Mayor Karen Bass is celebrating 818 Day, the annual salute to the San Fernando Valley, by shining a light on the neighborhoods, businesses, and community leaders that give the Valley its unique spirit. From historic landmarks to small businesses and grassroots nonprofits, the Mayor is spending the day immersed in the very communities she has made a priority since taking office.
“The San Fernando Valley’s vibrant neighborhoods, commercial centers, parks, restaurants and small businesses make Los Angeles the great city that it is,” said Mayor Bass. “818 Day is an opportunity to highlight all that makes the Valley so special. We have made great strides in delivering for Valley communities and we will continue this work more urgently than ever.”
Those strides have been felt across the Valley, where city initiatives are transforming daily life. The Mayor’s Inside Safe program has already helped bring more than 750 people indoors, while clearing hundreds of tons of debris from communities stretching from North Hollywood to Chatsworth. In the Sepulveda Basin, a new coordinated action plan has begun to reshape the area, reducing fire hazards, removing invasive growth, and expanding patrols to make the region safer and more welcoming.
The Valley is also preparing to take center stage on the world’s biggest stage. For the first time ever, Olympic events will be hosted here in 2028, with the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area transformed into a high-energy sports park featuring skateboarding and BMX racing, while Universal Studios will host the Olympic debut of squash. Add in the excitement of World Cup fan activations in 2026, and the Valley is set to become a global gathering place.
Beyond sports, Bass has pushed forward efforts to connect and sustain the Valley. A new all-electric DASH route now links Pacoima residents to schools, shopping centers and parks, while Metro’s G Line improvements and new protected bus lanes are making it easier—and greener—for Angelenos to get around. New bus shelters, solar-powered streetlights, and safer intersections are appearing throughout Valley neighborhoods, with an emphasis on protecting families and children walking to school.
The entertainment industry, long rooted in the Valley, is also being bolstered by the Mayor’s successful advocacy for a $750 million expansion of California’s Film & TV Tax Credit, keeping productions local and ensuring studios and small businesses in the region thrive. At the same time, initiatives like Shine LA are bringing communities together through beautification efforts in Sherman Oaks, Pacoima, Lake View Terrace and beyond—proof that cleaner, greener neighborhoods are central to the Mayor’s vision.
Public safety and youth engagement remain central to the mission. From increasing LAPD hiring and surging resources when crime spikes, to hosting Summer Night Lights in Valley parks, Bass continues to balance safety with prevention and community connection.
Looking to the future, the Valley is on track for even more transformation. A new Specific Plan is underway to modernize Van Nuys Airport, bringing sustainable growth and new jobs, while the upcoming Rams Village at Warner Center promises to be a game-changer for the region, serving as the LA Rams’ permanent headquarters and training center while adding new community spaces and economic opportunities.
Guiding much of this momentum is the newly formed Valley Advisory Board, a powerhouse group of civic leaders, educators, business executives and nonprofit heads, who will be working with the Mayor to shape the next chapter of growth in the Valley.
Mayor Bass will spend 818 Day meeting with this Advisory Board, connecting with small business owners, and visiting community-based organizations to discuss collaboration and opportunities. She’ll cap the day with a mural unveiling honoring powerful women leaders in Los Angeles history, where her likeness joins those of trailblazers who have shaped the city.
818 Day, under Mayor Bass’ leadership, has become more than a celebration—it’s a snapshot of the Valley’s progress, resilience, and the promise of what’s to come.
