and Roll Hallof Fame, but Parsons was inducted in 2026 in the Early Influence Category and Hillman was inducted in 1991 as a member of The Byrds.
Rilo Kiley:
Child actors turned musicians is the story of Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett who formed indie rock band, Rilo Kiley. The band also consisted of Pierre de Reeder and Jason Boesel who contributed to the chill Californian sound of the band. The band gained its name when it came to Sennett in a dream one night. That dream-like influence has carried on into the band’s songs. Their second album, The Execution of All Things, was released in 2002 and established a core fanbase who enjoyed listening to the confessional lyrics about heartbreak and mortality. It wasn’t until their fourth album, Under the Blacklight, when they were picked up by Warner Bros.
Records and had their first major label release. Their most popular album was their 2004 release More Adventurous which was voted as one of the top ten releases in 2004 in many end-of-year polls. Listeners were captivated by the song “Portions for Foxes” for its mix of insightful lyrics and catchy melodies.
In 2005, Rilo Kiley took center stage at Coachella, Glastonbury, and as the opening act for Coldplay. Due to tensions between Lewis and Sennett, the band split in 2007 after their Under the Blacklight tour but reunited for a North American tour in 2025.
Dawes
Dawes may be known for a sound steeped in the golden age of Laurel Canyon, but the band’s roots run straight through the San Fernando Valley. Brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith grew up in North Hills, and when Dawes began taking shape in 2009, the Valley became an important part of the band’s identity. Their debut album, North Hills, was named for the neighborhood where the group lived, rehearsed, wrote, and arranged the songs that would introduce their warm, harmony-rich blend of folk, Americana, and rock ’n’ roll.
Sound City Studios
Hidden away in an unassuming industrial building in Van Nuys, Sound City Studios is one of the San Fernando Valley’s great contributions to rock ’n’ roll history. Opened in 1969 in a former Vox amplifier factory, the studio became legendary for its cavernous live room, exceptional drum sound, and custom Neve analog recording console.
The list of artists who passed through Sound City is remarkable. Neil Young recorded portions of After the Gold Rush there, while Fleetwood Mac made its landmark 1975 self-titled album at the studio. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers recorded much of Damn the Torpedoes there, and in 1991 Nirvana arrived with producer Butch Vig to record Nevermind, the album that helped transform alternative rock and made Sound City famous to a new generation. Other notable records associated with the studio include Rick Springfield’s Working Class Dog, Rage Against the Machine’s self-titled debut, Johnny Cash’s Unchained, Tool’s Undertow, Weezer’s Pinkerton, and of course Phoebe Bridger's latest album Lost Weekend.
Valley Restaurants:
Casa Vega:
13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Cruising down Ventura Boulevard can work up an appetite. Luckily when the glowing
sign that reads “Casa Vega” appears in view, you know that your hunger is quenched.
CasaVega started as just a dream for Rafeal “Ray” Vega who was familiar with the restaurant business since his parents owned Cafe Caliente on Olvera Street. It wasn’t until 1956 that Vega was able to transform his ambitions into brick and mortar.
In the restaurant, Vega’s Mexican heritage and the local community mix and
unite. The menu is filled with classic Mexican dishes and the booths are filled with friends, families, and celebrities. Actors Cary Grant and Marlon Brando were known to be regulars at the restaurant. Casa Vega also made its movie debut in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood when the characters Rick and Cliff have dinner at the end of the film. Since 1999, Maria Christina “Christy” Vega has run the family business and has modernized the restaurant while preserving the restaurant’s legacy. In 2022, Casa Vega was honored with a James Beard Award as America’s Classic.
Brent’s Deli
19565 Parthenia Street Northridge, CA 91324
A true San Fernando Valley institution, Brent's Deli Northridge has been serving towering sandwich hes and Jewish deli classics in Northridge since 1967. Ron and Patricia Peskin took over the restaurant in 1969, turning the neighborhood deli into a family-run landmark that has endured for more than half a century.
Brent’s is especially famous for its Black Pastrami Reuben, along with corned beef, matzo ball soup, lox, knishes and oversized deli sandwiches. But its appeal goes beyond the food: tucked into a Parthenia Street shopping center, Brent’s is the kind of beloved, unpretentious gathering place that captures the character of the Valley itself. The City of Los Angeles has even identified its longtime location as significant to the area's commercial history
The Munch Box:
21532 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA 91311
When thinking of a historic monument, there isn’t often a connection to burgers.
The Munch Box is an exception since it is recognized as Los Angeles Historic Cultural
Monument #750. Some people visit the restaurant for its culturally significant Googie
architecture which is, sadly, growing increasingly rare. However, most people arrive at The Munch Box in search of a delicious burger. The menu is traditionally simple and offers only burgers, hot dogs, fries, and soda drinks. The Munch Box is praised for changing few original elements of the place and for preserving its 1950s exterior. One part of their old-fashioned manner is that they are cash only and do not accept credit cards… so if visiting, bring your bucks.
Mel’s Drive-In
Mel’s Drive-In, 4846 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Mel’s Drive-In in Sherman Oaks is a classic slice of San Fernando Valley car culture and midcentury Los Angeles. The diner occupies a striking 1953 Googie-style coffee shop designed by architects Armet & Davis, with its angled roofline, big windows, neon, counter seating and unmistakable roadside appeal. Mel’s expanded into Southern California in the late 1980s, bringing the nostalgic drive-in name—made famous nationally through American Graffiti—to Ventura Boulevard. Today, Mel’s remains a wonderfully retro Valley landmark, serving diner staples like burgers, shakes, pancakes and all-day breakfast in surroundings that evoke Southern California’s postwar heyday.
Record Stores:
Deadly Wax:
17820A Chatsworth St, Granada Hills, CA 91344
The focus at Deadly Wax record store is LPs, 45s, tapes, and the San Fernando Valley culture. Located in Granada Hills, Deadly Wax is a family-owned record store whose owner is often ready to offer a music recommendation. The interior of the store holds the authenticity of a record store while being well-organized and pristinely kept. Deadly Wax has a wide selection of music, their selections include jazz, classic rock, hip-hop, and African music. They are notable for introducing customers to new sounds, musicians, and genres. Deadly Wax is always buying records and encourages people to bring in their vinyl in exchange for cash or store credit.
Licorice Pizza:
12230 Ventura Blvd Studio City, CA 91604
At Licorice Pizza, their pizza isn’t stacked with layers of tomato sauce, cheese, and
pepperoni, instead it has layers of guitar, drums, bass, and vocals. Although Licorice Pizza stays true to its record store roots, they have also expanded and now press records, release music and host in-store events. It was established in 1971, and the store credits its longevity to “caring about music more than margins.” This ethic is instilled in the current owner, Kerry Brown, who waited hours outside of the store to purchase David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” vinyl in 1983. Licorice Pizza sells a mixture of used records and vinyl fresh off the press.
Freakbeat Records:
13616 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
This Sherman Oaks record store is notable for two aspects: its old school atmosphere
and great deals. Shopping at Freakbeat Records serves as a reminder for what record shopping was like in the seventies since most of the selection of vinyl is music from that era. Freakbeat has a $.99 room that has LPs and CDs for those searching a good bargain. Freakbeat Records prides themselves on their rejection of popular tunes and instead focus their inventory on artists that are on small labels and are not sold at major record stores.
Movies
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Even though the movie takes place in San Diego, many scenes were filmed a little more
up north in the San Fernando Valley. The exterior of the Ridgemont High School was filmed at Van Nuys High School while the inside of the mall during their hangouts was the interior of the Sherman Oaks Galleria. Many other locations such as the dinner date scenes, Hamilton residence, baseball fields, and Brad’s job at "Captain Hook Fish and Chips” were all shot at locations in the valley like West Hills, Encino, and Northridge.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
One of the most iconic scenes in movie history took center stage in the San Fernando
Valley when ET was sent flying on his bike between Tribune Street and San Fernando Mission Boulevard in Granada Hills. During Halloween and other neighborhood scenes, the residential streets of Porter Ranch were used. And the scene where Elliott and ET escape federal agents inthe park was filmed at Porter Ranch Park.
Boogie Nights
The first setting to be displayed in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights was the
Reseda Theater then followed by the Reseda Country Club. Another Reseda location that was filmed was the Miss Donuts on Sherman Way in the robbery scene.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
The intense and dramatic scenes of Terminator 2 were filtered throughout locations in
the San Fernando Valley with the first one being The Corral Bar in Lake Terrace when T-800 demands clothes. Additionally, the car chase between T-1000 and T-800 took place along the LA River Channel at Hayvenhurst Avenue and Plummer Street. A corporate building in Northridge was also used as the exterior for the Cyberdyne Systems.
The Valley in the News:
Newport ‘69 at Devonshire Downs:
Before there was Woodstock, there was Newport ‘69, a three-day music festival that took place at the former Devonshire Downs on June 20 - 22 1969. This rock and folk festival attracted an estimated 200,000 music lovers who gathered to watch legendary musicians. The lineup consisted of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Ike & Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, Credence Clearwater Revival, Three Dog Night, and other acts. Jimi Hendrix was only expected to perform on the opening Friday night, but he was disappointed with his performance and decided to surprise fans with another show on the closing Sunday night. The festival ended on a low note since violence erupted between attendees and police. Many injuries occurred after gatecrashers broke down the chain link fence that enclosed the festival and were met with police pushback. The surrounding neighborhood of Northridge also incurred $50,000 worth of damages. This incident has led to the implementation of permits for outside concerts.
Northridge Earthquake:
In 1994, on January 17, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake centered in Northridge hit Southern California that resulted in many damages. Thousands of Californians were injured while 57deaths occurred. This earthquake is known as the costliest earthquake in US history, racking up$ 20 billion worth of damages. The Northridge Earthquake was so intense that it was reportedly felt by people in San Diego, Ensenada, and Las Vegas. For those closer to the epicenter, the shaking dislocated buildings and caused structural damages. About 82,000 residential and commercial units suffered the consequence of this earthquake. Since this disaster, researchers and scientists have taken action to prevent and avoid serious harm in the event of another destructive earthquake. For example, buildings now have to follow strict building code amendments that insure the stability of structures. CSUN, the home of The SoCal Sound, sustained very heavy damage – most notably the collapse of parking structures and the campus library.
Happy 818 Day, all!!
See ya in the SFV!!
- Lila Chotiner and Hillary Gordon
