Local Information Now on Internet

Surf the Valley.

Impossible? Try cyberspace. Net surfers can now explore a list of recreation opportunities available in the San Fernando Valley via an electronic visitors guide.

Located on the World Wide Web at https://www.sfvalley.org/visitors/, the resource was initially created to spotlight the Valley’s motion picture and television studios, said Ellen Fitzmaurice, telecommunication project director for the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley and the site’s architect.

The idea, she said, was to demonstrate to visitors that much of fabled “Hollywood” actually exists in the Valley, including Universal Studios, Warner Bros., the Walt Disney Co. and NBC.

“They’re not in Hollywood,” she said. “We wanted to point out that they are here.”

Launched last month, the guide also includes listings of historical sites and places to go for ice skating, horseback riding, golf and rock climbing.

“We’re still compiling things,” Fitzmaurice said, noting that the guide will grow.

More than just a list of places to see, the guide includes electronic links to related Web sites, including Universal Studios, Magic Mountain, Los Angeles Zoo, Autry Museum of Western Heritage and the San Fernando Mission and Audiences Unlimited, which offers free tickets to television tapings.

Fitzmaurice said she hopes that by browsing the online guide before leaving home, visitors and vacationers will realize that they can plan a satisfying trip entirely within the Valley’s borders.

“I think there’s a lot of hype on the Net but I do feel that use is going to increase greatly,” she said.