Your Guide to Buying a Home in Calabasas, CA

Buying a Home in Calabasas, California

Calabasas is located in Los Angeles County

"Gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains"

Nestled in the oak-filled foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, the upscale community with small town charm has a progressive economy, safe neighborhoods, blue ribbon schools and healthy lifestyle. In addition to its desirable location surrounded by scenic open space, Calabasas is conveniently located near employment opportunities and all of Southern California’s finest attractions. It is simply an ideal place to enjoy life.

Calabasas is admired around the nation, if not the world. It is a model city of prosperity for current residents as well as those who will call it home in the future. A self-sufficient young municipality, Calabasas practices prudent planning allocating for the growth necessary to maintain a desirable residential and business community. Future plans include a state-of-the-art civic center complex with fountains, plazas and a public library. Already in place are popular city operated public transportation programs and bicycle commuter routes. There is also ongoing acquisition of open space. Tomorrow is already here for those who have made Calabasas their home.
Information Courtesy of Calabasa Chamber of Commerce

Calabasas History

On the north side of Calabasas Road is L.A. Historical Cultural Monument Number One, the Leonis Adobe. When Leonis renovated it in the 1870's, he enlarged it extensively and remodeled it into a Monterey-style house. He and Espiritu made it their home.The recent history of the adobe is one of struggles to save both it and its grounds from destruction. In the 1960's, the threat of razing the adobe to build a supermarket led Kathleen Beachy to purchase the property. Toady, it is a superb monument to a bygone era, with meticulously maintained furnishings and grounds, and serves as an anchor for Old Town Calabasas.

The first subdivision in Calabasas, called Park Moderne (in Mulwood near Calabasas High School), was a retreat for artists, craftsmen, and writers. It was built on land traded off as part of Sam Cooper Jr.’s homestead in 1928.

A walk on Calabasas Road in the historic Old Town, takes one past several old buildings. The first, west of the Motion Picture Home, was originally a two-story pioneer store and dwelling owned by Charles and Alice Cooper. Called "Hunter’s Inn," it provided rooms for hunters and travelers. After Charles died, his widow married Lawrence Kramer and together they operated a store until his retiring in 1968.

The next building, walking west, is a rebuilt replica of a garage built in 1921 and owned by the Daic brothers. Operated by Joseph, Charles, and Al Daic, descendants of homesteaders, it was originally a two-pump station. It became a popular movie backdrop in the early 1980's. The Daic brothers built a smaller building next door to the garage, where Gaetano’s is now located. A Touch of Class was the residence of Theresa Thilmony, an early beloved school teacher.

The Leonis Plaza was at one time the site of many small buildings constructed in the 1920's. They were shops for artisans, and one was the home of the Las Virgenes Enterprise. This had formerly been a blacksmith shop belonging to Juan Menendez, the son of Espiritu.

Information on the history of Calabasas area is available at the Kathleen Beachy Memorial Library at Pierce College. Established and maintained by the Calabasas Historical Society, the library is available to researchers.
Information Courtesy of the City of Calabasas

Calabasas & Hollywood

The favorable climate and adjacent hillsides of the Calabasas area make it an ideal location for film making. As early as 1915, Hoot Gibson shot a Western feature here. Nearby Monte Nido provided the background for Tarzan features, as the locale could easily resemble a tropical jungle, the beautiful surroundings of the Leonis Adobe and Saddle Peak Lodge have also been popular locations for a variety of commercials, television programs and films. Calabasas Creek was used for a portion of Stalag 17 and the Adventure of Robin Hood; and Century Ranch (now Malibu Creek State Park) was the site for The Sand Pebbles as well as for the M*A*S*H television series.