Burbank: The Media Capital of the World

Why come to Burbank, located a mere 19 kilometers from Los Angeles? After all, southern California certainly doesn’t lack big-name tourist destinations, from the beaches that line the coasts to Disney Land. The answer lies in two very different aspects of this one town.

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The first reason appears in the title: Burbank, the media capital of the world. This may be more memorable than strictly accurate, but it is based in fact: the entertainment industry is this area’s largest employer. You can take in a taping of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno at NBC Studios or visit Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show at the Warner Brothers studio. Other major entertainment industry players headquartered here include PBS, Cartoon Network, and Warner Music Studios. Nearby is the Burbank Philharmonic (for classical music lovers), the L.A. Equestrian Center (for horse lovers), and DeBell Golf Course (for golfers, naturally!).
The other side to Burbank’s appeal is its small-town feel. The crime rate is low, and – particularly in the Magnolia Park neighborhood – the storefronts hark back to the 1950s. This area also hosts a convivial street festival, featuring live bands and a classic car show.

The Downtown section of Burbank, on the other hand, offers visitors over 75 restaurants and 200 shops to choose from. Activities Downtown range from a Farmer’s Market to a Fine Arts Festival.
Traveling to Burbank is easy. The Bob Hope Airport serves the city itself, but it only accepts a handful of domestic airlines. International travellers will probably be booked through LAX, Los Angeles’ mammoth airport. (This is the airport served by Air Canada.) From there, a half an hour drive (in heavy traffic) will get you to your destination – Burbank, a charming mix of showbiz site and small town.