Itinerary: Magnolia Boulevard

Who really knows what Paul Thomas Anderson had in mind when he titled his new film “Magnolia.” Probably not that moviegoers would head out to the San Fernando Valley and cruise the street that represents the spine of his film. But why not?

Magnolia is a typical Valley boulevard, wide, straight and long. From its easternmost end, at the foot of the Verdugo Mountains, it travels more than 10 miles, bisecting neighborhoods of postwar ranch homes one mile and gritty commercial stretches the next. Finally it sputters out in the center of the Valley, around the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area.

Friday

Magnolia first descends from the Verdugos down through a residential neighborhood and lands in Burbank’s Media Center district. For shopping, movies and restaurants, this is the hub.

But for more funky shopping, keep driving. If the Media Center is the new Burbank, the one-mile stretch from Buena Vista Street to Pass Avenue is the old Burbank, where mom-and-pop stores have neon signs bragging of their 59 years in business. From the 2500 block to the 4000 block of Magnolia Boulevard, there’s a Dutton’s Books, Atomic Records, Junk for Joy (vintage clothes) and It’s a Wrap (which sells old TV wardrobe clothes). The street also is dotted with antiques stores, such as the White Elephant Shop, the Victorian Rose, Five Sisters and Madrid.

Two major studios are just south of here, but this part of Burbank feels a long way from Hollywood. If you don’t believe it, check out Crazy Jack’s Country Bar & Grill (4311 W. Magnolia Blvd., [818] 845-1121) It’s a country music joint with live music and line dancing every weekend.

Saturday

Slowly, slowly North Hollywood has transformed itself into the arts district it’s claimed to be for years. NoHo, for short, is centered at the intersection of Lankershim and Magnolia boulevards, and there are at least eight theaters within a short walk, and more to come.

One of the newest buildings is the home of the American Renegade Theatre (11136 Magnolia Blvd., [818] 763-4430), where the comedy “The Sicilian Bachelor” just reopened for an indefinite run. It plays Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. $25.

Afterward, rejuvenate with a stop at Bob’s Coffeehead (11002 Magnolia Blvd., [818] 766-5672. Open Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m.). This hangout with the beachy patio started as a spot for aspiring screenwriters to wait as their scripts were being photocopied next door at Bob the Printer. Bob’s Coffeehead will still sell you a blended iced mocha, even if you don’t have representation.

Sunday

Magnolia Boulevard peters out after it hits Sepulveda Boulevard, pointing right at the Sepulveda Dam. To enter the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, drive in on Burbank or Balboa boulevards.

The park is essentially a huge flood plain, a flat expanse covering more than 3 square miles--2 1/2 times the size of New York’s Central Park. There’s something for almost everyone here: golf courses, soccer and baseball fields, a model-airplane field, biking and running paths, even a velodrome. Balboa Lake is bustling with kids biking and feeding ducks. The southeast corner is more quiet and harbors the recently upgraded Sepulveda Wildlife Area, with new paths, signs and bridges, prime for bird-watching. The northeast corner contains a 6.5-acre Japanese Garden (6100 Woodley Ave., [818] 756-8166. $3. Open 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.).