Country Atmosphere, Convenience of City Lure Homebuyers to Valley : Encino: Numerous neighborhoods make up area that offers residents a sense of community pride and room to grow.

When Gene and Betty Salvay went looking for a home site in 1964, they wanted a neighborhood that would accommodate their three children. They heard about Amestoy Estates, in the flats of Encino, and liked the area on their first visit because of its close location to their children’s activities.

“We were able to walk the kids to school and the park,” said Gene Salvay, a retired airplane designer. “This neighborhood was loaded with little kids.”

The couple designed their 3,500-square-foot home with their children in mind. “I wanted a house where my kids could have a tremendous area for play, so we built a large play room,” said Gene Salvay.

Now that the Salvay’s children are grown and married, it’s the grandchildren who use the play room and walk to the park. “Our kids live (out of state), and we like room for them to (all) stay at one time,” said Betty Salvay, a retired early childhood educator. “Plus, we love our big garden, so I can’t imagine living in a condo.”

Encino is a 12-square-mile community on the southern edge of the San Fernando Valley. It lies between Lindley Avenue and the western boundary of Sherman Oaks, north of Mulholland Drive and south of Victory Boulevard.

Encino is divided by Ventura Boulevard, a street diversified with office buildings, trendy restaurants and upscale shops. North of the boulevard is flatland, while slightly south are the Santa Monica Mountains.

It was country atmosphere with city conveniences that lured Larry and Linda Elins to the hills of Encino five years ago. Their 10,000-square-foot home situated on over an acre is located in an area named Royal Oaks.

“We wanted to move into Royal Oaks,” said Larry Elins, an investor and former owner of the gift/toy company Applause Inc. “It’s a perfect location . . . we have family in the Valley, we’re close to Ventura Boulevard so we have conveniences of shopping and dinning. We feel like we are in a suburban country type of setting . . . in the heart of Los Angeles.”

The couple also liked Royal Oaks because the homes are all different. “It doesn’t have a development type feeling with standard houses and streets,” Larry Elins said.

Royal Oaks is just one of numerous neighborhoods in Encino. Craig Hartenstein, a real estate agent with the Fred Sands office in Sherman Oaks, said, “Encino is a well-rounded area,” with houses ranging in price from the mid-$100,000s to the millions. The least expensive homes are in Encino Park, north of Ventura Boulevard. “These post-World War II tract homes sell for around $165,000 and are approximately 1,200 square feet with two or three bedrooms and one or two baths,” said Hartenstein.

An average-size house sells for about $300,000 and is about 2,000 square feet with three or four bedrooms and two or three bathrooms, he said.

“Then there are the estate homes. . . . Most are located south of Ventura Boulevard. The most expensive home recently sold for $1,962,500 and includes seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, a tennis court and pool,” he said.

He said that the majority of condos and apartments are in a pocket north of Ventura Boulevard. The average-sized condo is selling for about $159,000 and includes two bedrooms and two baths. The most expensive condo recently sold for $532,000 and has two bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a den, formal dining room and breakfast area.

Childhood memories and a feeling of neighborhood pride brought Lisa Rowen back to Encino last year. “There is something special about a history, a sense of belonging and a sense of community,” she said. “This is my community. . . . There are roots here.”

Lisa Rowen and her husband, Eric, an attorney, paid in the high $800,000s for their 5,400-square-foot Spanish-style house that was originally listed for more than $1 million. It has four bedrooms, a maid’s room, 5 1/2 bathrooms, pool and Jacuzzi. It also has a large play room.

“With three kids and two dogs, we needed more than just more bedrooms, we needed more living space,” Lisa Rowen said.

As much as Rowen likes Encino, she says there is a downside. “The problems of the inner city are encroaching the Valley. I’m seeing a lot of graffiti in my neighborhood . . . and it offends me,” Rowen said. “I won’t let my kids walk a block by themselves, and that’s really upsetting.”

Other residents who share the same thoughts about the crime in the area banded together over a year ago and organized the We Are the Community Helpers (WATCH) program.

WATCH is a joint effort of the Chamber of Commerce and Homeowners Assn. of Sherman Oaks, Tarzana and Encino. It assists the Los Angeles Police Department by watching a 12-mile stretch of Ventura Boulevard and reporting crime.

President-elect Steve Getzoff of the Encino Chamber of Commerce says that trained volunteers are the eyes and ears for the police. “By working in cars, using walkie-talkies and standing on rooftops, we can report crime to the police,” Getzoff said.

“It’s a strong neighborhood watch program,” senior lead officer Russ Long of the LAPD’s West Valley Division said. “The crime rate in Encino is lower than other parts of the city. People’s fear is out of sync with reality. They think there’s an epidemic (in crime), when there’s not.”

Long before the development of Encino, the tribe of peaceful Gabrielino Indians inhabited the area, which was abundant with oak trees and situated next to a fresh water pool and hot springs, now part of the Los Encinos State Historic Park.

In August of 1769, while searching for Monterey under the orders of King Charles III of Spain, Gaspar de Portola led his expedition down the Santa Monica Mountains and was greeted by the Indians.

Portola set up camp and days later Father John Crespi, a member of the group, named the area El Valle de Santa Catalina de Bononia de Los Encinos (the Valley of St. Catherine of Bononia of the Oaks). Eventually the name shortened to Encino.

The family with the longest ties to Encino is the Amestoy family, which owned a ranch there for 55 years. In 1915 they started subdividing and selling their property.

In the mid-’20s celebrities started moving to Encino. In 1937, Al Jolson became the first honorary mayor. Throughout the years, other celebrities, including John Wayne, Jerry Dunphy and Michael Landon, have held the title of honorary mayor.

In 1938 a five-day storm killed 49 people and destroyed much property. A couple of years later the Army Corps of Engineers built the Sepulveda Dam.

The Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area is the largest of three parks in Encino with over 2,000 acres. It includes three 18-hole golf courses, an archery range, bicycle and roller skating paths and a lake among its amenities.

When Fred and Cora Gilman looked to buy a house nine years ago, they were attracted to Lake Encino for its privacy and looks. Located in the hills, it’s named after the reservoir nearby.

“It’s a pocket that if you didn’t know it was here, you’d never find us,” Cora Gilman said. “I love this particular neighborhood. Whenever I drive or walk through it, I think it’s very beautiful.”

Fred Gilman, a dentist, added, “We also liked it because it was the yuppie place, en vogue. “

The Gilmans paid $412,000 for their one-level 3,300-square-foot home, which includes four bedrooms, a maid’s room, four bathrooms, pool and a Jacuzzi.

With three older children the couple wanted more living space, so six years ago they added another 1,000 square feet. “We didn’t add any rooms,” Cora Gilman said. “We enlarged every room.”

Rozbruch is a free-lance writer who lives in Sherman Oaks.

At a Glance

Population 1993 estimate: 24,063 1980-90 change: +2.5% Median age: 40.2 years Annual income Per capita: 39,609 Median household: 45,704 Household distribution Less than $30,000: 21.1% $30,000 - $60,000: 33.2% $60,000 - $100,000: 20.5% $100,000 - $150,000: 10.4% $150,000 +: 14.9%