Westlake Village: How It Began

I remember as a kid driving out to see the Janss Ranch manager, Gene Cleveland, with my father to watch him train the Janss Ranch thoroughbreds at their racetrack in early Spring and Summer, 1950's. There was only a two lane road, the U.S. 101 highway which accessed the Conejo Valley, near the city of Agoura, about 20 minutes North of the San Fernando Valley and less than an hour from downtown Los Angeles. The real estate landscape was incredibly beautiful with colorful poppies strewn along the side of the road, sprawling cattle grazing lands and what seemed like thousands of mature oak trees. The Conejo Valley had little to no urban growth, sparse populace with mostly open space and enormous cattle ranches dating back to the land grant days of yesteryear. Its amazing to think how fast time goes by. I remember the Janss Ranch headquarters was located where now the stunning Oaks Mall sits in all its grandeur.

In the 1960s two powerful and wealthy companies combined to form a partnership to create a new untried concept for City Development. They were before their time in unique out of the box insight. American-Hawaiian Steamship Company and Prudential Insurance purchased over 12,000 acres in the Conejo Valley formerly owned by the Russell Ranch that would become Westlake Village. This was a risky endeavor to say the least. After much interfacing with Los Angeles and Ventura County Planning, developing an architectural design for a first ever planned community concept, Westlake Village became a reality. Not only was there cooperation with two counties involved and then to dig a five mile radius hole in the ground for a man made lake with surrounding award winning tracts of real estate homes, condos, town homes, shopping centers and office building was just never been done before. The Westlake Village Real Estate model has now become the basis for a successful suburb and has been copied throughout the United States. The many neighboring communities of Wood Ranch, Big Sky and Dos Vientos have all followed suit in one way or another.

Today, Westlake Village has just less than 10,000 residents. The residential communities are now out of space for new construction but commercial office buildings are still under construction as I write this article. Again, simply splendid examples of sound beautiful architecture. Westlake Village real estate is truly a self sufficient model that draws people due to its vitality, spacious living, high ranked schools, hospitals, cultural center, upscale shopping centers and many golf courses, tennis courts, parks and swimming clubs.

Reasons to live in Westlake Village

Who Lives in Westlake Village

The Westlake Village annual income generates approximately $175,000 per year. This populace demands a quality of life not seen in other communities. There is safety as a high priority, clean air and water a must, stable residential real estate, cultural activities (Civic Arts Plaza features many top entertainers, concerts and plays), parent involvement in high ranking academic schools, quality restaurants, private and public golf courses, horse facilities (Foxfield jumping horses) professional medical facilities and well educated experienced doctors and nurses. Many residents who commuted to distant cities (35-40 miles) are now able to work within the Conejo Valley due to its growing infrastructure.

Truth be known, Westlake Village residents are into health and good fitness. There are several gyms in the area. Spectrum, 24 Hour Fitness, Total Woman, Westlake Village Tennis and Swim Club, Golds Gym and many others. The Pacific Ocean is approximately 20 minutes from Westlake Village and skiing in snow covered mountains only a couple of hours away.
 

Crime and Safety

The Conejo Valley and Westlake Village proper is considered as a national statistic for being the safest city of its size in America, making Westlake Village real estate a prim location for rasing a family. There is good reason. The Sheriffs Department is located in the Conejo Valley and is sufficiently staffed to protect and serve our fine communities. The Highway Patrol is out in full patrolling our freeways and are frequently seen throughout the community.. Our area freeways have undergone major upgrading, widening of multiple lanes and latest innovative safety features. All that said, it is the many wonderful caring residents that make our Conejo Valley what it is. A very safe environment.
 

Medical, Dental, Hospitals

Also, of prime importance is the medical facilities such as Los Robles Hospital which recently underwent $120,000 million dollar expansion, remodel and upgrading its medical/research equipment. There are many others not mentioned here that are high quality and available. I only mention Los Robles Hospital as an example. I know for myself and my family the importance of having medical/dental healthcare givers in the community is. My dentist is three blocks away from my home. Our general practitioners are all within a few miles and Los Robles Hospital, not more than 10 minutes away. If there is a medical emergency, we would have to fight off the number of paramedics and ambulances that would be at our home in just minutes. Not a bad scenario and 911 is ever present with no wait if one has to call. We love it here!

Conejo Valley In The Early Days