Direct AnswerThe city of San Fernando is a separate incorporated city entirely surrounded by Los Angeles. Its historic core centers on the Lopez Adobe (Casa de Lopez, built 1882) - the first two-story adobe residence in the San Fernando Valley and, per the city, the only building in San Fernando on the National Register of Historic Places (listed 1971) - plus the downtown San Fernando Mall. Note: the famous Mission San Fernando Rey de España is in the adjacent Mission Hills community of LA, not in the city of San Fernando. San Fernando is served by LAUSD.

The city of San Fernando is a small, history-rich enclave with its own downtown and one of the Valley's oldest landmarks - and a couple of geography facts worth getting right.

The city and its history

San Fernando is a separate incorporated city, entirely surrounded by the City of Los Angeles. Its historic anchor is the Lopez Adobe (Casa de Lopez) at 1100 Pico Street, built 1882 by Valentin Lopez - the first two-story adobe residence in the San Fernando Valley. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, and per the city's Historic Preservation Element it is currently the only building in the city of San Fernando on the National Register. The San Fernando Mall (a reconfigured downtown corridor) and the San Fernando Library (opened 1914 as a county library branch) round out the historic core.

Geography to get right: the famous Mission San Fernando Rey de España is in the adjacent Mission Hills community of Los Angeles - not inside the city of San Fernando. The city is named for the Mission, but the Mission itself sits just over the line in Mission Hills.

Schools

The city of San Fernando is served by LAUSD. San Fernando High School (11133 O'Melveny Ave, established 1896) serves the San Fernando/Pacoima community; its campus is in the adjacent Pacoima area. Confirm the exact attendance area for a specific address with the LAUSD School Finder.

For buyers

San Fernando's older housing stock and walkable downtown appeal to buyers who want character and a distinct small-city identity within the Valley. Historic and older homes can carry permit/systems considerations - I help buyers check those before contingencies are removed.

See also: San Fernando real estate · Mission Hills Catholic community.

Primary sources: Wikipedia - Lopez Adobe · Wikipedia - San Fernando, California · San Fernando High School (LAUSD)