North Hills, California - Definition and Overview

North Hills is one of the oldest communities in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Formerly known as Sepulveda, it was named after the Sepulveda family, which have roots back to the founding of Los Angeles. Sepulveda Boulevard runs north-south along the entire populated section of Los Angeles County, from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach. The community was renamed North Hills in 1992 to avoid the seamy reputation it has gained over the years.

Ironically, an increase in prostitution, drug and gang activity in the 1990s wound up giving North Hills a seamier reputation than it ever had when it was called Sepulveda. The area continues to be one of the most troubled areas of the San Fernando Valley. Predominately white non-Latino before the 1990s, the area is now heavily Latino.