About:
Incorporated in 1866, the city of San Buenaventura (usually referred to as Ventura) is the county seat of Ventura County, California. Ventura has a population of 106,744. Ventura is accessible via U.S. Route 101, State Route 33, and State Route 126.
Father Junípero Serra founded Mission San Buenaventura in 1782, forming the basis of what would become the city. On July 6, 1841, Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado granted the 4,694 acre (1,900 ha) Rancho San Miguel to Felipe Lorenzana and Raimundo Olivas, whose Olivas Adobe on the banks of the Santa Clara River was the most magnificent hacienda south of Monterey.
After the American Civil War, settlers came to the area, buying land from the Mexicans, or simply as squatters. Vast holdings were later acquired by Easterners, including the railroad magnate, Thomas Scott. He was impressed by one of the young employees, Thomas R. Bard, who had been in charge of train supplies to Union troops, and Bard was sent west to handle Scott's property.
Not easily accessible, Ventura was not a target of immigrants, and as such, remained quiet and rural. For most of the century which followed the incorporation of Ventura in 1866, it remained isolated from the rest of the state.
July 4 celebration in Ventura, 1874. Parade Marshall is Thomas R. Bard.Bard is often regarded as the Father of Ventura and his descendants have been prominently identified with the growth of Ventura County. The Union Oil Company was organized with Bard as President in 1890, and has offices in Santa Paula. The main Ventura oil field was drilled in 1914 and at its peak produced 90,000 barrels a day. The city is located between the Ventura River and the Santa Clara River, leading to soil so fertile that citrus grew better here than anywhere else in the state. The citrus farmers formed Sunkist Growers, Incorporated, the world's largest organization of citrus production.
From the south, travel by auto was slow and hazardous, until the completion of a four-lane expressway (US Highway 101) over the Conejo Grade in 1959. This route, now further widened and improved by 1969, is known as the Ventura Freeway, which directly links Ventura with the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Another route, US Highway 101 ALT (now the Pacific Coast Highway) traveled along the coast from Santa Monica via Oxnard, but was not heavily used.
From the north, entrance was by way of a single road along the beach and stagecoach passengers either had to wait until low tide when the horses could cross on the exposed wet sand, or go up the Ventura River Valley and then cross over the mountains to Santa Barbara via Casitas Pass, a long and difficult trip.
Inland, Ventura was hemmed in by (what is now) the Los Padres National Forest, composed of mountainous country and deep canyons. This route became passable with the completion of the Maricopa Highway in the 1920s.
Since then, Ventura has grown steadily. In 1920 there were 4,156 people. In 1930 the population had increased to 11,603, and by 1950 the population reached 16,643. In the last two decades it has quadrupled to approximately 105,000.
Points of Interest:
Ventura has some of the best surfing in Southern California, especially Surfer's Point. Downtown Ventura is home to the Mission San Buenaventura, museums, galleries, dining, and shopping. Primary areas of activity include California Street and Main Street between Ventura Avenue and Fir Street. Located in downtown is the historic Ortega Adobe, home to the Ortega family, now famous for their chile products. Numerous thrift stores contrast with high-end shops and restaurants. Downtown Ventura is also home to the Ventura's ornate city hall building with its signature statue of Junipero Serra.
One of the most recognizable land marks in Ventura is a site known as two trees. These are two lone trees that stand on a hill and can be seen from most of Ventura.
In Plaza Park (Chestnut and Santa Clara Streets, downtown) one of the nations largest Morton Bay Fig Trees is marked with an historic plaque. Across the street is the main post office which houses WPA murals on its interior walls.
The Ventura Harbor is home to fishing industry, seafood restaurants and a shopping village at Ventura Harbor Village. The Channel Islands National Park Headquarters is also located in this harbor, and boats to the Channel Islands depart from there daily.
Ventura's fairgrounds are also the home of the Ventura County Fair, and over the years has hosted such acts as Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, and Smokey Robinson.
The Olivas Adobe, one of the early California Rancho homes, is operated today as a museum and performing arts venue. Located adjacent to the Olivas Park Golf Course, the home is one of the most visited historic sites on the central coast. Living history reinactments, demonstrations of Rancho life, and wonderful ghost stories abound. A summer music series of performances held in the old home's courtyard feature an eclectic assortment of artists from blues to jazz to country.
The home of race car driver Cory Kruseman can be found here. As well as Ventura Raceway, an oval dirt track.
Many films including Swordfish, Little Miss Sunshine, Chinatown and Erin Brockovich were partly filmed in Ventura.
Downtown Ventura also hosts the Majestic Ventura Theater, a beautiful early century theatre, which is situated about two blocks away from city hall. It serves as a venue for concerts. The theater has seen many bands such as The Doors, Van Halen, X (U.S. band), Paramore, She Wants Revenge, Pennywise, Social Distortion, Bad Religion, Fugazi, Incubus, and Modest Mouse, as well as local artists such as Bruce Kimmell, Gregory Hillman and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
The headquarters for Patagonia is located downtown, and there is an organic clothing retailer on Main Street called Korazon Organics and the eco-designer Stewart+Brown has their factory just a few blocks from the ocean.
Geography:
Ventura is located northwest of Los Angeles on the California coast and at 34°16′30″N, 119°13′40″W (34.275242, -119.228048).
According to the United States Census Bureau, Ventura has a total area of 84.6 km² (32.7 mi²). 54.6 km² (21.1 mi²) of it is land and 30.0 km² (11.6 mi²) of it (35.49%) is water.
Demographics:
As of the census of 2000, there were 100,916 people, 38,524 households, and 25,233 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,849.3/km² (4,790.6/mi²). There were 39,803 housing units at an average density of 729.4/km² (1,889.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.79% White, 1.41% African American, 1.16% Native American, 3.00% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 11.14% from other races, and 4.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.35% of the population.
Ventura City Hall There were 38,524 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $52,298, and the median income for a family was $60,466. Males had a median income of $43,828 versus $31,793 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,065. About 6.4% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.
Politics:
In the state legislature Ventura is located in the 19th Senate District, represented by Republican Tom McClintock, and in the 35th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Pedro Nava. Federally, Ventura is located in California's 23rd congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +9 and is represented by Democrat Lois Capps.
Education:
Ventura hosts two college campuses, the Brooks Institute of Photography and Ventura College. Ventura College is a community college, part of the Ventura County Community College District.
Public school students from kindergarten through twelfth grade attend schools in the Ventura Unified School District. The district has two comprehensive high schools: Ventura High in the midtown area just east of downtown, and Buena High in east Ventura. Ventura High students are "Cougars" and Buena High students are "Bulldogs". Students from throughout the district may attend Foothill Technology High School, a magnet school focusing on technology and health careers. Private schools include St. Bonaventure High School, a Catholic school, and Ventura County Christian High School, an evangelical Christian school.
Source: Wikipedia.com - All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
Introduction
Westlake Village is a community which straddles the Ventura and Los Angeles County line, encompassing all of the area surrounding the lake at Westlake, and neighborhoods North of the 101 freeway as well. A portion of the community is located in Thousand Oaks, in Ventura County. The incorporated portion of Westlake Village, is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, USA. The population was 8,368 at the 2000 census. This city located in the Conejo Valley, is known for its affluence and secluded character, and is considered one of the wealthier communities in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
Westlake Village is a planned community built around an artificial lake straddling the Los Angeles-Ventura county line; it is a master-planned suburb of lakeside condos and suburban homes. Like neighboring Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks, its mix of safe streets, good schools, picturesque hillsides, hiking and equestrian trails attract residents seeking serenity.
The original community was divided by the Los Angeles and Ventura County boundary and known simply as "Westlake." In the late 1960s/early '70s, the Ventura County portion, or roughly two-thirds of the community, was annexed by City of Thousand Oaks; in 1981, the remaining third eventually incorporated as the City of Westlake Village. Information in this article applies primarily to the latter incorporated area.
Despite the fact that this community is located in two different counties, and different city governments, most of the residents feel like they belong to one unified, well planned neighborhood. The whole community was planned and built by the same builder as one friendly community, regardless of any legal boundaries that separate it.
History
About 3,000 years ago, Chumash Indians moved into the region and lived by hunting rabbits and other game, and gathering grains and acorns. On-going excavations, archaeological sites, and polychrome rock paintings in the area provide a glimpse into the social and economic complexity of the ancient Chumash world. In 1770, Captain Gaspar de Portola led a party of Spanish explorers and missionaries, traveling north on the route that became known as El Camino Real.
The party camped near a Chumash village, believed to be the site of present-day Westlake Village. Father Juan Crespi, chaplain and diarist of the expedition, wrote: “We are on a plain of considerable extent and much beauty, forested on all parts by live oaks and oak trees, with much pasturage and water.”
When the Spanish finally did settle the area, they were given huge land grants, the largest of which was Rancho Simi, given to the Pico family. When Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, California became Mexican territory, and a few more land grants were given. When California was admitted to the union in 1850, most of the land that later became Ventura County was divided among only 19 families.
The picturesque future Westlake Village site among rising knolls, arroyos, barrancas and ancient oaks was recognized as the central part of two Mexican land grants: Rancho El Conejo and Rancho Las Virgenes. In 1881, the Russell brothers purchased a large portion of the land for cattle ranching. According to Patricia Allen, historian and family descendant, Andrew Russell beat the competition in buying the land by racing across 6,000 acres (24 km²) on a fifteen-minute trip in a buckboard and sealed the deal with a $20 gold piece. The price per acre was $2.50.
The area continued to be known as the Russell Ranch although it was sold in 1925 to William Randolph Hearst and again in 1943 to Fred Albertson. The Russell family leased back part of the land to continue its successful cattle ranch operation while the Albertson Company used the vast area as a movie ranch. Many movies and television shows were filmed here, including “Robin Hood,” “King Rat,” “Laredo,” and various episodes of “Tarzan,” “Buck Rogers,” “Gunsmoke,” and “Bonanza.”
In 1963, the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company bought the 12,000 acre (49 km²) ranch for $32 million and, in partnership with Prudential Insurance Company, commissioned the preparation of a master plan for a “city in the country.” Prominent architects, engineers, and land planners participated in designing the new community, a prominent example of planned 1960's-style suburbanism.
The original tract was divided by the Los Angeles/Ventura county line. In 1968 and 1972, the Ventura County side, two portions of Westlake Village consisting of 8,544 acres (35 km²), were annexed into the city of Thousand Oaks. In 1981, the Los Angeles County portion (3,456 acres or roughly 1/3) of the Westlake Village master community was incorporated as the City of Westlake Village. Today, a population of 8,893 resides within this city.
Geograpgy
Much of Westlake Village is surrounded by open space, including hiking and horse trails, as well as the vast Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The town borders the Malibu hills, and is nine miles (14 km) inland from the Pacific Ocean. Coastal breezes seep through canyons to allow Westlake to stay up to 10 degrees cooler and considerably less smoggy than nearby San Fernando Valley during the summer months.
In addition to its role as a bedroom community for Los Angeles via the Ventura Freeway, it is also home to many large commercial offices and the headquarters of the Dole Food Company, Pleasant Holidays, K-Swiss, ValueClick and J.D. Power and Associates. The Ventura Freeway, is one of three of Westlake's lifelines to Los Angeles and Ventura, which include Pacific Coast Highway, and the 118 Freeway. It is a short drive to the nearest mall in Thousand Oaks.
Like many upscale hamlets, Westlake Village is well served by golf courses and country clubs. The Westlake Golf Course, off the 101, is verdant if noisy. More exclusive venues include Sherwood Country Club to the west and North Ranch Country Club to the north.
In actuality, over half of what is considered to be Westlake Village is actually in the Thousand Oaks city limits. The city limit line crosses halfway through Westlake Village, in the middle of the Westlake Golf Course, halfway between Lakeview Canyon Rd. and Lindero Canyon Rd. Another mistaken belief is that Lake Sherwood is part of Westlake Village, which is also false. It resides on the Thousand Oaks/Ventura County side.
Westlake Village is located at 34°8′31″N, 118°49′10″W (34.141973, -118.819514). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.7 km² (5.7 mi²). 13.5 km² (5.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.2 km² (0.4 mi²) of it (7.95%) is water. It is located approximately 40 miles (64 km) West of downtown Los Angeles in the Conejo Valley. Other communities in the surrounding area include Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Newbury Park and Malibu.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,368 people, 3,270 households, and 2,491 families residing in the city. The population density was 620.1/km² (1,605.9/mi²). There were 3,347 housing units at an average density of 248.0/km² (642.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.70% White, 6.08% Asian, 0.82% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races, . Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.61% of the population.
A recent census indicates 96% of the population of Westlake Village identifies itself as Roman Catholic with another 3.11% as Jewish, the remaining 1% refusing to declare affiliation with any particular religious institutions.
The median income for a household in the city is $111,345, and the median income for a family is $123,036. While the per-capita income for the city was $49,596 as of the last census, recent statistics indicate that such has concurrently grown in conjunction with the former two. Such is also bolstered by the increase in average home price, which is currently at $862,575 (as of 2007).
There were 3,270 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males. About 2.5% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.
Shoppes at West Lake Village, CA
Shoppes at Westlake Village offers retailers and restaurants a unique opportunity to serve a market of affluent neighboring households and a substantial daytime employment population.
Located at the Lindero Canyon exit of the Ventura (101) Freeway, the center is anchored by Target and adjacent to one of the highest volume Costco stores in Los Angeles County and the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, providing exceptional visibility, strong local patronage patterns and high traffic counts.
With architecture reminiscent of a European village, trellis covered pedestrian walkways, a dramatic water feature and patio dining and lounge areas, Shoppes at Westlake Village will be a place to meet and gather with family and friends as well as a place to shop.
Westlake Village has attracted a diverse group of corporate headquarters, including K-Swiss, Guitar Center, Inc. and Dole Food Co. These and other businesses within 10 minutes of the center provide a daytime population of 114,000, whose spending potential is over $300 million per year.
The 163,000 trade area residents average over $130,000 in average annual household income, providing an ideal market for upscale shops, restaurants and casual dining.
Shoppes at Westlake Village is scheduled to hold its grand opening in the Summer of 2014.
Click here to read more and visit http://shoppesatwestlakevillage.com
Source: Wikipedia.com - All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.