Mission Hills still has tangible reminders of its beginnings. The San Fernando Mission Rey de Espana founded in 1797 provided the roots of the area. The mission was located in fertile country and quickly became a major supply source for the growing pueblo of Los Angeles. At one time, the mission farms produced olives, dates, barley, wheat, and corn, and housed numerous livestock, including 7,000 sheep. Unfortunately, the mission buildings fell into disuse around 1834 when the secularization of the Catholic Church took place. Many buildings were destroyed for their building materials. During the Mexican-American War, most of the mission lands, which covered much of the San Fernando Valley, were sold for $14,000. John C. Fremont used the Mission itself for his headquarters. The Mission is now open to the public daily. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of furnished rooms, the grounds, and a museum.

The San Fernando Mission Cemetery is adjacent to the Mission. The original cemetery is on the north side of the Mission Church and provided the first burial in 1800, but the current cemetery was founded in 1952. This cemetery serves the Santa Clarita Valley and the entire San Fernando Valley, as well as the surrounding communities.

The Andres Pico Adobe is another historical remnant in Mission Hills. The original part of the building was built in 1834, with the second floor being added in 1873. The Adobe's name refers to Andres Pico, general of the Mexican-California armed forces in the 19th century. Pico occupied and owned a large amount of land in the area, including that on which the Adobe sits. In the 1930s, it was restored by Dr. Mark R. Harrington and has been refurbished by the San Fernando Valley Historical Society, the current owner and occupant. The Andres Pico Adobe is open to the public on Mondays and every third Sunday and is available for special occasions. The Mark R. Harrington Library is open for research by appointment and the rooms of the Adobe feature period clothing and historic artwork.

Mission Hills is also home to the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, created by Luther and Anne Eskijian for the preservation of national Armenian treasures. The Museum is housed in the bottom floor of the Sheen Memorial Chapel, a chapel designed by Luther Eskijian to replicate ancient Armenian churches as closely as possible. The Museum displays world-class art and artifacts of several civilizations, but also contains large displays of Armenian coins, stamps and maps, as well as rare Armenian history books.

Although not as tinged with history as its neighbor Mission Hills, North Hills has plenty to offer in its own right. North Hills is the more modern of the two communities and offers several hotels, a batting cage and a go-cart arena. North Hills residents also have the choice of nationally known chain restaurants or unique local cuisine such as the Argentine restaurant La Proteña or the Mexican restaurant Dos Arbolitos.

North Hills does have the privilege of being home to one of Frank Lloyd Wright, Jr.'s designs, the Howard Greer House, established in 1940. North Hills also features unique spiritual structures. There is a traditional-style Buddhist Meditation Center, as well as "The Onion," the Unitarian-Universalist Society building shaped like its namesake. If you seek further curiosities, you can always visit the large topiary poodle guarding the sidewalk at the corner of Plummer Street and Hayvenhurst.