About the Westlake Village, Moorpark and Dos Vientos, CA Area 

Westlake Village 

The City of Westlake Village has become a famous model for a planned community concept and is truly one of America’s finest suburbs and the best place for one to live and raise a family. It is beautifully situated between the Simi Hills on the north and the Santa Monica Mountains on the south and on the west side of a lake (hence its name). It is about 900 feet above sea level. The neighbor hoods are beautiful with plenty of trees, green grass and hills. The city was originally started with a well-conceived master plan and kept environmentally and aesthetically pleasing to all with its community programs that serve the education and welfare of the whole community. Westlake Village residents boast a high quality of life in every respect. High quality services for businesses and residents are offered by public and private agencies that are overseen by the City Council. Development is measured carefully while encouraging businesses. Crime is consistently one of the lowest in the country under the protection of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Residents cherish their peace and quiet and you will too. 

Westlake Village provides excellent schools for its children. Westlake Village is a very family oriented community with a multiple of programs for children throughout the summer-camps, sports, enrichment programs on such subjects as ceramics, magic, animals, science, games, theatre, and children’s theatre groups throughout the year, sports and recreation, festivals for the whole family to enjoy that honor the city’s past and easy access to the many theme parks that are in the surrounding areas, including Disneyland and Raging Waters (a water park). 

Westlake Village has a population of about 8,000 or more citizens. It comprises an area of 5.2 square miles. Because of its geography and location, it has a mild climate year round. Average winter temperatures range between 42 and 69 degrees and average summer temperatures range between 52 and 82 degrees. With the cool breezes from the ocean in the summer, temperatures can be kept 10 degrees cooler than hotter spots in the valleys and with cleaner air. There is a range of outdoor activities and recreation to participate in throughout the year. Hiking, biking and horseback riding is accessible any time on the trails of the surrounding open space. Westlake Village borders a 150-acre lake, which boasts bass, bluegill and catfish. Residents are able to use the docking facilities, get fishing licenses, sail and fish. Many golf courses are nearby. There is also the huge expanse of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational area for you to enjoy. Beaches are only 20 minutes away for surfing, swimming or sunbathing. Bird watching is a favorite along the beaches. Whale watching is a great sport in the Channel Islands just 12 miles off the coast. Sports fishing and tours of the Islands and marine sanctuary are available. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also available around the sea caves and coves of the Islands. Camping and hiking is permitted on the Islands, and boating and kayaking are fun to do there too. 

Major sports events are held nearby at the many colleges and universities and in the professional teams home parks, including such teams as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Angels. In and around Westlake Village, there are a number of local symphonies, performances, art shows, galleries, chorale performances, concerts and festivals as well as being nearby the metropolitan area of Los Angeles with its multiple opportunities in the arts and theatre and also to the north in Santa Barbara. 

LOCATION
Westlake Village is halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara off of Highway 101, in Southern California, situated on the west side of a man-made lake. It is also near Highway 23. It is on the western edge of Los Angeles County, 38 miles west of downtown Los Angeles and 9 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. 

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Westlake is located right off of Highway 101 or the Ventura Freeway with easy access to all parts of southern California. There are three airports in the area: Los Angeles International Airport, Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport and Oxnard Airport. Airport shuttle services, vans and limousine services can get you to and from Los Angeles International and Burbank Airports. 

Westlake Village also has a bus system for the schools and a service called “Teens Recreation Subsidized Service” to get them to extra-curricular activities after school. There are also taxis and bus system within the local area. Rapid Transit Service provides bus routes to the Los Angeles area. Metrolink commuter rail lines connect you in Ventura County with 4 other counties with a station in nearby Moorpark. The Greyhound Bus lines run through Ventura County and can get you anywhere you want to go. 

BRIEF HISTORY
The original inhabitants of the Westlake Village area were the Chumash Indians. In 1770 the Spanish explorers first came through the area under the leadership of Captain Gaspar de Portola and camped near where Westlake Village stands today. Rancho Simi was the largest land grant when the Spaniards first settled in the area. In 1850, when California became a state, 19 families divided the area known now as Ventura County. Westlake Village was part of 2 of the ranchos-Rancho El Conejo and Rancho Las Virgenes. In 1881, the Russell Brothers bought a huge parcel of the land for $2.50/acre to start a cattle ranch. In 1925, the ranch changed hands and was purchased by William Randolph Hearst. It was sold again in 1943 and part of the ranch continued to be leased by the Russell Family for their cattle ranching and the rest of it was used for movie filming. A number of movies, including Robin Hood, Laredo and various TV series episodes from such shows as Gunsmoke, Bonanza and Buck Rogers, to name a few. 

In 1963, the 12,000-acre ranch was bought by an enterprising American-Hawaiian Steamship Company who wanted to create a city in the country. In a team with Prudential Insurance Company, the Steamship Company hired the needed professionals to create a city in the country and make a dream come true- a consciously planned-out community. The City of Westlake Village has become a famous model for a planned community concept and is truly one of America’s finest suburbs and the best place for one to live and raise a family.  

In 1981, the original planned community was divided by the County lines of Los Angeles County and Ventura County. The 3,456 acres on the Los Angeles County side was incorporated as the City of Westlake Village in 1981. The remaining 8,000 or more acres was designated to Ventura County and was incorporated into the City of Thousand Oaks in two sections, one in 1968 and one in 1972. 

Moorpark 

The City of Moorpark is a tree-lined city and surrounded by scenic farms and citrus groves giving it a rural atmosphere. The Pacific Ocean is only 25 minutes away and the mountains are nearby for hikes, picnics and relaxation in the natural scenery. It is south of Los Padres National Forest and Angeles National Forest and is north of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The residents enjoy their close-knit friendly community and proudly participate in all its activities. They readily come together to help one another. Being a volunteer is highly valued in this community. The community itself offers activities and education of all kinds for all ages, and cares about its environment and quality of life here. There are 15 parks available for public use and any of them can also be reserved for private use. Moorpark was incorporated in 1983, becoming the 10th city in Ventura County, and with its growing population of up to 35,000 people is considered one of the safest cities of its size in America and has the lowest number of serious crimes in Ventura County. It is located between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara next to Simi Valley and off of highways 118 and 23. 

Moorpark is a beautiful city and setting in which to raise a family. Moorpark is a unique community, maintaining its charm since the early 1900’s. Moorpark has been a planned community from the very beginning preserving its valued small town feeling while following the leadership of a progressive City Council and various commissions, which foster business and industry.  

Moorpark has a reputation for excellent schools. The High School’s Academic Decathlon Team has won the National Championships title in 1999 and 2003. They also won State and Division 1 titles in 2002. Moorpark College is an accredited two-year college with a unique department for Animal Training and Management for Zoos. It has its own on-site zoo, which is open to the public-nothing like on the job training for your education. It is also the subject of a prime time television series. Moorpark College also has its own public observatory for the departments of physics and astronomy. Other colleges nearby include Pepperdine, Oxnard, California Lutheran University, and California State Universities at Northridge and at Channel Islands. Schools in a wider radius would include University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Southern California (USC), University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), Harvey Mudd, and many more. The climate in Moorpark is very mild and affords many days of the year to spend time in the out of doors. Highs range from 67 to 86 degrees and the lows range between 43 and 52 degrees. There is only an average of about 15.85 inches of rain each year. The beaches are close by to enjoy as well as hiking, horseback riding and picnics in the nearby National Forests and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Six Flags Magic Mountain is nearby off of Interstate 5. Major theme parks, including Disneyland, which is only 75 miles away by freeway, are numerous in the Los Angeles and Anaheim areas. There is recreation provided by the city for all ages, with many youth and adult sports programs, activities for seniors, teen programs before and after school. There are tennis courts, golf courses, bicycle trails and many stables and horse clubs to join, all for your enjoyment and leisure time pleasure. 

LOCATION
Moorpark is conveniently located in the southeastern part of Ventura County of Southern California. Highways 118 and 23 go right to the city. These highways afford easy access to Conejo Valley and San Fernando Valley. Interstate 5 is to the east and Highway 101 is very close. Moorpark is 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 65 miles south of Santa Barbara. It is next to Simi Valley. 

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Transportation to and from Moorpark is easy with the various modes of travel available here and in the area. Los Angeles International Airport is 50 miles away. It is only 35 miles to Burbank, Van Nuys and Oxnard commuter airports. 

Local transit lines in Moorpark go hourly to schools, parks, shopping centers, downtown, residential neighborhoods and to get you to Metrolink. Metrolink rail lines in Moorpark can take you anywhere between Oxnard and Los Angeles, including the San Fernando Valley and the Burbank Airport. Southern Pacific and AMTRAK rail lines provide convenient and safe passenger and freight travel. Southern Pacific railroad travels throughout the US and to Canada. AMTRAK travels down south to San Diego and north to Seattle, Washington. The Port of Hueneme is only 30 minutes from Moorpark and is a deep-water port. 

BRIEF HISTORY
Historically, Moorpark’s first residents were the Chumash Indians. In 1775, three Pico Brothers were given part of the Rancho San Jose De Garcia De Simi land grant. In 1842, Don Jose De La Guerra bought the land from the brothers. Later Thomas A. Scott purchased the land in hopes of getting oil from it. When his hopes fell through he began selling parcels of land. In 1887, the Simi Valley Land and Water Company purchased some of the land from him, which included now what is Simi Valley and Moorpark. Robert W. Poindexter received the title to the area that is now Moorpark from the Land and Water Company. He gave Moorpark its name after the Moorpark apricot trees that grew here. He also was the one who planned out the lay of the streets and planted Pepper trees downtown to have beautiful tree-lined streets.  

In 1904, completion of a 7,364-foot tunnel through the Santa Susana Mountains brought the Southern Pacific Railroad to Moorpark and the city grew. The city started with large ranches in a booming agricultural economy. Then cattle raising ranches started converting to growing various crops: beans, citrus fruit, apricots, walnuts and others. With the railroad there the crops could be transported quickly to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles markets. The valley inland climate was ideal for these crops. Soon it was discovered that the area was also excellent for raising poultry. Turkey raising farms (for their meat) and chicken farms (for egg production mostly) sprang up quickly and still play an important role in today’s economy. Small, close-knit neighborhoods also developed bringing the family orientation to Moorpark, which is still highly valued today.  

Growth spurts occurred with each new successful economic change. New industries would attract new people. In 1963, Moorpark College was opened. The city was incorporated in 1983. And for the latest entry into the history of Moorpark: the remains of a body of a mammoth were uncovered in the foothills of Moorpark in 2005 when an excavation occurred for a housing development. It is believed to be quite an old mammoth. 

Dos Vientos 

Dos Vientos Ranch is an up and coming upscale development within the city limits of the City of Thousand Oaks in Ventura County. It is 2 miles off of Highway 101. It is a master-planned community with high-class amenities. Living in Dos Vientos will give you breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains of Santa Monica while being surrounded by the rolling hills of Thousand Oaks. Dos Vientos Ranch is a 2,300-acre development community offering a great deal of peace and quiet with its wide-open spaces, and ocean breezes. The open space program will preserve 50% of the land in its natural state. When the development is completed it will have miles of trails for hiking, biking and horse back riding, an elementary school, a day care, and 50 acres of park and playing fields-all that a family could ask for. 

Thousand Oaks residents are very environmentally conscious and among other things, preserve and protect the oak trees in the area. There are about 125,000 residents of Thousand Oaks. As part of the City of Thousand Oaks, you will have access to many shopping centers and upscale shops, restaurants, and excellent schools. Thousand Oaks is rated in the top ten communities for academic achievement, with several highly rated colleges and universities nearby. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza hosts musicals, concerts, entertainers, choirs and dance recitals. The City of Thousand Oaks sponsors over 25,000 recreational programs each year within its 40 parks, 5 ball fields and 1 district park. There are 14,800 acres of open space and 75 miles of trails. Residents are safe in Thousand Oaks, as it is one of the safest cities of its size in the US. 

“Conejo Days” celebrates the valley’s history with real live cowboys and other events the whole family will enjoy. Ronald Reagan Library and Museum is in Thousand Oaks. Beautiful, mild weather year round with average temperatures ranging from 53 degrees to 72 degrees gives you the opportunity to take advantage of all the outdoor recreational activities throughout the year. Thousand Oaks is on the other side of the 150-acre lake from where Westlake Village is. Residents are able to use the docking facilities, get fishing licenses, sail and fish. Golf courses are plentiful as are the beaches, which are close by to enjoy surfing, swimming or sunbathing. Bird watching is a favorite along the beaches. Whale watching is a great sport in the Channel Islands just 12 miles off the coast. Sports fishing and tours of the Islands and marine sanctuary are available. Snorkeling and scuba diving are available around the sea caves and coves of the Islands. Camping and hiking is permitted on the Islands, and boating and kayaking are fun to do there too. There is hiking, horseback riding and picnics in the nearby National Forests and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Six Flags Magic Mountain is nearby off of Interstate 5. Major theme parks, including Disneyland, which is only 75 miles away by freeway, are numerous in the Los Angeles and Anaheim areas.  

LOCATION
Dos Vientos Ranch is located in attractive Conejo Valley in the City of Thousand Oaks. It is 2 miles off of Highway 101 in Ventura County about halfway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Interstate Highway 5 is to the east. Thousand Oaks is 12 miles inland and is 900 feet above sea level. It is 24 miles southeast of Port Hueneme, a deep-water port. Dos Vientos in Thousand Oaks is easily accessible to and from anywhere in Southern California. 

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
There are three airports in the area: Los Angeles International Airport, Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport and Oxnard Airport. Airport shuttle services, vans and limousine services can get you to and from Los Angeles International and Burbank Airports. 

Thousand Oaks also has a bus system for the local area and taxis are available. Rapid Transit Service provides bus routes to the Los Angeles area. Metrolink commuter rail lines connect you in Ventura County with 4 other counties with a station in nearby Moorpark. The Greyhound Bus lines run through Ventura County and can get you anywhere you want to go.  

BRIEF HISTORY
Over millions of years ago, the area of Dos Vientos and Thousand Oaks was believed to be under water. Volcanoes and natural forces over time gradually formed the California coast and raised it above the water. 7,000 years ago the ancient inhabitants were the Oak Grove people. The Chumash Indians settled there 3,000 years ago in 40 villages, living on grains and acorns and small game animals. In 1542, the area was claimed for the King of Spain. The area remained untouched by the Spanish until the Spanish explorers and missionaries came two and half centuries later. In the early 1880’s, 48,000 acres were given to two loyal Spanish soldiers. One of the grants included Conejo (rabbit) Vallejo in which Thousand Oaks is located today. Cattle ranching started on this land until the later 1880’s when it was parceled up into smaller ranchos. 

The City of Thousand Oaks, of which Dos Vientos Ranch is a part of, was started in the 1900’s by the Janss family, developers of several Southern California subdivisions. They purchased 10,000 acres of farmland and started planning a community. Field crops, chicken and hog farming were scattered around the area. When the highway was first built through the area, the first tourists came for a day in the country. Then people began to settle in the area. Around the 1950’s, the Janss family got more serious about taking everything into account for the planned community. In ten years, the town developed more with 2 shopping centers, schools, churches, industrial center and a liberal arts college (4 year). Residents were attracted to life in a rural community. 

In 1964, the City of Thousand Oaks was incorporated and with a name to honor the beautiful oak trees all around. The City followed a general plan to accommodate business, industrial areas, shopping centers, schools, residential areas, open space and parks in a balanced mix to maintain a high quality of life and preserve its natural beauty and resources. 

It's my job to know EVERYTHING about Westlake Village, Moorpark and Dos Vientos! Ask me any question. Or request a FREE information package. There's no obligation, and I promise to get back to you quickly...