In Westlake Village, the most walkable neighborhoods are those near The Stonehaus Winery, Westlake Plaza, and connected greenbelts, where residents can walk to coffee, dining, shopping, and parks without needing a car.
When you picture Westlake Village, images of lake views, tree-lined streets and a laid back suburban lifestyle probably come to mind. It is, in my opinion, one of the most livable communities you’ll find in SoCal.
And what’s more SoCal than being able to step out your front door on a warm summer evening and take a stroll through the greenbelts to your local park and hit the Stonehaus Winery on the way home?
Westlake Village is unique in that way. Of our 5 Conejo Valley towns, Westlake Village offers more walkability to restaurants, shopping and cafes than you’ll find in our other neighborhoods making it a top choice for people looking to relocate to the area.
What exactly does walkability mean?
Walkability isn’t just sidewalks – it’s the ability to walk to everyday destinations like coffee shops, grocery stores, parks, and restaurants within a short distance. Tools like Walk Score rank areas based on access to services, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and nearby amenities. Many parts of Westlake Village score as “somewhat walkable,” meaning errands and leisure walks are practical in certain neighborhoods, especially those near community centers and retail nodes
What does walkability in Westlake Village look like?
When it comes to walkability, Westlake Village can’t compete with a major city like NYC or even Santa Monica. This is after all, suburbia which makes us a mostly car driving community. But that doesn’t mean walkability doesn’t exist here. You just have to know where to look.
Most of Westlake Village is walkable on some level. Every neighborhood has sidewalks, many have greenbelts, and the city has done a great job in recent years adding beautifully landscaped sidewalks up and down our major boulevards framed by miles of bike lanes.
But there are a few neighborhoods where running to the store, grabbing dinner, or taking a morning coffee stroll can actually be done on foot more easily than others. These are the top choices.
First Neighborhood – The Most Walkable
When it comes to walkability, it’s tough to compete with First Neighborhood. Built in the late 60s as Westlake’s very first neighborhood (obviously), it was designed with walking in mind.
First off, it’s very flat making it age and stroller friendly. Step out your front door and you’ll often find yourself on a cul-de-sac with plenty of sidewalks and well lit greenbelts to lead you to Bennett Park (which lies in the middle of First Neighborhood), the community pool, or to White Oak Elementary school for those of you with little ones.
First Neighborhood is big with well over 300 homes. Depending on which section you live, walkability may look a little different when you decide to venture outside the neighborhood.
The north side of First Neighborhood is closer to Westlake Plaza that has everything from counter service dining like Sea Casa, to full sit down restaurants like Crawford’s, or my favorite, Finney’s. You’ll also find several coffee shops, grocery stores, a yoga studio and even the Sunday Farmer’s Market.
As far as social spots go, nothing compares to the Stonehaus Winery. Nestled in the heart of Westlake Village, Stonehaus Winery is a top spot for an evening of fine wine and casual outdoor dining. It has a distinct European charm that’s right up my alley, and even celebrates European cultural festivals like Oktoberfest and Bastille Day. This is my usual first stop with out-of-towners and First Neighborhood is right across the street.
The South side sits closer to the Westlake Lake and offers quick access to The Landing with 3 lakeside dining options like Zin Bistro plus Bonibi Coffee – a top lakeside coffee and pastries spot. A trip around the lake is about 4 miles on foot with some stunning views of the water and surrounding hills.
No matter which section you live, the best of Westlake Village is easily accessible on foot or bike often less than a mile away.
Foxmoor & Village Homes
Just west of Westlake Lake sits Foxmoor & Village Homes – two distinct neighborhoods that border each other and have the same classic Westlake Village vibe with wide tree-lined streets and abundant parks & greenbelts.
While the housing differs slightly (Village Homes tend to be slightly more affordable than Foxmoor), I’m grouping them together since they’re close neighbors and are similar from a walkability standpoint.
If you visit Foxmoor & Village Homes after going through First Neighborhood, it’s going to feel familiar. All these homes were built around the same time and even share many of the same floor plans.
Side Note: First Neighborhood is in LA County while Foxmoor & Village Homes are in Ventura County. While that has nothing to do with walkability, it does affect the school district (amongst some other things you can read here.) So if you have your eye on a certain school or prefer one district over the other, keep that in mind as you continue your search.
Much like First Neighborhood, Foxmoor & Village Homes offer similar walkability to Westlake Plaza and the Stonehaus Winery with Village Homes being geographically closer and Foxmoor residing not far behind.
Westlake Lake is still just a quick jaunt away, but if you want to get to the Landing (the area with the 3 lakeside restaurants and coffee), it will take a couple mile walk to get there.
What makes Foxmoor & Village Homes especially appealing is the balance: you get a peaceful residential setting with community pools, greenbelts, plus the ability to walk to dining, groceries, and the lake without feeling too far removed from it all. There’s a special sense of community here that doesn’t exist in other neighborhoods.
Westlake Hills
Shifting to the other side of the freeway is Westlake Hills. A neighborhood made up of concentric circles (think the Pentagon) with greenbelts connecting the outer rings to the centrally located Russell Park and Westlake Hills Elementary School.
Heading out of the neighborhood comes with many shopping options including my personal favorite – The Westlake Promenade. One of our premier centers that offers lots of dining including both sit down and counter service options.
Barnes and Noble and Cinepolis (a first class dinner/movie theater) round out the center, plus a wide variety of other stores and eateries.
The other side of the boulevard is the North Ranch Shopping Center with lots of stores and restaurants and the ever-popular Trader Joe’s. And the stores and restaurants continue all around you as you venture out further.
Compared to the south side, the north side of Westlake Village is often considered the more commercial side vs the lake side which some say feels a little more residential.
Westlake Hills checks a lot of the boxes for a lot of home shoppers, especially those looking for a single story home or more affordable housing choices that’s still just a short walk to our popular town centers.
Walkability Summary: How Neighborhoods Compare
| First Neighborhood | Very High | Stonehaus, Westlake lake, Farmer’s Mkt | Flat, sidewalks, greenbelts to shops |
| Foxmoor & Village Homes | High | Westlake Plaza, restaurants, coffee | Quiet residential area, a little further out, but close to amenities |
| Westlake Hills | Moderate | Westlake Promenade, Trader Joe’s | Good access to retail but more commercial surroundings |
Next Question Buyers Usually Ask: How Much Does it Cost
Once buyers narrow down which neighborhoods feel like the best fit, the next question is almost always cost.
If you want a realistic breakdown of what it actually costs to buy a home in the Conejo Valley — including down payment, closing costs, and other expenses buyers don’t always expect — you can see a full breakdown here:
👉 How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Home in the Conejo Valley?
Bottom Line…
Westlake Village may be suburban, but we do have neighborhoods that make it easy to leave the car at home. You won’t find city-style walkability here, but you will find neighborhoods where grabbing coffee, heading to dinner, or taking an evening stroll actually feels part of daily life.
As a local Westlake Village Realtor who regularly tours these neighborhoods with home buyers, these neighborhoods always make the short list of top places to live with walkability in mind.
If you got this far, you’re probably thinking Westlake Village could be your future home! Let’s find the neighborhood that fits your walkable lifestyle.
You're going to love it here!
I’ll help you understand the area and find a home that feels right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Westlake Village is classic suburbia, so it’s not walkable in the same way a major city is. However, certain neighborhoods offer real walkability to coffee shops, parks, restaurants, and shopping centers, especially those near Westlake Plaza and lakeside areas.
First Neighborhood is generally considered the most walkable area in Westlake Village. Its flat layout, sidewalks, greenbelts, and proximity to Stonehaus, Westlake Plaza, plus shops, cafes, parks, and the lake make it easy to get around on foot.
Most of Westlake Village has sidewalks, landscaped walking paths, and greenbelts. Many neighborhoods connect to parks and retail areas through pedestrian-friendly routes, which makes walking both practical and enjoyable.
For many buyers, walkability is an important lifestyle factor. Being able to walk to daily amenities can improve convenience, support an active lifestyle, and make a neighborhood feel more connected. However, it’s just one of several factors to consider when choosing where to live.
