Westlake Village, California

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Westlake Village
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blank_emblem_size = 116


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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Westlake Village in Los Angeles County, California


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map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = California
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Los Angeles
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Susan McSweeney [cite web | url = http://www.wlv.org/city_hall/mayor.asp | title = City of Westlake Village - Mayor Susan McSweeney | accessdate = 2007-01-18]
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established_title =
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established_title3 = Incorporated (city)
established_date3 = 1981-12-11 [cite web | url = http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/20457.IncorpDateLO.doc | title = Incorporation Dates of California Cities | accessdate = 2007-01-18]
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 14.66
area_total_sq_mi = 5.66
area_land_km2 = 13.50
area_land_sq_mi = 5.21
area_water_km2 = 1.17
area_water_sq_mi = 0.45
area_water_percent = 7.97
area_urban_km2 =
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population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
settlement_type = City
population_total = 8368
population_footnotes = [cite web | url = http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=Westlake%20Village%20city&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010 | title = Westlake Village city, California - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder | accessdate = 2007-01-18]
population_density_km2 = 620.0
population_density_sq_mi = 1605.9
population_metro =
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timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
latd = 34 |latm = 8 |lats = 31 |latNS = N
longd = 118 |longm = 49 |longs = 10 |longEW = W
elevation_m =
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postal_code_type = ZIP Code
postal_code = 91359, 91361-91363 [cite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/zcl_1_results.jsp?visited=1&pagenumber=0&state=ca&city=Westlake%20Village | title = USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results 91362| accessdate = 2007-01-18]
area_code = 805/818
website = [http://www.wlv.org/ http://www.wlv.org/]
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-84438
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
footnotes = Westlake Village is a community which straddles the Ventura and Los Angeles County line, encompassing all of the area surrounding the lake at Westlake, and neighborhoods north of the 101 Freeway as well. A portion of the community is located in Thousand Oaks, in Ventura County. The incorporated portion of Westlake Village is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, USA. The population was 8,368 at the 2000 census. This city located in the Conejo Valley, is known for its affluence and secluded character, and is considered one of the wealthier communities in the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Westlake Village is a planned community built around an artificial lake straddling the Los Angeles-Ventura county line; it is a master-planned suburb of lakeside condos and suburban homes. Like neighboring Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks, its mix of safe streets, good schools, picturesque hillsides, hiking and equestrian trails attract residents seeking serenity.

The original community was divided by the Los Angeles and Ventura County boundary and known simply as "Westlake." In the late 1960s/early '70s, the Ventura County portion, or roughly two-thirds of the community, was annexed by City of Thousand Oaks; in 1981, the remaining third eventually incorporated as the City of Westlake Village. Information in this article applies primarily to the latter incorporated area.

Despite the fact that this community is located in two different counties, and different city governments, most of the residents feel like they belong to one unified, well planned neighborhood. The whole community was planned and built by the same builder as one friendly community, regardless of any legal boundaries that separate it.Fact|date=July 2008

History

About 3,000 years ago, Chumash Indians moved into the region and lived by hunting rabbits 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 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 Mexican territory, 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 (24 km²) 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 its successful cattle ranch operation while the Albertson Company used the vast area as a movie ranch. Many movies and television shows were filmed here, including “Robin Hood,” “King Rat,” “Laredo,” and various episodes of “Tarzan,” “Buck Rogers,” “Gunsmoke,” and “Bonanza.”

In 1963, the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company bought the 12,000 acre (49 km²) 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 the new community, a prominent example of planned 1960's-style suburbanism.

The original tract was divided by the Los Angeles/Ventura county line. In 1968 and 1972, the Ventura County side, two portions of Westlake Village consisting of convert|8544|acre|km2|0, were annexed into the city of Thousand Oaks. In 1981, the Los Angeles County portion (3,456 acres or roughly 1/3) of the Westlake Village master community was incorporated as the City of Westlake Village. Today, a population of 8,893 resides within this city.

Geography

during the summer months.

In addition to its role as a bedroom community for Los Angeles via the Ventura Freeway, it is also home to many large commercial offices and the headquarters of the Dole Food Company, Pleasant Holidays, K-Swiss, ValueClick, J.D. Power and Associates, and Jafra Cosmetics. The Ventura Freeway, is one of three of Westlake's lifelines to Los Angeles and Ventura, which include Pacific Coast Highway, and the 118 Freeway. It is a short drive to the nearest mall in Thousand Oaks.

Like many upscale hamlets, Westlake Village is well served by golf courses and country clubs. The Westlake Golf Course, off the 101, is verdant if noisy. More exclusive venues include Sherwood Country Club to the west and North Ranch Country Club to the north.

In actuality, over half of what is considered to be Westlake Village is actually in the Thousand Oaks city limits. The city limit line crosses halfway through Westlake Village, in the middle of the Westlake Golf Course, halfway between Lakeview Canyon Rd. and Lindero Canyon Rd. Another mistaken belief is that Lake Sherwood is part of Westlake Village, which is also false. It resides on the Thousand Oaks/Ventura County side.

Westlake Village is located at coor dms|34|8|31|N|118|49|10|W|city (34.141973, -118.819514)GR|1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.7 km² (5.7 mi²). 13.5 km² (5.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.2 km² (0.4 mi²) of it (7.95%) is water. It is located approximately convert|40|mi|km|0 West of downtown Los Angeles in the Conejo Valley. Other communities in the surrounding area include Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Newbury Park, and Malibu.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 8,368 people, 3,270 households, and 2,491 families residing in the city. The population density was 620.1/km² (1,605.9/mi²). There were 3,347 housing units at an average density of 248.0/km² (642.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.70% White, 6.08% Asian, 0.82% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races, . Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.61% of the population.

The median income for a household in the city is $111,345 [http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2007/snapshots/PL0684438.html] , and the median income for a family is $123,036 [http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2007/snapshots/PL0684438.html] . While the per-capita income for the city was $49,596 as of the last census, recent statistics indicate that such has concurrently grown in conjunction with the former two. Such is also bolstered by the increase in average home price, which is currently (as of 2007) at $862,575 [http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2007/snapshots/PL0684438.html]

There were 3,270 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males. About 2.5% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In the state legislature Westlake Village is located in the 23rd Senate District, represented by Democrat Sheila Kuehl, and in the 41st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Julia Brownley. Federally, Westlake Village is located in California's 30th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +20 [cite web | title = Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest? | publisher = Campaign Legal Center Blog | url=http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html | accessdate = 2008-02-10] and is represented by Democrat Henry Waxman.

Recent Developments

In 2006, the Four Seasons opened a luxury hotel and WellBeing Health Resort in Westlake Village. [http://www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/] [http://www.hotelmotel.com/hotelmotel/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=392308]

In 2007, YogaWorks opened an eco-friendly membership-only yoga center. [http://www.yogaworks.com/losangeles/studios.asp?loc=WLV]

In 2008, Planet Blue, Bleu, and other Malibu and west side retailers opened new stores in the neighborhood centers.

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Westlake Village include:
* Jimmy Clausen, current starting quarterback for the University of Notre Dame Football Team.
* Terry Donahue, former UCLA football coach
* Aaron Fisher
* Andre Young (Known as Dr. Dre)
* Wayne Gretzky, former Los Angeles Kings center
* David Wu, founder, CEO RotoHog.com
* Cobi Jones, former Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder
* Greg Norman, PGA golfer
* Marc Tyler, football player
* Eric Wynalda, former U.S. soccer player
* Bas Rutten
* Jason Cook, actor
* Will Smith
* Denise Richards [http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/news/la-re-hotprop25jun25,0,2501092.story?coll=la-home-realestate]
* Charlie Sheen
* Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen
* Ashley Tesoro, actress and singer
* James Caviezel
* Heather Locklear
* Joe Montana, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback
* Jada Pinkett
* Brian Sussman
* Richie Sambora
* Tom Selleck [http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/news/la-re-hotprop25jun25,0,2501092.story?coll=la-home-realestate]
* Martin Lawrence [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.findarticles.com%2Fp%2Farticles%2Fmi_m1355%2Fis_15_96%2Fai_55983443&ei=kDSIRbvUM42OgASs_L3aCg&usg=__arJNdPA6pnPPEVgr8JSmaQdbnVc=&sig2=w0fvefOtaEAUtzjIbM2VVQ]
* Cuba Gooding Jr.
* Donna Summer
* Tia Mowry
* Tamera Mowry
* Kurt Russell
* Jonathan Taylor Thomas
* Sean Brennan
* Guillermo del Toro
* Mickey Rooney
* Bruce Hoffman
* Phil Hendrie
* Jack Wilson, a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

References

5. ^ http://www.wlv.org/city_hall/city-history.asp City-history Official website of the City of Westlake Village, history page.

External links

* [http://www.wlv.org www.wlv.org] - Official website of the City of Westlake Village.
* [http://www.wlv.org/city_hall/city-history.asp City-history] Official website of the City of Westlake Village, history page.
* [http://lacdcs.com/station-end-page-22.html LA County Disaster Communications Service ( DCS ) Malibu / Lost Hills Sheriff Station]
* [http://www.westlakerevelations.com/ Westlake Revelations] - Non-political web site and mailing list devoted to communicating information on issues and well researched facts on Westlake Village.
* [http://www.WLVUnited.com WLVUnited] — Opinion and information on New Developments in Westlake Village. Site includes Maps and Environmental Impact analysis.
* [http://conejovalley.com/communities/westlakevillage.html Westlake Village @ The Official Conejo Valley Website] , a Web site with local history, events, and community information.
* [http://www.conejovalleyguide.com Conejo Valley Guide - Activities and Events in the Conejo Valley]