Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village

Book excerpt: Once upon a time, the Conejo Valley was primarily home to the Chumash Indians, oak trees, and animals. Eventually, ranches took over, cowboys made the valley their home, and the area served as a country retreat for the adventurous people of Los Angeles. The producers of numerous movies and television shows took advantage of the natural beauty that could not be duplicated on a soundstage. Hollywood stars found privacy. Soon, word spread about the tranquility and wonderful opportunities of the Conejo Valley, and the growth began. Thousand Oaks received a name and boundaries and became a city, Lake Sherwood expanded, Hidden Valley was no longer so hidden, and the birth of Westlake Village brought the city to the country.