Calabasas

About Calabasas

Calabasas is an affluent community in Los Angeles County, nestled in the hills just west of the San Fernando Valley in the northwest Santa Monica Mountains. The city offers a variety of upscale amenities and has several notable landmarks including the Leonis Adobe, one of the oldest structures in the Los Angeles area.

The History of Calabasas

Some believe that the Chumash tribe named Calabasas in reference to geese, while others think that Spaniards christened the city with the Spanish word for wild gourd. Either way, both the Spanish and Native Americans played important roles in the early history of the area.

In the mid-1800s, Miguel Leonis took control of a ranch that would later become Calabasas. After Leonis' death, land in and around Calabasas continued to shift between different owners, and many ranches were subdivided frequently as landowners sold off portions of their properties.

Drought and other issues plagued Calabasas in those early days. However, the 20th century dawned with new opportunities for prosperity in this region. Residents of nearby cities used Calabasas as a weekend getaway, and Hollywood found the area useful for movie production. Today, several older buildings, including parts of the city's second schoolhouse, still stand.

Living in Calabasas

Calabasas consistently earns top marks for livability, with the highly-rated schools and convenient amenities among the contributing factors. There's very little crime in this community, which is another attractive factor.

Excellent job prospects also draw new residents to Calabasas, and the city's unemployment level falls significantly below the national average. If you're planning on diving into the job market, it may be helpful to know that the top employers in the city include the local school district, Bank of America and The Cheesecake Factory's corporate headquarters.

In Calabasas, you'll find a tight-knit community bolstered by many regular gatherings and events. The annual Pumpkin Festival is one of the long-standing traditions, featuring live performances, games, food and exhibits. Local legend says that the festival dates back to the 1820s, when a rancher's wagon of pumpkins overturned on the way to Los Angeles. The following spring, the fallen pumpkin seeds sprouted and produced an impressive crop of the orange squash.

School District Information

The Las Virgenes Unified School District manages the city's public schools, kindergarten through 12th grade. You also have the option of private schools, with Viewpoint School one of the most popular.

City Resources

Here are a few quick resources to help make your move to Calabasas as easy as possible:

• Utilities: The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District manages all public water services in Calabasas. Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas are the city's energy providers.
• Garbage and Recycling: All residences, both single-family and multi-family, have curbside collection of trash and recyclables.
• Transportation: You can utilize both shuttle and trolley routes throughout Calabasas, seven days a week.

Housing Information

The median home price in Calabasas is significantly higher than both the state and national averages, and many properties have multi-million dollar price tags. Apartments and condominiums are also priced fairly high, but many communities have upscale amenities.