Sylmar, Los Angeles

Sylmar
View of western Sylmar, facing north
View of western Sylmar, facing north
Nickname: 
The Top of Los Angeles
Sylmar, as delineated by the Los Angeles Times
Sylmar, as delineated by the Los Angeles Times
Sylmar is located in San Fernando Valley
Sylmar
Sylmar
Location within Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley
Sylmar is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Sylmar
Sylmar
Sylmar (the Los Angeles metropolitan area)
Coordinates: 34°19′N 118°27′W / 34.31°N 118.45°W / 34.31; -118.45
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyLos Angeles
CityLos Angeles
Named forportmanteau of silva and mare, Latin words meaning "forest" and "sea" respectively
Elevation
1,270 ft (390 m)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total79,614

Sylmar is a suburban neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley and is the northernmost neighborhood within the city of Los Angeles.[1] Historically known for its profusion of sylvan olive orchards, Sylmar can trace its past to the 18th century and the founding of the San Fernando Mission. In 1890, olive production was begun systematically. The Sylmar climate was also considered healthy, and so a sanitarium was established, the first in a series of hospitals in the neighborhood. There are fourteen public and eight private schools within Sylmar.