Living in Northridge
Welcome to the Neighborhood!
Northridge is a densely populated suburban neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley. It’s home to CSUN students, families, small-business owners, working professionals and commuters, and longtime residents who remember when CSUN was known as San Fernando Valley State College!
The neighborhood surrounding campus is full of apartments, restaurants, coffee and boba shops, grocery stores and other small businesses. You’ll also find neighborhood parks, hiking trails, movie theaters, shopping malls, entertainment centers and more. Major tourist attractions and a variety of postcard-perfect sights are just a short ride away.
Whatever your vibe, you’ll find your people at and around CSUN!
How’s the Weather?
Northridge puts warm, sunny days on endless repeat — with some spicy, triple-digit summer temps that occasionally stick around into early October. But it’s (usually!) a dry heat, and we can wear shorts and flip-flops in December!
Pack your sunscreen and your favorite water bottle and get ready to soak up the sun as a Matador!
☀️ Check today's weather report.
Nearby Essential Services
Grocery Stores
Matadors have easy access to groceries at two markets within walking distance of campus: Vons, a full-service grocery store that’s open late, and Trader Joe’s, a budget-friendly specialty grocery store known for its frozen meals, wide variety of snacks and seasonal offerings. Fun fact: CSUN Art students painted the murals inside the Northridge location!
You’ll also find a variety of ethnic markets nearby — a reflection of the rich cultural diversity of the San Fernando Valley.
Banking
Premier America Credit Union is a proud sponsor of CSUN Athletics and many campus events and offers a variety of financial services. There’s an in-person branch in the Campus Store Complex, as well as nearby off-campus locations in Granada Hills and Chatsworth.
Bank of America, Chase Bank and Wells Fargo also have locations a short distance from campus.
Healthcare
The Klotz Student Health Center on campus is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays.
The nearest off-campus urgent care center is Valley Urgent Care on Reseda Boulevard. It’s open until 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The nearest full-service hospital is Dignity Health-Northridge Hospital. The closest county-run hospital is Olive View Medical Center in Sylmar.
Getting Around
Having a car is helpful, but plenty of students get by with a mix of walking, biking, hopping on a scooter, or using rideshare services and public transit. Multiple Metro bus stops surrounding campus and a free shuttle to the Northridge Metrolink station help connect students to other parts of the San Fernando Valley and beyond.
Metro Bus and Rail
A discounted pass is available to undergraduate students enrolled in six or more units, and graduate students enrolled in three or more units. Passes are $60 per academic term and can be used on Metro rail and bus lines and several other mass transit networks throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.
Qualifying L.A. County residents can apply for Metro’s LIFE Program, which provides 20 free rides per month This is helpful if you’re not taking courses over summer or winter breaks.
The nondiscounted, per-ride, one-way base fare is $1.75 and includes two hours of free transfers when you pay with a TAP card. Use Metro’s Trip Planner to plan your route to and from CSUN’s Transit Center (serviced on weekdays) or a nearby stop along the edge of campus:
- Zelzah Avenue and Plummer Street (east of campus).
- Nordhoff Street and Lindley Avenue (south of campus).
- Reseda Boulevard and Prairie Street (one block west of campus).
The closest Metro Rail station is the North Hollywood station. The Metro Rail is a growing public transit network of trains and subways that connect several major neighborhoods, attractions and transit hubs across the Greater Los Angeles area.
Metrolink Trains
Metrolink trains travel north and south from the Antelope Valley to San Diego, and east to west from Ventura County to San Bernardino. The Ventura County Line services the Northridge Metrolink station, with commuter service between east Ventura and Los Angeles Union Station. CSUN offers free weekday morning and afternoon shuttle service between campus and the Northridge Metrolink station. Metrolink offers a 50% student discount.
Area Eateries
Whatever the craving, you’re likely to find it nearby!
Armenian? Chinese? Indian? Korean? Mediterranean? Mexican? Traditional American comfort food? Enjoy tastes from around the world — no passport required! Many locations near campus offer a student discount. Be sure to get your CSUN MataCard!
Here are a few of our local favorites:
Emle’s Restaurant
American comfort food with a Mediterranean flair.
Kickin’ KAsian
Cajun seafood boil meets Asian fusion!
Lemon Zest
Modern Mediterranean with Greek, Middle Eastern and Persian influences.
Les Sisters’ Southern Kitchen
Louisiana Cajun and Creole meets Southern soul food.
Porto’s Bakery
Cuban comfort food — savory plates, flaky pastries and indulgent sweets.
You’ll also find plenty of traditional fast-food options nearby.
If you live off campus but prefer the convenience of enjoying some of your meals at any of CSUN’s Matador Eats dining locations, you can purchase a community dining plan.