Discovering Culture.

While many people see the San Fernando Valley as one giant strip mall, there are others who perceive culture and history in that suburban landscape.

In fact, the Los Angeles Conservancy has organized a tour of the "Postwar San Fernando Valley" for later this year to celebrate the area's architecture from the 1940s to 1970s.

Participants will see such highlights as the neon circus clown sign that has marked Circus Liquor in North Hollywood for the past half-century. The Woodland Hills Trailer Park and Bob's Big Boy also will be spotlighted.

"People assume the Valley is a cultural void," said tour coordinator Mary-Margaret Stratton, a lifelong Valley resident. "It's my personal intent to rectify that view and show that there are also unique and special buildings. It's not all cookie-cutter, there is some style."

Asked just what Valley style is, Stratton said, "very eclectic."