Settled snugly on the western edge of Los Angeles County, the city of Westlake Village is 9 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and 38 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. Occupying only 5.4 square miles, averaging 900 feet above sea level, the community is framed by the Simi Hills to the north and the Santa Monica Mountains to the south.
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Today, a population of 8,500 resides within
this beautiful, natural environment of award-winning neighborhoods,
thriving businesses, and enviable lifestyles. The original
master-planned community of Westlake Village is transected diagonally by
the Los Angeles and Ventura County line. The Los Angeles County side,
consisting of 3,456 acres, was incorporated as the City of Westlake
Village in 1981 and became the 82nd municipality in Los Angeles County. The
Ventura County side, comprised of the remaining 8,544 acres of the
original Russell Ranch, was annexed into the City of
Thousand Oaks in
two portions in 1968 and 1972.
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Today, both sides of Westlake
Village
identify as a single community despite the county boundary
that
separates them. The wisdom of the master planners in preserving, protecting and enhancing the natural environment of the area is evident today in the consistent growth and vitality of Westlake Village. Residents and businesses receive high quality community services operated on a contract basis with private and public agencies and overseen by a 5-member elected City Council and an appointed City Manager. Under the protection of Los Angeles County Sheriff"s Department, the city consistently maintains one of the lowest crime rates in the nation.
Westlake’s 150-acre lake is stocked with
bass, blue gill and catfish. Docking privileges, fishing licenses,
boating and sailing are available to residents. Nearby commercial
harbors offer sports fishing, whale watching and tours to Channel
Islands National Park, five islands that begin just 12 miles off the
mainland, where the marine sanctuary contains giant kelp forests that
shelter more than 1,000 species of ocean life. Hiking and camping is
permitted on all the islands and there are many sea caves and deserted
coves that attract snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as kayaking and
boating.
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Many excellent state and county beaches and campgrounds are scattered along the coastline just 9 miles across the Santa Monica Mountains. Swimmers, sunbathers, and surfers enjoy nearby Malibu, Point Dume, Zuma, Leo Carrillo, County Line, Sycamore Cove and Point Mugu beaches. Birdwatchers can watch migratory birds heading south for the winter, and often spot herons and egrets in the protected areas.
The History of Westlake Village
In 1963, the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company bought the 12,000-acre ranch for $32 million and, in partnership with Prudential Insurance Company, commissioned the preparation of a master plan for a "city in the country". Prominent architects, engineers, and land planners participated in designing a unique, integrated community that has become a nationally acclaimed model for the planned community concept. "The city in the country" was named Westlake Village and soon became recognized as one of America's most successful suburbs and finest areas to live, work and raise a family.
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About 3,000 years ago, Chumash Indians moved
into the region and lived by hunting tabbits and other game, and
gathering grains and acorns. On-going excavations, archaeological sites,
and polychrome rock paintings in the area provide a glimpse into the
social and economic complexity of the ancient Chumash world. In 1770,
Captain Gaspar de Portola led a party of Spanish explorers and
missionaries, traveling north on the route that became known as the El
Camino Real. The party camped near a Chumash village, believed to be the
site of present-day Westlake Village. Father Juan Crespi, chaplain and
diarist of the expedition wrote: "We are on a plain of considerable
extent and much beauty, forested on all parts by live oaks and oak
trees, with much pasturage and water." |
When the Spanish finally did settle the area, they were given huge land grants, the largest of which was Rancho Simi, given to the Pico family. When Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, California became a territory of Mexico, and a few more land grants were given. When California was admitted to the union in 1850, most of the land that later became Ventura County was divided among only 19 families. The picturesque future Westlake Village site among rising knolls, arroyos, barrancas and ancient oaks was recognized as the central part of two Mexican land grants: Rancho El Conejo and Rancho Las Virgenes. In 1881, the Russell brothers purchased a large portion of the land for cattle ranching. According to Patricia Allen, historian and family descendant, Andrew Russell beat the competition in buying the land by racing across 6,000 acres on a fifteen-minute trip in a buckboard, and sealed the deal with a $20 gold piece. The price per acre was $2.50! The area continued to be known as the Russell Ranch although it was sold in 1925 to William Randolph Hearst and again in 1943 to Fred Albertson. The Russell family leased back part of the land to continue their successful cattle ranch operation while the Albertson Company used the vast acreage as a movie ranch. Many movies and television shows were filmed here, including "Robin Hood", "King Rat", "Laredo", and various episodes of "Tarzan", "Buck Rodgers", "Gunsmoke", and "Bonanza".