North Ranch
Located just north of Westlake, North Ranch is an idyllic community nestled within its own valley, just outside of the Conejo Valley. With its own community park, direct access to the shopping and dining in Thousand Oaks, and within easy reach of all that greater Ventura County has to offer, North Ranch is an incredible place to call home. The area is also home to over 300 custom-designed homes, which means no two are alike. Of course, the neighborhood shares the wider area’s incredible natural backdrop – the Santa Monica Mountains, rolling hills, and more.
North Ranch at a Glance
- Covers 4,700 acres of rolling hills
- Lots of well-developed hiking and biking trails
- Located just minutes from the Pacific Ocean
- A good mix of younger families and older residents
- Multiple community density levels, including very low, low, medium, and high density
- Access to the North Ranch Country Club, which offers:
- A Ted Robinson-designed course
- 27 challenging holes
- 6,800 yard par-72 golf course
- 12 tennis courts
- A separate golf clubhouse and tennis clubhouse
History
Originally, the area that would eventually become North Ranch, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, and Lake Sherwood was home to the Chumash Tribe. Today, 17 Chumash sites can still be viewed and explored. In the late 1700s, the Spanish explored the area, with many settling in Rancho Simi, as well as other areas. In the late 1800s, the area that would become Westlake Village was sold to the Russel brothers, who set up a successful cattle ranch. Eventually, the land was sold to William Randolph Hearst, and then again to Fred Albertson.
For most of its history, North Ranch remained part of Westlake Village, but when the latter was annexed by Thousand Oaks (first in 1968 and the remainder in 1972), North Ranch remained unincorporated. It was finally annexed by Thousand Oaks in 1973.
Throughout the early and mid-1900s, North Ranch, Westlake Village, and Thousand Oaks played a central role in Hollywood movie and television productions. The Lake Sherwood area was home to Robin Hood-related productions, and North Ranch and its environs played host to numerous westerns. Nearby Thousand Oaks was also home to a thriving exotic animal zoo founded by Louis Goebel. Originally called Goebel’s Lion Farm, it eventually evolved into Goebel's Wild Animal Farm, and then into Jungleland USA, before eventually closing due to pressure from Disneyland and other area attractions.
Today, North Ranch offers proximity to all that Westlake Village has to offer, including shopping and dining, as well as the larger city of Thousand Oaks. Of course, Los Angeles is just a short drive away, as the county line runs almost through the center of Westlake Village.
A Quick Look at North Ranch Area Schools
North Ranch residents are served by the Conejo Valley Unified School District. Which is rated as one of the best districts in California. Students will attend one of three schools:
- Westlake Elementary School – 580 students attend this school, with a student/teacher ratio of 21:1. It scores a 9 out of 10 with GreatSchools.
- Colina Middle School – Colina Middle School educates slightly more than 1,000 students, with a student/teacher ratio of 24:1. It receives a GreatSchools rating of 6 out of 10.
- Westlake High School – Westlake High School houses over 2,300 students and has a student/teacher ratio of 26:1. Its GreatSchools score is 8 out of 10.
Real Estate in North Ranch
While much of the Conejo Valley offers access to a wide range of architectural styles, North Ranch truly delivers unique options. With only 300 homes, and all of them being custom-designed, you can find almost anything that might speak to your sense of aesthetics.
Price
When it comes to price, you’ll find that North Ranch homes range from $1 million and up, which means there’s something for almost every budget within this charming area.
Home Types
Most of the homes within North Ranch are single-family homes with at least some yard space. The homes range from comfortable to spacious and even expansive, with options for growing families, couples, empty nesters, and everyone else. Many homes are available with four, five, or more bedrooms, and four or more bathrooms, plus other niceties, like swimming pools and tennis courts. The one thing you’ll find when exploring these gorgeous properties is that no two are alike.
Geography
Geography is one of the major influences in North Ranch home design and real estate. The area is technically a small valley in its own right, but it is filled with rolling hills and arroyos, all set against the backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains.
An Idyllic Place to Live
North Ranch offers seclusion from the world, tucked away within its own little valley and nestled against the flanks of the Santa Monica Mountains. With over 300 custom-designed homes on offer, a community center and park, plus the golf, tennis, and other attractions found at the North Ranch Country Club, it is an idyllic place to call home. Contact our office to schedule an appointment to discuss your needs and learn more about available properties.