Westlake Village
Divided by the Los Angeles County and Ventura County line, Westlake Village is an incredible place to live, work, and play. Residents can reach the Pacific Ocean within mere minutes, but there’s more than enough within the area to occupy your time, from boating and swimming to shopping and dining, world-class golfing, hiking and biking, and so much more. A master-planned community dating back to the mid-1900s, Westlake Village combines the benefits and attractions of a large city with village-style living set against the backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Westlake Village at a Glance
- Covers 18 square miles of rolling hills and lakeshore
- Established in the 1960s as a master-planned community
- Within easy reach of multiple golf courses, as well as additional lakes
- Single-family homes and townhomes available
- Ample high-end shopping, dining, and other commercial outlets in town
- Multiple park areas and greenbelts, including hiking and biking trails
- Nationally-recognized schools
- Set between the Simi Hills and the Santa Monica Mountains
The History of Westlake Village
For thousands of years, the area around what would one day become Westlake Village was home to Native American tribes, notably the Chumash. Many sites (17) still exist in the area, primarily south in Lake Sherwood. In the late 1700s, the Spanish explored the area, renaming it and leading to its settlement.
Roughly a century later, California joined the Union as the 31st state, and the land that would be developed as Westlake Village was purchased by the Russell brothers and transformed into a large, thriving cattle ranch. According to historians, the brothers paid just $2.50 per acre.
The land was sold again in 1925, this time to William Randolph Hearst, and then again in 1943. Much of the area was then used by the Albertson Company as a “movie ranch”. Many iconic TV shows and movies were filmed in the area, including the likes of Gunsmoke, Buck Rogers, and Robin Hood.
It was not until 1963 that Westlake Village first came to be. It was then that the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company purchased 12,000 acres. The company worked with Prudential to create a master-planned community with the idea of a “city in the country” – that principle remains visible throughout Westlake Village today, as it manages to fuse big-city attractions with the stunning natural beauty that Southern California is famed for around the world.
Westlake Village took shape under the guidance of some of the world’s leading architects, engineers, and city planners. Today, it is home to award-winning neighborhoods, is home to nationally-recognized schools, and also ranks as one of the best places to live, work, and play in the United States, much less Southern California.
The area is home to many top employers, including Bank of America, Move, Dole, Farmers Insurance, Costco, K-Swiss, Securitas, Guitar Center, and more. It’s also home to two iconic resorts – Westlake Village Inn and Four Seasons.
Schools in Westlake Village
The residents of the City of Westlake Village (the L.A. side) are served by three schools within the Las Virgenes Unified School District, and the Ventura County side is served by three schools within the Conejo Valley Unified School Districts. Both school districts are notable for being recognized across the country for the quality of their education and are considered among the best in Southern California.
Exploring Your Real Estate Options in Westlake Village
Westlake Village spans 18 square miles and consists of numerous neighborhoods. Whether you’re looking for a cozy home on the lake, an expansive house adjacent to world-class golfing, or something completely different, you will find it here.
Westlake Village South
This is the area to go for world-class dining, as well as to enjoy local wineries and craft breweries. It’s also home to plenty of jogging trails and is highly walkable, so it’s a great fit for active lifestyles, too.
Lakeside Westlake Village
Westlake Village is nestled between the foothills and the mountains, but the lake is at its heart. This neighborhood offers easy access to the water, but also provides plenty of walkability. Shopping centers, dining options, and other attractions are located here, too. The homes here differ considerably from what you’ll find with modern housing developments, as each home tends to be rather unique, the yards are larger than today’s norm, and there are ample luxury home options available.
North Ranch
While North Ranch is often seen as a distinct entity, it is actually part of Westlake Village. Here, you’ll find hills and arroyos the dominant geography, with homes set on hillsides with stunning views across the valley. North Ranch is also home to the North Ranch Country Club, estate-style homes, and ample hiking, biking, and walking opportunities. There is no dominant style of architecture here, and all 300 homes are custom-designed. Interspersed with single-family homes, you’ll find townhomes and duplexes.
Lake Living
While Westlake Village offers ample lake living, you’ll also find additional options in Lake Sherwood, where luxury homes abound. This neighborhood is primarily residential, with few commercial properties, but everything that Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, and greater Ventura County have to offer is just minutes away.
Golf Communities
If there is one thing more iconic about the Conejo Valley than lakeside living, it’s golf. You will find that Lake Sherwood, North Ranch, and Westlake Golf Course all offer access to world-class golfing, as well as other amenities.
An Amazing Place to Call Home
With all that it offers, Westlake Village is an amazing place to call home. From expansive, high-end properties to luxury lakeside homes, incredible dining and shopping opportunities, to world-class golf and tennis, you can find it all right here.
A master-planned community dating back to the mid-1900s, Westlake Village combines the benefits and attractions of a large city with village-style living set against the backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains. The close-knit community of Westlake is a peaceful one. Most of the residents own their own homes and the village is filled with quaint coffee shops, parks, and restaurants. The nature of the village layout at its core provides the feeling of spacious living as is dictated in the options available in the range of Westlake Village homes for sale.
Westlake Village real estate offers a lifestyle
Westlake Village is located close enough for Los Angeles commuters to enjoy a wonderful work-life balance and far enough away from the city to be the ideal escape. Commonly known as a beautiful place to raise a family or to retire with the benefits of nature and clean air, away from the city, the choices of Westlake Village real estate offer something for everyone. There is plenty to do for outdoor enthusiasts in Westlake Village and nearby Thousand Oaks provides added nightlife and entertainment. If you are considering Westlake Village homes for sale, then you are considering the kind of lifestyle that could keep you and your loved ones happy and entertained for a lifetime.
The nature of Westlake Village
As the name suggests, the central focal point of Westlake is the large man-made lake which the suburb is built around. A life in Westlake Village offers peace and tranquility combined with stunning views of the nearby Santa Monica Mountains and a slew of nature-based activities to participate in. Encompassing the true spirit from the mountains to the sea, the nearby beaches offer the potential for relaxing family days while the opportunities for outdoor pursuits are another big drawcard for the more active local residents.
Events in Westlake Village
As a tight community, when you become a part of the Westlake Village real estate market, you open yourself up to becoming a member of an active local community. The people of Westlake love a good celebration and the range of local events throughout the year offer endless forms of community entertainment. With the nature of the landscape, Westlake Village hosts a range of charitable sporting events throughout the year which are complemented by street festivals, community galas and so much more.