Playa Vista, Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Playa Vista
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Playa Vista from the south, with Bluff Creek in foreground
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Playa Vista neighborhood as mapped by the Los Angeles Times
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 Playa Vista
Location in Western Los Angeles
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Los Angeles |
| City | Los Angeles |
| ZIP Code |
90094
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Playa Vista is a cool neighborhood in the Westside area of Los Angeles, California, United States. It used to be where the famous Hughes Aircraft Company had its main office from 1941 to 1985. This is also where the giant "Spruce Goose" airplane was built!
Starting in 2002, Playa Vista was built as a planned community with homes, shops, and offices. It has attracted many companies in technology, media, and entertainment. Because of this, it's now a big part of "Silicon Beach" in Los Angeles.
Contents
History of Playa Vista
First People: Tongva Native Americans
Long ago, the Tongva people lived in the area now known as Playa Vista. They had a village there called Guashna. This land is very important to them because it holds sacred burial sites.
When construction started in the area, about 1,000 Native American remains were found. These were carefully reburied in 2008 during a special ceremony. Playa Vista has a museum called the Westchester/Playa Vista Discovery Center. It opened in 2020 and teaches people about the Ballona Wetlands and the Gabrieliño-Tongva tribe.
Early Land Use: Port Ballona
In 1839, this land was part of a large ranch called Rancho La Ballona. Later, in 1887, it became part of a place called Port Ballona.
Wetlands and the Ballona Creek
Before it became the home of Hughes Aircraft Company, much of Playa Vista was a wetlands area. It was connected to a large salt marsh, which is now Marina Del Rey. These wetlands were part of a bigger natural water system called the Ballona Creek watershed. This system also included areas like Playa Del Rey and parts of Venice, Los Angeles.
Howard Hughes and the Spruce Goose
In the 1940s, the famous pilot Howard Hughes bought this land. He built a private airfield called Hughes Airport. He also built a factory with huge hangars for his Hughes Aircraft Company.
The most famous project built here was the Spruce Goose. This plane had the largest wingspan and height of any aircraft ever built! It was constructed in one of the hangars. In 1947, it was moved to Long Beach Harbor for its only flight.
How Playa Vista Was Built
New Community Project
The first part of Playa Vista was started in 2001. It was designed to have a mix of homes (both affordable and luxury), offices, shops, and green spaces. It was also built next to a restored wetlands and wildlife area.
Playa Vista was chosen by President Bill Clinton in 1998 as a special "National Pilot Project." This meant it was planned to be one of the most technologically advanced communities ever. It was built with excellent internet and communication systems.
Caring for the Environment
Playa Vista was designed to be a "green development." This means it uses energy-saving systems and recycled materials. It also uses building methods that help protect the environment.
However, some environmental groups and people living nearby were worried. They thought the new development would cause more traffic congestion in the area. Since 1994, developers and some environmentalists have worked together to restore the Ballona Wetlands. But other environmentalists still don't want any building in the wetlands.
Methane Gas Safety
Around 2000, there was a discussion about methane gas in Playa Vista. Studies were done to understand where the gas was coming from. The studies found that there was no large underground crack that could release methane during an earthquake. They also found that gas was not leaking from a nearby gas storage facility.
In 2002, the city of Los Angeles required special safety systems to be installed in Playa Vista buildings. These systems include a protective layer under buildings, vents, and alarms. City officials say these are the strictest safety rules in the country. Many people also believe that much of the methane in the area is natural, not from gas companies.
The Los Angeles City Council has supported the developers of Playa Vista. The community also has a mix of homes for different income levels. Experts say the safety measures are very strong.
Saving Water
All the parks and green areas in Playa Vista use 100% recycled water. This helps save a lot of fresh water.
Where is Playa Vista?
Playa Vista is located in a busy part of Los Angeles. It is next to several other neighborhoods:
- To the northwest: Del Rey
- To the north and east: Culver City
- To the southeast: Westchester
- To the southwest: Playa del Rey
- To the west: Marina del Rey
Important natural and man-made boundaries include Ballona Creek and the Marina Freeway to the north. The Culver City boundary is to the northeast. To the southeast, it's bordered by Bluff Creek Drive and the old boundaries of Rancho La Ballona.
Playa Vista Riparian Corridor
| Bluff Creek | |
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Bluff Creek
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 33°58′54″N 118°24′07″W / 33.9818°N 118.4020°W |
| River mouth | 33°57′57″N 118°25′38″W / 33.96594°N 118.42711°W |
Bluff Creek is a small stream in Los Angeles County, California. It flows at the bottom of the Westchester bluffs. This creek is part of the Playa Vista neighborhood and feeds into the Freshwater Marsh of the Ballona Wetlands.
The Playa Vista Riparian Corridor is a popular place for birdwatching and exercise. It has three paths and roads around Bluff Creek, at the base of the bluffs. This area is a wildlife spot connected to the larger Ballona Wetlands estuary.
The highest path is sometimes called the LMU Fire Road. You can walk your leashed dog here. The lowest path is a 2.5-mile exercise track that winds along Bluff Creek. It passes by fun places like Ballona Discovery Park, which has outdoor exhibits about the area's history and nature.
Who Lives in Playa Vista?
In 2000, about 2,416 people lived in Playa Vista. By 2008, the population had grown to about 6,010 people. The average age of residents was 37, which is a bit older than the average for Los Angeles.
Playa Vista is a very diverse neighborhood. People from many different backgrounds live here. The most common places of birth for people born outside the U.S. were Mexico and Guatemala.
The average household income in 2008 was about $68,597, which is high for Los Angeles. About 54.8% of homes were owned by the people living in them, and 28.5% were rented.
Playa Vista's Economy
Playa Vista is a hub for many exciting companies, especially in technology and media. Here are some of the businesses located here:
- Electronic Arts: A major company that makes and sells video games.
- Belkin: A company that makes computer and mobile accessories.
- Team One: An advertising agency.
- ICANN: An organization that helps manage the internet's naming system.
- Fullscreen: A company focused on online video and entertainment.
- Neo@Ogilvy: A marketing communication company.
- TBWA/Chiat/Day: A global advertising agency.
- Deutsch Inc.: Another global advertising agency.
- Gehry Partners, LLP: The architectural firm of famous architect Frank Gehry.
- TOMS: A company known for its shoes, eyewear, and coffee, which also gives back to the community.
- Facebook LA: The Los Angeles office of Facebook.
- Microsoft: The Los Angeles office of Microsoft.
- The Honest Company: A company founded by actress Jessica Alba, selling baby and beauty products.
- YouTube Space LA: A special studio space for YouTube creators.
- CTRL Collective: A shared workspace for entrepreneurs.
- BEZALEL: A company focused on wireless charging technology.
- Rooster Teeth: A production company known for online videos and entertainment.
- IMAX Corporation: A company known for its large-screen movie theaters and cameras.
- Santa Monica Studio: A video game development studio owned by Sony.
Also, the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) is located in Playa Vista. This research center from the University of Southern California (USC) works with Hollywood and the game industry to create advanced training and simulation tools.
Community Facilities
City Services
- The Los Angeles Police Department has a station nearby that serves Playa Vista.
- The Los Angeles Public Library has a modern branch in Playa Vista. It has a community meeting room and free public Wifi.
Parks and Recreation
Playa Vista has many parks and sports fields for everyone to enjoy:
- Playa Vista Dog Park
- Playa Vista Sports Park
- Fountain Park At Playa Vista
- Playa Vista Central Park
- Ballona Creek bicycle path
- Ballona Discovery Park
- Concert Park
- Central Park, which has a bandshell for performances and sports facilities.
Other Facilities
- The Los Angeles Clippers, a professional basketball team, have a special training facility in Playa Vista for their players. Some players even live in or near the neighborhood!
Education in Playa Vista
The Los Angeles Unified School District manages the public schools in the area.
- Playa del Rey Elementary School is located within the community.
- Playa Vista Elementary School is also in the neighborhood.
The Los Angeles Public Library operates the Playa Vista Branch Library, which is a great place for students to study and find books.
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Playa del Rey Elementary School
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Playa Vista Elementary School
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Playa Vista Branch Library
