Westlake Village, CA | Home to Westlake Lake and the heart and soul of the Conejo Valley.
Thinking about calling Westlake Village home? Let’s walk through what everyday life feels like here from morning coffee spots to weekend hikes to help you decide if this could be your next home.
Let’s dive right in, tap any link to jump to any topic:
- Westlake Village Homes and Neighborhoods
- Where to Eat and Drink
- Where to Shop
- Where to Enjoy the Outdoors
- Where to Golf
- Just Around the Corner
Westlake Village Homes and Neighborhoods
Westlake Village offers everything from lakefront homes and gated estates to townhomes and condos – each with its own feel and price point. Most homes here sit at the higher end of the Conejo Valley spectrum, reflecting the walkability, location, and school district reputation.
Westlake Village breaks into two distinct regions:
Lakeside Westlake is fairly flat and sits in the center of the action – walkable to many of our best restaurants and shopping centers. These homes were built in the 60s and 70s and have a distinguishing charm that attracts a lot of buyers.
Not every part of Westlake Village feels this way, though. If being able to leave the car in the garage matters to you, here’s my breakdown of the most walkable neighborhoods in Westlake Village.
North Ranch is hillier with stunning mountain views, but you’ll need to drive to restaurants and shopping. It’s known for exclusive neighborhoods of custom homes and some of the most expensive properties in the area.
The difference between neighborhoods matters. Lakeside feels different from North Ranch. First Neighborhood has a different vibe than The Island. If you’re narrowing things down, understanding those differences is the next step.
- You can explore all of Westlake Village neighborhoods, here.
Where to Eat and Drink
Westlake Village has my favorite restaurant and bar scene in the Conejo Valley. There’s something about the easygoing energy and the variety of options – from The Promenade to Stonehaus Winery – that keeps me coming back.
- The Promenade is the center of it all. A typical Saturday night might look like this: cocktails and dinner at Paul Martin’s, a movie at Cinépolis, then a nightcap at Farfalla if you’re still enjoying the company. Everything’s right there.
- Westlake Plaza has its own lineup of restaurants, but the real advantage is location – it’s within walking distance of several Westlake neighborhoods, so it doubles as a local gathering spot.
- The Westlake Village Inn – home to Stonehaus Winery, Mediterraneo, and Louie’s – is a local institution. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, events. It’s one of the most popular spots in town for good reason.
Where to Shop
You won’t find a mall in Westlake Village, but many of your favorite brands will have a standing store somewhere in town – Pottery Barn, William Sonoma, Sephora, LuLuLemon, Restoration Hardware, and of course, Target 😉
More commonly you’ll find boutiques and privately owned specialty stores – clothing, hair and skin care, pharmacies, etc.
In the times where you need a little more to choose from, the Thousand Oaks mall is just 10 minutes down the road.
Westlake Village Shopping Centers:
Where to Enjoy the Outdoors
Hiking, biking, playgrounds, and playfields are some of the things the Conejo Valley is most known for. All 5 towns boast their own list of hiking trails and parks. When it comes to enjoying the outdoors, I think exploring all of the Conejo Valley is worth your while.
Here’s a link to the both the Parks & Playgrounds and Hiking Trails section of our Fun Things to Do page.
Where to Golf
Some of Southern California’s top golf courses are right here in the Conejo Valley. Westlake Village, is home to two of them:
There are a total of 9 public golf courses across the greater Conejo Valley. Check out my complete ranking of each one, here.
Just Around the Corner From Westlake Village
At some point you’ll get the itch to get out of town for a bit. One of the best parts about living in Westlake Village is its proximity to some of California’s most prized locations. This map will give you an idea of just how close you’ll be to places like Malibu, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, etc.
– Tap the cities in purple to check to proximity to Westlake Village –
Ready to Narrow It Down?
Westlake Village isn’t one neighborhood, it’s a collection of them. Lakeside feels different from North Ranch. First Neighborhood has a different vibe than The Island.
If you’re trying to figure out which part fits your lifestyle and budget, that’s the next step. 👉 Explore Westlake Village Neighborhoods
Or reach out and I’ll help you think it through.
