According to ALLCOUNTRYLIST, Calabasas is a city located in the western San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California. It is situated in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and lies approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Calabasas is bordered by Topanga to the east, Malibu and Pacific Palisades to the south, West Hills to the west, and Agoura Hills and Hidden Hills to the north.
The geography of Calabasas is largely composed of rolling hills and mountains that give way to flatland areas near its boundaries. The Santa Monica Mountains provide a stunning backdrop for much of the city. In addition, there are numerous parks within Calabasas that offer hiking trails, picnic areas, and other recreational activities.
The climate in Calabasas is Mediterranean-like with warm summers and mild winters. Average temperature highs reach into the low 90s during summer months while lows dip into the low 40s during winter months. Annual average precipitation in Calabasas ranges from 15 inches to 25 inches depending on elevation.
The city has several distinct neighborhoods that all have their own unique feel. The Old Town area is one of its oldest neighborhoods and has a quaint downtown area with shops, restaurants, and other businesses that cater to locals as well as visitors from outside of town. The Mulholland Corridor neighborhood features larger homes on larger lots with views stretching out over much of Los Angeles County while Lake Lindero offers more affordable housing options near an artificial lake surrounded by lush greenbelts.
Calabasas also has plenty of attractions for visitors including Paramount Ranch Park which was used as a filming location for numerous movies throughout Hollywood’s golden age; Malibu Creek State Park which offers hiking trails through creekside forests; Las Virgenes View Park which provides stunning views across much of Southern California; and King Gillette Ranch which features an interpretive center where visitors can learn about local wildlife species such as mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats, eagles, hawks, snakes, lizards, frogs & toads among others.
Calabasas offers a diverse geography composed of rolling hillsides dotted with homes large & small along with plenty of recreational activities both indoors & outdoors for locals & visitors alike.
History of Calabasas, California
The history of Calabasas, California is a long and varied one, stretching back centuries before the city’s modern incarnation. The area was originally inhabited by the Chumash people, who were hunter-gatherers living in small villages and relying on the abundant local resources for sustenance. They lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of Spanish explorers in the late 18th century.
The Spanish founded Mission San Fernando Rey de España in 1797, which became an important hub for agriculture and trade in the region. After Mexico gained independence from Spain, much of what is now Calabasas was granted to Mexican soldiers as part of land grants given out by then-governor Pio Pico. These land grants were later subdivided into smaller parcels and sold off to settlers looking to homestead in the area.
In 1887, Calabasas was officially incorporated as a city under its current name. At this time it was a small rural community with primarily agricultural uses such as cattle ranching and farming. In addition to ranching and farming, Calabasas also boasted a hotel which served travelers along El Camino Real (the Royal Road).
In 1923, Hollywood producer Mack Sennett purchased land near what is now Paramount Ranch Park and began filming movies there. This sparked an influx of movie stars into Calabasas which continued throughout Hollywood’s golden age up until World War II when most production moved away from Southern California due to wartime restrictions on resources such as gasoline.
In recent decades Calabasas has seen a population boom due to its proximity to Los Angeles and its reputation as being a safe place with good schools and plenty of recreational activities available nearby such as hiking trails, picnic areas, parks & more. This has made it an attractive destination for families looking for suburban living without having to sacrifice too much access to urban amenities like shopping centers & entertainment venues. As such it has become one of Los Angeles County’s most desirable cities to live in.
Economy of Calabasas, California
Calabasas, California is a thriving city in Los Angeles County with a booming economy. The city is known for its high-end shopping centers, luxurious homes, and celebrity residents. It has also become a hub for business and industry due to its close proximity to Los Angeles and its access to major highways.
The city’s economy is driven mainly by the service sector, which includes finance, real estate, retail trade, information technology, healthcare, education and professional services. The largest employers in the city are Wells Fargo Bank (finance), Coldwell Banker (real estate), Target (retail) and Allergan Pharmaceuticals (healthcare). These businesses provide employment for thousands of residents who live in Calabasas as well as those who commute from other cities in the Los Angeles area.
In addition to these major employers, there are many smaller businesses that help drive the local economy. These include restaurants, cafes, boutiques, salons and other small retail establishments that cater to both locals and tourists alike. The city also boasts several entertainment venues such as movie theaters and music venues that attract visitors from all over Southern California on a regular basis.
Calabasas is also home to a thriving technology industry with many software development companies located in the area. This sector of the local economy has seen tremendous growth in recent years due to the presence of numerous tech startups that have chosen Calabasas as their base of operations.
The city’s economy is further bolstered by its tourism industry which attracts visitors from around the world each year thanks to its Hollywood connections, celebrity hot spots like The Commons at Calabasas Mall and popular outdoor activities like hiking at nearby Malibu Creek State Park or horseback riding at Paramount Ranch Park.
Calabasas has been able to maintain a strong economy despite its relatively small size due to its close proximity to Los Angeles and access to major highways which make it an attractive destination for both businesses looking for new locations as well as tourists looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of big city life.
Politics in Calabasas, California
Calabasas, California is located in the northwestern corner of Los Angeles County and is home to approximately 23,000 residents. The city has a council-manager form of government, which means that the City Council is responsible for setting policy and passing laws while a professional city manager is responsible for implementing these policies.
The Calabasas City Council consists of five members who are elected at-large by the people of Calabasas. The Mayor is chosen by a majority vote of the City Council from among its members and serves a two-year term. The Mayor presides over all meetings of the City Council, but does not have any additional powers or responsibilities beyond those granted to other members of the council.
The current mayor of Calabasas is David Shapiro who was first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2020. He is joined on the City Council by Vice Mayor Alicia Weintraub, as well as councilmembers Howard Cohen, Jonathan Levey and Paul Koffman. All five members are dedicated to serving their community and working together to provide essential services such as public safety, infrastructure improvement projects and economic development initiatives.
Residents of Calabasas have access to numerous resources that help them stay informed about local politics including monthly city council meetings which are open to the public, an official website with information about upcoming events and agendas as well as social media accounts for each member of the City Council that allow citizens to interact directly with their representatives. Additionally, there are several community organizations that are active in local politics including neighborhood watch groups, homeowner associations and environmental advocacy groups.
Calabasas has an active political atmosphere with citizens engaging in debates over important issues such as housing affordability, public transportation options and economic growth initiatives. The city’s diverse population also ensures that all voices are heard when it comes to making decisions about how best to serve their community’s needs going forward into the future.
