Westlake Village not ten minutes from Thousand Oaks, California is quietly nestled on the edge of the Santa Monica Mountains; it is surrounded by lush mountains and parkland, as well as the shining waters of the Westlake Lake. This small town is a unique destination for outdoorsy types and is home to a plethora of outdoor attractions like trails, nature preserves, and parks. There are also shopping malls and wineries as well for shopaholics and wine enthusiasts. Being near Los Angeles, Westlake Village is not too far away from several aparthotels and historic hotels. There are plenty of activities to enjoy in this town. To help you learn about them, we compiled a list of the best things to do in Westlake Village, California.
1. Shop at The Promenade at Westlake Village
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by The Promenade at Westlake on Monday, March 12, 2012
The Promenade at Westlake Village is a shopping mall that takes pride in providing the best shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences in the area. From seasonally-inspired restaurants to stylish boutiques, this mall offers a lot of fun things to do in Westlake Village and has a wide variety of shops and restaurants that are sure to keep you occupied for hours.
It also has a luxury cinema where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a nice movie. There are also several events hosted by the hotel from time to time so keep an eye on the website for any updates.
The Promenade at Westlake Village
Address: 100 Promenade Way, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362, United States
Website: The Promenade at Westlake Village
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 11am - 7pm
2. Go hiking at Pentachaeta Trailhead
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Located inside Triunfo Creek Park, Pentachaeta Trailhead is a 7.1-kilometer (4.4-mile) trail that features a lake and is surrounded by deep oak woodland. The trail is named after an endangered flower species, Pentachaeta lyonii, that is found in the park. This endangered flower is found only in Southern California and blooms between April and June.
Rated as difficult, this hiking trail may be a bit of a challenge for many hikers. Despite its difficulty, hikers can bring their dogs into the trail, though these pets must always be on a leash.
Pentachaeta Trailhead
Address: 32176 Triunfo Canyon Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91361, United States
Website: Pentachaeta Trailhead
Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)
3. Hike the trails in the Santa Monica Mountains
As part of the National Park Service, the Santa Monica Mountains have a lot to offer. There is of course, hiking; the 67 mile-long (107 kilometer) Backbone Trail is their most famous trail, and because it is one of the five places in the world that maintains a Mediterranean ecosystem, it is a designated National Recreation Trail. There is also mountain biking and climbing, horseback riding, camping, and special events available. Plus, you’re sure to come across some truly beautiful fields of wildflowers, such as the California Poppy.
Santa Monica Mountains
Address: 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, CA 91302
Price: Free admission
Opening Hours: Park sites are open year-round, 24/7; parking lots are open from 8:00am to sunset. Visitor’s Center hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm, 7 days a week (closed some federal holidays)
Contact: +1 8053702301
Website: Santa Monica Mountains
4. Stay at the Westlake Village Inn (from USD 310)
It's going to be a gorgeous weekend at the Inn. Pop by for a stroll, lunch or dinner at Mediterraneo Restaurant-Westlake Village or a little Wine Tasting at The Stonehaus. Happy Friday. #WestlakeVillageInn
Posted by Westlake Village Inn on Friday, 11 November 2016
There are no words to describe how gorgeous and magically idyllic this inn is. It’s a boutique hotel with a bar, winery, spa, restaurant, lounge, and Mediterranean pool on-site. Not to mention the gardens, which are like something out of a fairytale. “Reminiscent of Italy,” the Westlake Village Inn is both a wonderful place to stay and a wonderful event venue; “the view of lush, green landscapes that seem to be never-ending, the enchanting lake, cobblestone paths, vineyards and beautiful gardens with lovely gazebos and charming arbors are enough to leave you captivated.”
Westlake Village Inn
Address: 31943 Agoura Road
9.6 km (6.0 mi) from Malibu Creek State Park
5. Spend the day touring wineries
Amazing!! Looks like the vineyard has been here for a long time!!! Absolutely gorgeous and what a feeling when walking through!! #vineyard #malibuwines #westlakevillage #party
Posted by Epona Estate on Friday, 7 August 2015
When in wine country, right? There are a couple of wine shops in Westlake Village that do wine tastings, Nabu Winery and Wade’s Wines, but if you’d like to see a vineyard, then you should visit the Epona Estate, which is both a ranch and vineyard. The estate is named “in honor of Epona, the Gallo-Roman Goddess and protector of horses, donkeys and mules”; it contains 40 acres (16 hectares) of land, and “includes equestrian dressage facilities, a 72 stall professional horse barn, cottages, a Koi pond, and a working vineyard.” It also has its own “Pepper Tree Lane, formal rose garden, and waterfall, [and] is located in the heart of the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains adjacent to Malibu Valley.” It’s a great event venue, but it also happens to be available as a filming venue.
Epona Estate
Address: 1050 West Potrero Road, Hidden Valley, CA 91361
Contact: +1 8052086961
Website: Epona Estate
6. Relax at the Four Seasons Hotel spa
If you’re wondering what to do in Westlake Village, why not contemplate over a massage? Massages are good for you! So why not have a spa day? The Westlake Village Inn has a spa, but so does the Four Seasons Hotel. They have everything from massages and other body/facial treatments, to a salon, nutrition, fitness, and life balance “classes, consultations, assessments and workshops,” as well as other specials and packages. So if you need to get away, all you need to do is take your pick.
Four Seasons Hotel spa
Address: 2 Dole Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91362
Price: from 160 USD for a 50-minute massage (prices for treatments vary)
Opening Hours: 9:00am - 8:00pm daily
Contact: +1 8185753000
Website: Four Seasons Hotel spa
7. Take a walk in one of the city’s six parks
CMA hosting a booth at BOOGIE NIGHTS concert at Bernice Bennett Park. Great weather and food.
Posted by Children's Music Academy of Westlake Village, CA on Saturday, 22 August 2015
If you want to bring your kids to a playground or just walk around, why not hang out at a park? There are six parks in Westlake Village: “Berniece Bennett, Canyon Oaks, Foxfield, Russell Ranch, Three Springs, and Westlake Community Park. The Parks are open for public use between dawn and dusk,” except for Berniece Bennett, Three Springs Park, and Westlake Community Park. The hours of the parks and fields in them vary by season, so double check the city’s site if you need to.
Bernice Bennett Park
Address: 31800 Village Center Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91361
Price: None
Opening Hours: 6:00am to 10:00pm daily
Website: City Parks
8. Exercise your golf game at the Westlake Golf Course
A look down 8 fairway at the end of a Super Twilight round. Twilight beings at 1 p.m. and Super Twilight begins at 3 p.m. book your tee time by visiting westlakegc.com
Posted by Westlake Golf Course on Tuesday, 3 January 2017
Golfing is often associated with vacation, so why not try your hand? The Westlake Golf Course was built by “famed architect Ted Robinson” in 1967, and “offers an assortment of amenities including a 40-stall night lighted driving range, pro-shop, snack bar, a friendly fully stocked bar, nine teaching professionals, and a practice putting and chipping green.” Lakes and trees provide a challenge if you want one, or you could just enjoy the green. Visit their website for rates and specials.
Westlake Golf Course
Address: 4812 Lakeview Canyon Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91361-4030
Price: from 30 USD (for 18 holes on a weekday)
Opening Hours: 6:00am - 9:00pm daily (daylight to dark)
Duration: The “general guideline” is to play 18 holes in 4 hours
Contact: +1 8188890770
Website: Westlake Golf Course
9. Take a day trip to Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks, California at sunset tonight. Taken with a DJI Phantom 4. #drones
Posted by Jeff Urrea on Thursday, 16 February 2017
One of the things to do in Westlake Village this weekend is visiting Thousand Oaks. It will take you less than ten minutes to get to Thousand Oaks, which is convenient, because there’s a ton of stuff to do there, too. Visit the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, or go see Paradise Falls, a waterfall in Wildwood Regional Park. Visit the Chumash Indian Museum, a wine bar, go shopping, and more!
Thousand Oaks, California
Address: 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Contact: +1 8054492100
Website: Thousand Oaks, California
10. Visit Topanga State Park
If you’re in town to take advantage of the surrounding nature, here’s another park for you. About a 40-minute drive from Westlake Village, Topanga State Park offers various trails that wind through canyons, forests, and boulder outcrops, and even intersects with other state parks. There are hiking trails and trails for horseback riding, and available activities include camping, picnicking, and geocaching, as well as participating in available programs, or visiting the learning center and historical sites.
Topanga State Park
Address: 20828 Entrada Road, Topanga, CA
Price: from 10 USD (parking fee)
Access: “From Pacific Coast Highway, travel north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, pass the post office at the center of ‘town,’ then turn right on Entrada Road. Keep to the left at every opportunity until you reach the park’s main parking lot (about one mile/1.6 km). From the Ventura Freeway (101), exit at Topanga Canyon Boulevard, drive south over the crest of the mountains and proceed three miles (4.8 km) to Entrada Road and turn left.”
Contact: +1 3104552465
Website: Topanga State Park
Not just a village
Whether you’d like to spend the day trekking around trails, parks, and canyons, or stay in and be pampered, this lovely little town is a great place for you. You can enjoy all the nature and quiet Westlake Village has to offer, and if you’d like more to do, Thousand Oaks is less than ten minutes away. The population of Westlake Village may only be just over 8,000 people, but there’s no shortage of activities and moments to experience.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Westlake Village, California
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