SYLMAR

You can thank the Los Angeles Olive Growers’ Association for the transformation of this foothill chapparal now known as “the sea of trees,” Sylmar. Look northeast to take advantage of the view of the San Gabriel Mountains, and in the winter, take in the snow-capped Angeles Forest while you fire up your Weber grill. If cooking’s not your thing, let your noise follow the trail of smoke from the two outdoor barbecue roasters at Buffalo Bill’s Mercantile. Not a meat lover? Then sit back with a pound of king crab legs and a couple Modelos at The Crawfish.

Home to Nethercutt, one of America’s five greatest automobile museums, also has one of the world’s finest collections of mechanical musical instruments. If you’re more a doer than a looker, then you’ve also got The Basement for an escape room experience, MB2 Raceway for go-karts, and the Wildlife Learning Center, because who doesn’t love sloths?

GRV LOCAL EATS

TAQUERIA MI RANCHITO (13908 FOOTHILL BLVD.)

Check out these zesty meals on wheels. Enjoy their deliciously authentic Mexican food in the fresh air of Sylmar. This tasty taco truck keeps theflavor rolling.

BUFFALO BRUCE’S MERCANTILE (13661 HUBBARD ST.)

Enjoy some of the finest BBQ in town. Buffalo Bruce’s has the most delicious meats, and friendly staff. No other BBQ place can compete when they have cute cats come to greet you on the patio.

THE CRAWFISH CO. (13213 GLADSTONE AVE.)

Spice up your meal out with some Cajun cooking. Don’t let its ordinary appearance fool you, this humble joint serves the finest Southern style seafood around.