Burbank[1] is a small city located in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California. It is known as the "Media Capital of the World" and is home to the headquarters of Warner Brothers, NBC Universal, and Disney.
Although commonly thought to be named for notable agricultural researcher Luther Burbank, the city is actually named after its founder David Burbank, a dentist and entrepreneur.
Burbank has its own airport, Bob Hope Airport (BUR) [2]. Air taxi and air charter companies such as Great Circle Aviation[3] fly into Bob Hope Airport for small groups and individuals.
To get between BUR and Burbank and Los Angles:
Metrolink and Amtrak - Burbank is the only Airport in the LA Area that has a train station near by an Airport. The Station is near by the Airport by walking distance, however, free shuttle buses to the Airport is available. Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight train stops at Burbank Airport. At least 10 trains from Amtrak stops in this station while there's 29 stopping at the station as well durring the weekdays. The Metrolink trains don't stop at the station durring the weekends and on Major Holidays, and thus, Amtrak is your only option but there's only 5 trains stop at the station
By Bus - There is no muncipal buses that stop at Burbank, but the MTA offeres bus service to the corner of Hollywood Way and Thornton Ave using the 94, 169 (on Weekends and Holidays), 222 (as the region's only route direct bus route from Hollywood), and the 794 bus. The Burbank Bus also serves Bob Hope Airport by the Noho-Empire line.
Burbank has a low-cost bus system, Burbank Bus [4], with multiple routes throughout the city. As of June 2007, fares are at $1. Transfers from the Los Angeles-wide MTA bus and rail system are accepted. The MTA also runs some services into Burbank.
As with Los Angeles, most tend to drive, and if you may find yourself the only one heading to the bus stop after your TV taping or studio tour.
A train station served by Metrolink[5] is located across from the Burbank Media Center on the other side of the 5 freeway. Pedestrian access is via Olive Avenue bridge across the freeway and rail tracks. A second station is located next to Bob Hope Airport.
Television Show Tapings. TV audiences are needed for tapings of all manner of television productions. You can get tickets online and free of charge 30 days prior to the date of the taping [6].
Pickwick Gardens[7]. Very attractive place, but don't forget to visit the ice rink and the bowling alley.
Warner Brothers VIP Studio Tour, 3400 Riverside Dr., (818) 972-8687, [8]. M-F from 8:30AM until 4:00PM (extended hours in summer). Tours are conducted in twelve-person carts that visit the backlot sets, soundstages, production facilities, and the Warner Brothers museum. Reservations are offered for the first three tours each day and for the following day's tours, otherwise tours are on a first-come, first-served basis. $39 per person for the two hour and fifteen minute long standard tour, with a five hour deluxe tour offered for $125 per person.
NBC Studios, 3000 West Alameda Ave, 818-840-3537. They shoot "The Tonight Show" here, as well as a number of other TV shows. NBC has a tour-- $7.50 per person, so kind of a bargain.
Burbank Media Center, (aka "beautiful downtown Burbank" as heard on the 60s show "Laugh In") - shops, movie theaters, eateries, etc. all on San Fernando by the mall. Take the 5 and get off on the "Olive" exit. That should put you in the thick of things.
Martial Arts History Museum, 2319 W. Magnolia Blvd., ☎ 818 478-1722, [9]. 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM, Thursday thru Sunday. The World's First Martial Arts History Museum is a cultural and educational look at how Asian history became part of American history through the martial arts.$6 Adults, $3 Children (6-12). (,The museum takes about 40 minutes to visit)edit
Dark Delicacies, 3512 W. Magnolia Boulevard, ☎ 1-888-DARK-DEL, [10]. T-F 10AM-7PM, Sa-Su 11AM-6PM, closed M. The U.S.'s only all-horror bookstore. The owners are very friendly and anything horror-related will be here. Weekly signings (especially on Saturdays).edit
Bob's Big Boy - 4211 W Riverside Dr, (818) 843-9334 - The oldest remaining Bob's, built in the 1950s. A national landmark, this diner is located a short distance from the Warner Brothers Studio main gate, and celebrity sightings are common. Drew Carey in particular is seen frequently eating burgers here.
The Blue Room, 916 S San Fernando Blvd (323) 849-2779 - a kitchy bar where the locals hang out. Everything is colored blue, and the drinks are cheap. Featured in a bunch of movies.
The Park Bar & Grill, 2007 W. Burbank Blvd (818) 557-6561 - A must-visit bar for Eastside LA Packer fans! A dive/sports bar with pool tables and TVs. Serves bar food and breakfast (during football season). Gets crowded for big Packer games and Monday night football.
Best Western Media Center Inn & Suites, 3910 W Riverside Drive, (818) 842-1900, Fax: (818) 842-1990, [11]. Rates from $120 to $275+ per night.
Courtyard Los Angeles Burbank Airport, 2100 Empire Avenue, (818) 843-5500, Fax: (818) 843-2700, [12].
The Graciela Burbank, 322 North Pass Avenue, Ph: (818) 842-8887, Reservations: (888) 956-1900, Fax: (818) 260-8999, [13]. An upscale hotel located near NBC and Warner Brothers studios and catering to business travelers. Rates from $160 to $275+ per night.
Holiday Inn, 150 E. Angeleno, (818) 841-4770, [14]. Located in downtown Burbank close to shopping and restaurants.
Quality Inn Burbank, 2255 N. Buena Vista St., Ph: (818) 848-1680, Fax: (818) 848-4024, [15]. Located only a half mile from the airport, this hotel is a bit run-down but is near the freeway and within driving distance of all major sites. Rates from $82 to $120 per night.
'Safari Inn, 11911 W. Olive Ave Ph. 818-845-8586. Small 50s or 60s-style hotel with palm trees and kind of a hip kitch. If you saw Quentin Tarantino's movie "True Romance", you'll recognize it.
'Ramada Inn - Burbank Airport, [16] 2900 N. San Fernando Blvd Ph. 818-843-5955. 1.5 miles from the Burbank Airport. Close to Burbank Media Center and all major freeways.
Burbank Downtown Residence Inn, 321 South First Street, ☎ 8182608787, [17]. Minutes away from Bob Hope Airport. 166 guest suites, with full size kitchens, separate living and sleeping areas, free in-room wireless high speed internet and iPod docking stations.edit
Marriott Burbank Airport, 2500 Hollywood Way, ☎ 818-843-6000, [18]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 12PM. 488 rooms including 20 PURE allergy friendly rooms. 46,000 feet of meeting space.edit
