Lake Sherwood

Lake Sherwood and Sherwood Valley take their name from the oldest man-made lake in California and it is central to the history and development of the area. Built in 1904 and over 165 acres in size, Sherwood residents enjoy the shimmering beauty of the lake amid volcanic islands and mountains that surround it. Fishing, sailing, party-boat yachting and kayaking are lake activities and two marinas serve the residents of the community. The lake was first known as Potrero Lake, then became Canterbury Lake. With the 1921 filming of Robin Hood starring Douglas Fairbanks Sr, the name was permanently changed to Lake Sherwood. Numerous other films and TV programs have and are filmed in the Sherwood area.

For many years, Lake Sherwood was a treasured summer retreat or weekend getaway to people from L.A. Quietly, a small community evolved. Then, in 1986, David Murdock, resident of Hidden Valley, purchased the lake and surrounding acres and the plan for the creation of Sherwood Country Club began. It is a private gated community where over 650 homes will exist when completed within the next decade. Sherwood has 2 private golf clubs and 2 private golf courses ? Sherwood Country Club and Sherwood Lake Club ? and opportunities for outdoor recreation and fun with the surrounding open space, parks, walking paths, and more.

Hidden Valley

"You always know that you are home when a house speaks to you - and they do speak, the best of them". That quote from A Heartfelt Home symbolizes Hidden Valley ..... a magical place that speaks in gentle whispers .... that alludes to the past and to a more graceful time.

Hidden Valley, just 45 minutes from Los Angeles or Santa Barbara, and just up the road from ~(1 Lake Sherwood, is an enclave of spectacular farms and estates. Down winding roads lined with ancient oaks, past rolling green pastures with white fences and world-class equestrian facilities, through lush hills and the splendor of the rugged Santa Monica Mountains, one will find Hidden Valley.

Home to fewer than 40 families, each on a minimum of 20 acres, Hidden Valley is its own peaceful, pastoral world - close to all amenities but private as the quiet wind. Today, Hidden Valley is often the choice location for business, entertainment, and sports figures who which the privilege of privacy amid the bounty of nature.

Westlake Village

Westlake Village, the "city in the country" with beautiful neighborhoods surrounded by hillsides and mountains. Straddling both Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Westlake Village began as one of the first master-planned California communities in the mid 1960s and continues to be a wonderful place to live, with friendly people everywhere.

Designed around lovely man-made Westlake lake with an island of lakeside homes in the middle and marina and yacht club, Westlake Village is a wonderful mix of cul-de-sac streets, parks, hiking, biking. boating and equestrian trails.

On any day you will see residents enjoying the outdoors. Try the Farmer's Market each Sunday morning, meet at Starbucks, shop at upscale Gelsons or Sprouts, enjoy the great retail stores, diverse restaurants, and theaters.

Ideal family atmosphere, Westlake Village is famous for excellent public and private schools and growing business opportunities.

North Ranch

North Ranch in Westlake Village is a prestigious, sprawling area directly north of the heart of Westlake Village that features some of the most beautiful lands and homesites in the area. North Ranch has primarily custom homes ranging in size from 3500' to 15,000' in size on 1 acre to 5-acre parcels, designed by famed architects and built by notable builders.

There are many gated enclaves with North Ranch, including Country Club Estates, as well as neighborhoods with single family homes and townhomes. North Ranch Country Club is the centerpiece of North Ranch, known for its 72-hole golf course. Like Westlake Village, North Ranch has superb surroundings, convenient shopping and dining, and the same excellent school system

Thousand Oaks

Thousand Oaks is home to Amgen Inc., the largest biotechnology company in the world, and Ventura County's largest private employer.While the business community is diverse and thriving, its residents repeatedly look for ways to preserve the community's rural past.

The city is surrounded by a ring of open space, and local groups and the city continue to buy more land to save it from development. There are hiking trails in residential neighborhoods and, in some areas, people still keep horses in their backyards. Longtime residents remember Jungleland, where movie studios kept their large animal performers.

Family owned businesses and their simple storefronts have a strong presence along Thousand Oaks Boulevard. However the specialty chains in The Promenade at Westlake, The Lakes, The Oaks shopping center and the Janss Marketplace are the greater draw.

The city is known for its strong school district and is perennially among the safest small cities in America.

Agoura Hills

Good schools, low crime, plenty of open space: The residents of Agoura Hills boast of these virtues when asked about their town. Agoura Hills may be near neighboring Los Angeles, but this town retains its strong rural spirit. Located in the Santa Monica Mountains foothills and just 30 minutes from urban centers, Agoura Hills sits among oak-covered canyons and rolling hillsides.

With mountains to hike or bike through and 80 acres in six parks ranging from those in small neighborhoods to an equestrian center, the town's recreational services provide something for everyone. If it gets too hot, the beach is only a few miles away.

The community, which bills itself as The Gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, sits along the Highway 101 corridor at the western edge of Los Angeles County, giving its more than 20,000 residents easy access to urban entertainment, cultural activities, nearby beaches and open spaces.

Family owned businesses and their simple storefronts have a strong presence along Thousand Oaks Boulevard. However the specialty chains in The Promenade at Westlake, The Lakes, The Oaks shopping center and the Janss Marketplace are the greater draw.

The city is known for its strong school district and is perennially among the safest small cities in America.

Calabasas

Folks in Calabasas like to think of their city as a mountain community, boasting a rustic, small-town feel with bold views of oak-covered hillsides and dramatic open skies.

Residents enjoy living in Calabasas because it is close to Los Angeles, without the the frenzied pace. The town's location also offers quick proximity to the coast beaches that line Malibu and Topanga canyons.

Town fathers have kept a tight rein on growth since it incorporated in 1991. Despite the rural overtones, Calabasas features The Commons at Calabasas, a relatively new 200,000-square-foot shopping center with restaurants, retail and office space, a business park and a community center-health club. Eighteen publicly owned companies, including Countrywide Credit Industries, also have offices in Calabasas. In 2006, the town adopted one of the nation's toughest nonsmoking ordinances, banning smoking in most outdoor public spaces.

Calabasas has also gone from 3 acres to 60 acres of city-owned parkland. Juan De Anza Park offers 200 acres of building and recreation space, and serves as the gateway to the 6,000-acre Malibu Creek State Park.

Calabasas has served as the set for many films and television series, including M*A*S*H. Its known for its annual Pumpkin Festival in October.

Malibu

Everyone knows and loves Malibu! The affluent beachfront city in northwestern Los Angeles County, Malibu is known for its celebrity and cache and, yet, is a city of fewer than 13,000 residents who relish their sense of small-town community.

Incorporated in 1991, Malibu is 21 miles in length and most residents live within close proximity to the Pacific Coast Highway and sandy beaches beyond. The ocean, the backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains and the canyons in between all combine to make the topography and scenic beauty of Malibu unmatched. Home to Pepperdine University, the Getty Villa as well as famous Zuma and, Surfrider Beaches are but a few of the well-known Malibu sites.

Hidden Hills

Hidden Hills is nestled between the foothills of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County and the Ventura County line. Hidden Hills is a 1000 acre gated development with a bit more than 600 homes and 2000 residents that began in 1950.

A decidedly rural and bucolic atmosphere with white split-rail fences, no sidewalks or street lights, Hidden Hills was originally designed for the equestrian lifestyle. With bridle trails throughout the community and immediate access to the Santa Monica Mountains, Hidden Hills remains a favored southern California equestrian community.

Today, sprawling ranch-style homes and Mediterranean estates similarly pepper the area and residents love the privacy and beauty of Hidden Hills.

Newbury Park

Newbury Park is the western-most community in the greater Thousand Oaks area and abuts the Santa Monica National Recreation area so folks come from miles around to enjoy the fabulous parklands that stretch all the way to the coast.

Egbert Starr Newbury owned thousands of acres in the 1870's and gave the name to the community as well as was the first postmaster in the Conejo Valley in 1875.

The majority of the single-family development occurred in the 1950's -1970's in Newbury Park. In recent years, the largest undeveloped parcel became the Dos Vientos Ranch, with homes prized for their Spanish architecture, innovative design, and ideal location with cherished breezes from the Pacific Ocean.

They say the weather is cooler than in the valleys, and a good place to get a view is from Monte Vista Nature Park.

Moorpark

Moorpark is a small town with plenty of character.

For years, this was a rural community where you could see cows grazing along the hills as you drove down Spring Road. Now, Moorpark is home to some of the county's largest employers and Moorpark College, which offers the world-famous Exotic Animal Training and Management program.

Moorpark is still the kind of place where you know the people at the grocery store. However losing the small-town feel doesn't upset residents, who see the greater good in having more conveniences for themselves. Residents consider Moorpark to have nice, clean neighborhoods that are, most importantly, safe.

They say the weather is cooler than in the valleys, and a good place to get a view is from Monte Vista Nature Park.

Camarillo

Geographically located at the heart of Ventura County, Camarillo is one of the area's growing cities. The surrounding hillside is populated with lush farms, unique homes and the Spanish Hills Country Club, while charming neighborhoods lined with trees, parks and greenery are spread out perfectly to fill this peaceful town.

Camarillo Premium Outlets serves as one of the most popular shopping centers in the county, attracting residents throughout the world with its quality clothing shops from name designers such as Gianni Versace and Calvin Klein, along with stores that carry Nike, Sony and other high quality name brands.

California State University, Channel Islands, recently opened in August 2002, giving the county its first four year state university. With Caltrans completing the Lewis Road interchange project, there is better service for drivers on both Highway 1 and 101 to access the University.

Newly constructed neighborhoods continue to bring more residents to town. However, Camarillo city officials are committed to striking a balance between development and its Spanish land grant heritage