Thousand Oaks, California

Thousand Oaks is the second-largest city in Ventura County, California, located in the northwestern part of Greater Los Angeles. It is about 15 miles from the city of Los Angeles and 40 miles from Downtown Los Angeles. The city is named after the many oak trees that grow in the area.

Thousand Oaks became an official city in 1964. Since then, it has grown, especially to the west and east. Most of Newbury Park and two-thirds of the community around Westlake were added to the city in the late 1960s and 1970s. The city borders Westlake Village to the east, where the Los Angeles County–Ventura County line runs.

In the year 2020, the city had a population of 126,966 people, which was a small increase from the 126,683 people counted in 2010. The city is part of the Conejo Valley and is known for its beautiful oak trees and peaceful neighborhoods.

History

Etymology

The area now called Thousand Oaks was first named Conejo Mountain Valley by its founder, Egbert Starr Newbury, in the 1870s. In the 1920s, people there held a contest to pick a new name. A 14-year-old boy named Bobby Harrington suggested "Thousand Oaks" because there were many oak trees there—about 50,000 to 60,000 in 2012.

When the city became official in 1964, some people wanted to call it Conejo City, but most of the 19,000 residents voted to keep the name Thousand Oaks.

Pre-colonial period

Long before any cities were built, the Chumash people lived in the area for over 10,000 years. They had two big villages named Sap’wi and Satwiwa. Today, you can see old paintings made by the Chumash at the Chumash Interpretive Center. There were also smaller villages and summer camps all around, including where Wildwood Elementary School is now.

19th century

From 1804 to 1848, this area was part of a place called Alta California. First, it was owned by Spain, and later by Mexico. After Mexico, it became part of the United States in 1850. Two main landowners owned most of the land in the 1870s: John Edwards and Howard Mills. Another person, Egbert Starr Newbury, bought land here in 1874 and set up the first post office in 1875.

Norwegian Colony

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Norwegian families settled in the area known as the Norwegian Colony. They lived near where California Lutheran University is today. Many Norwegian names still exist in the area, like Olsen and Pedersen. Sadly, a sickness called diphtheria hurt many families, and several people passed away in 1901.

20th century

By the turn of the 20th century, Newbury Park was more established than Thousand Oaks. The Janss family bought a lot of land and planned to build a big community. In the 1920s and 1930s, movies started being filmed here, and many famous actors lived in the area.

Between 1950 and 1970, the population grew quickly from 3,000 to 30,000 people. New businesses, especially high-tech companies, moved in during the 1960s and 1970s.

Jungleland USA (zoo)

In 1925, a man named Louis Goebel started a zoo called Goebel’s Lion Farm, which later became Jungleland USA. It was a popular place with animal shows and rides. Many movies used animals from the zoo. The zoo closed in 1969 because other parks like Disneyland became more popular.

Incorporation of the City

Thousand Oaks became an official city on October 7, 1964. Most people voted to name it Thousand Oaks instead of Conejo City. Over time, more areas joined the city, including parts of Newbury Park and Westlake.

Modern history

Today, Thousand Oaks is focusing on building more places to live and shop along Thousand Oaks Boulevard. The city has grown a lot, and there isn’t much space left for big new developments.

In 2018, a sad event happened at a place called the Borderline Bar and Grill. Not long after, a big fire called the Woolsey Fire burned many homes in the area.

Geography

The city of Thousand Oaks is in the Conejo Valley in southeastern Ventura County. It lies halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, about 12 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. The Conejo Valley is 900 feet above sea level and covers part of its 1,884 square miles.

Thousand Oaks has many natural areas and oak trees, which give the city its name. The city is surrounded by mountains and has hills, canyons, and wetlands. It also includes parts of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The city has homes and shopping areas, with some houses farther from stores.

Physiography

Thousand Oaks has rolling hills, open spaces with oak trees, and mountain areas. The northern parts include the Simi Hills, Conejo Mountains, and Mount Clef Ridge. The city’s elevation ranges from 500 feet to 2,403 feet at Simi Peak. Water flows through areas like Conejo Creek, and wetlands such as Lake Eleanor and Paradise Falls are there.

Wildlife

Thousand Oaks is home to animals like mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, bears, and mule deer. Smaller animals like spotted skunks, California raccoons, and mice also live there. The city advises hikers to stay in groups and keep children close when visiting open spaces.

Flora

The city has over 100 plant species, including some that are endangered. Thousand Oaks is famous for its oak trees, such as valley oak, coast live oak, scrub oak, and Palmer's oak. Special plants like Conejo buckwheat grow only in certain areas and bloom in spring. Notable trees include a large oak at the Chumash Indian Museum and a historic sycamore tree in Newbury Park.

Climate

Thousand Oaks has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. Summers are usually between 70 and 80 °F (21 and 27 °C), while winters rarely drop below 60–65 °F (16–18 °C). The area sometimes gets cooler air from the ocean, making it a bit cooler than nearby regions. Snow has occasionally fallen on nearby peaks like Boney Mountain.

Demographics

The city neighborhoods were built for families in the 1950s. Today it is a comfortable city with many educated people.

2020

The 2020 United States census reported that Thousand Oaks had a population of 126,966. The racial makeup was mostly White, with smaller amounts of African American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and people from other races or from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people made up nearly 20% of the population.

Most people lived in homes with families, and many homes had children under 18. The median age was 45 years. There were many places to live, and most were owned by the people living there.

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $134,367, and about 8% of the population were below the poverty line.

2010

The 2010 United States census reported that Thousand Oaks had a population of 126,683. The racial makeup was mostly White, with smaller amounts of African American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and people from other races or from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people made up about 17% of the population.

Most people lived in homes with families, and many homes had children under 18. The median age was 41.5 years. There were many places to live, and most were owned by the people living there.

Crime

Thousand Oaks is one of the safest cities in the United States, with very low crime rates. It has been ranked among the safest cities in the country. The city has seen a general decrease in crime since the 1990s. Petty theft was the most-reported crime in recent years.

Economy

Thousand Oaks has many different kinds of jobs and businesses. In the past, farming was very important, but now many technology companies have moved here. One big company, Amgen, helps make medicines and gives many jobs to the city.

The city has jobs in making things, helping people stay healthy, and selling services. Some other big companies with offices here are Teledyne Technologies, SAGE Publishing, and Skyworks Solutions. There are also hospitals, schools, and hotels that employ many people.

Arts and culture

Thousand Oaks has many places where people can learn about art, history, and culture. The Conejo Valley Art Museum shows works by artists like Elizabeth Williams, David Rose, and Howard Brodie. The Chumash Indian Museum displays items from the Chumash people and has a recreated village. The Stagecoach Inn in Newbury Park, built in 1876, is a historic site and a California Historical Landmark.

The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza has two theaters, where famous performers like Willie Nelson, Paul Anka, and Liza Minnelli have appeared. There are also many art galleries and groups that put on shows and concerts. Every spring, the Scandinavian Festival celebrates culture from countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. There are also festivals for country music and other community events.

Points of interest

• American Radio Archive, museum dedicated to the history of radio
• California Lutheran University (Pederson House and Water Tower)
• California Museum of Art (CMATO), art museum at The Oaks mall (now closed)
• Chumash Indian Museum, museum with a replica of a Chumash village
• Conejo Valley Art Museum, art museum at Janss Marketplace
• Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 33-acre botanical garden
• Conejo Valley High: oldest continuously used public landmark in Conejo Valley (aka Timber School)
• Dawn's Peak, locally known as Tarantula Hill, the highest point in Thousand Oaks
• Gardens of the World, botanical garden featuring flora from various countries
• Joel McCrea Ranch, listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
• Oak Creek Canyon Whole Access Interpretive Trail, 0.4-mile trail with guide cable and braille signs describing the oak grove's flora and fauna
• Satwiwa Culture Center, Chumash museum at the foothills of Mount Boney
• Sherwood Country Club, host of Tiger Woods' World Challenge from 2000 to 2013
• Stagecoach Inn, historic hotel in Newbury Park
• The Oaks Shopping Center, largest shopping mall in Ventura County
• Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, home to City Hall, Fred Kavli Theatre, and Janet and Ray Scherr Forum
• Thousand Oaks Community Gallery, art gallery adjacent to Newbury Park Library
• Thousand Oaks Library, the largest library in Ventura County
• Wildwood Regional Park, a 1,765-acre (714 ha) regional park

Sports

The Los Angeles Lightning is a basketball team that plays at the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center at California Lutheran University. This university has been used for training by teams like the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys, as well as for the 2008 and 2012 US Olympic Men's Water Polo teams. Nearby, a company called DesignworksUSA helped design the U.S. Olympic Team's bobsleds. Newbury Park has hosted parts of the Tour of California, a big cycling race.

Many sports are popular in Thousand Oaks, including soccer, basketball, wrestling, football, baseball, flag football, softball, swimming, ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, and field hockey. The Ventura County Fusion soccer team, though based in Ventura, plays some games at Newbury Park High School. The Conejo Oaks baseball team plays at Sparky Anderson Field in Thousand Oaks. The city is also home to the Sherwood Country Club, a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. From 2000 to 2013, the Chevron World Challenge golf tournament was held there.

Professional football

For many years, California Lutheran University was where the Dallas Cowboys trained. Their last camp was in 1989. The university's football field was later turned into a big sports complex in 2006. The Cowboys' old clubhouse in Thousand Oaks is still there. The Los Angeles Rams use the same campus for training until they build their new facilities in Los Angeles. They also have an agreement to use UC Irvine for training camp.

Baseball

Thousand Oaks has a strong history in Little League baseball. In 1994, a team from Thousand Oaks became the first from Ventura County to win a World Championship. Other teams from the area have also won national and world championships in different age groups. In 2004, a team from Conejo Valley East won the national title at the 2004 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Parks and recreation

Thousand Oaks is famous for keeping its open spaces safe from building. About one-third of the city is protected to keep nature as it is. The city has many trails—about 150 miles long—that people of all ages can use for walking, biking, and riding horses. In 1996, two groups gave the city a special award for its trails. The city is also known for its many trees and has earned a special title for taking good care of them.

Government

Thousand Oaks does not elect a mayor directly. Instead, council members take turns in the role. The city council has five members: a mayor, a mayor pro tem, and three councilmembers.

The city manager helps the council with policies and manages the city's ten departments. The city attorney gives legal advice and represents the city in court. The city clerk runs elections, keeps city records, and handles marriage licenses and passport applications.

Thousand Oaks has often supported the Republican Party, but more voters now have no party preference. In recent presidential elections, the Democratic nominee won most votes in Thousand Oaks. The city is near Simi Valley, sometimes called "Reagan Country," where former President Ronald Reagan is buried.

Education

Thousand Oaks is part of the Conejo Valley Unified School District. Many of its public schools do well and are some of the best in California. The district has several elementary schools, Colina Middle School, Redwood Middle School, Los Cerritos Middle School, and high schools such as Thousand Oaks High School, Newbury Park High School, and Westlake High School. Other schools nearby include Sycamore Canyon Middle School and Sequoia Middle School in Newbury Park. Oaks Christian High School and La Reina High School, a private school for girls, also serve students from the area.

The Thousand Oaks Library is one of the best in California. It includes the Grant R. Brimhall Library and the Newbury Park Branch Library. In 2006, a special children’s area was added, with a large aquarium, quiet study spaces, technology rooms, and more seating.

California Lutheran University has been recognized as one of the top universities in the Western United States for many years.

Media

The Acorn is the main newspaper for Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and Westlake Village. The Ventura County Star covers the whole area. Los Angeles Times began including Thousand Oaks in 1987.

Thousand Oaks has several radio stations, such as KCLU-FM, an NPR station at California Lutheran University. Other stations include KDSC, which rebroadcasts KUSC from Los Angeles, and KYRA, which plays Christian rock. Thousand Oaks TV is a local cable station that started in 1987.

Many movies and TV shows have been filmed in Thousand Oaks because of its nice weather and closeness to studios. For example, Thousand Oaks Boulevard was in the film It Happened One Night, and scenes from Hollywood or Bust with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were filmed there. The area near California Lutheran University has been used in many films and TV shows.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Roads

Thousand Oaks is in the Conejo Valley, with Los Angeles to the east and Ventura to the west. The city uses U.S. Route 101, called the Ventura Freeway, and State Route 23, called the Moorpark Freeway, for driving. Highway 101 goes through the city and links it to Los Angeles and Ventura. Highway 23 meets Highway 101 near downtown Thousand Oaks and heads north toward Moorpark.

Public transportation

Thousand Oaks has its own public transport system called Thousand Oaks Transit, with shuttles and buses. These buses serve Thousand Oaks and nearby areas. There is also a central spot where you can catch buses and shuttles going to Los Angeles, Oxnard, Ventura, Moorpark, Simi Valley, and Santa Barbara. You can use buses from VISTA, Metro, and LADOT to travel there. Train services like Metrolink Ventura County and Pacific Surfliner stop in Moorpark and Camarillo, and the Amtrak Coast Starlight stops in Oxnard and the Simi Valley Amtrak/Metrolink Station.

Air

For air travel, most people use Los Angeles International Airport. Another choice is Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, which flies only to places in the United States. Thousand Oaks has public transport to both airports. Los Angeles International Airport is about 40 miles away, and Bob Hope Airport is about 35 miles away. There are also smaller airports for private planes, such as Camarillo Airport, Oxnard Airport, and Van Nuys Airport.

Conejo Valley Airport, also called Janss Airport, used to be in Thousand Oaks. It opened between 1946 and 1949 and had a short dirt runway. It was moved in 1952 when a new highway was built. The airport was used for movies, like Francis the Talking Mule. It closed in 1962 and is now a golf course. Later, a new airport opened in Newbury Park in 1960, but it also closed in the mid-1960s.

Water

The city gets its clean water from the state water system.

Fire department

The Ventura County Fire Department takes care of fires and medical emergencies in Thousand Oaks and nearby places.

Before the 1930s, local ranchers helped put out fires. In 1931, a fire truck was given to the area, and a fire station was built. The first fire chief was Tom Moody, and the first permanent stations were built in 1949. More stations were added over the years, and today there are several stations serving the area. Firefighters in Conejo Valley work together with firefighters from Los Angeles County.

Law enforcement

The Thousand Oaks Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff's Office keep the city safe. The Thousand Oaks Police Department started on July 1, 1965, just nine months after the city was officially created. At first, there were twelve people and two patrol cars. The police station moved several times, and today there is a modern station on Olsen Road.

Highway honors officer

Part of the Ventura Freeway in the city is named to honor Ventura County Sheriff Sergeant Ron Helus.

Notable people

See also: Newbury Park, California § Notable people

Thousand Oaks has been home to many famous people from entertainment, sports, and music. Some well-known individuals include baseball manager Sparky Anderson, actress Eve Arden, singer and actor Frankie Avalon, football player Aaron Donald, ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, television host Ellen DeGeneres, and actress Marilyn Monroe, among others.