The tour was conducted as part of the National Trust Conference held in Los Angeles and was repeated as a two day self-driving event for the general public. The tour was aided by a well-researched printed guide and included docent guided tours at several specific sites.

The San Fernando Valley was one of the first 'planned' communities in the Postwar (Post World War II) in the United States. The explosion of affordable and family-centered communities in the Valley produced one of the best examples of Postwar living - quickly copied all over the world.

The catalyst for this rapid development came from three sources: first, was the influx of ex-GI's who had seen Southern California during and shortly after World War II; second, was the existence of several key industries such as aerospace and entertainment; and third was the enormous expanse of land available for affordable housing and commercial enterprises. Commercial development began in the East Valley: North Hollywood, Burbank, and Studio City areas, and expanded westward in the ensuing years. The Valley quickly became one of the major suburban concentrations of population in the Los Angeles area.