Introduction: A Local’s Perspective
Calabasas has long held a unique position in Southern California real estate. It’s a city that blends privacy, prestige, and practicality — appealing equally to families, executives, creatives, and long-term investors. While it’s often associated with celebrity headlines, locals know the real story: Calabasas is about gated communities, top-tier schools, family-favorite shops & restaurants, access to scenic nature and Malibu beaches, and a lifestyle that feels insulated yet connected.
Located at the western end of Los Angeles County, Calabasas sits perfectly between the San Fernando Valley, Malibu, and the Conejo Valley. It offers easy freeway access, scenic canyon views, and neighborhoods that feel intentionally designed rather than overbuilt. Some neighborhoods include: The Oaks, Calabasas Park, Calabasas Hills, Hidden Hills (adjacent), Mountain View Estates, Mulwood, Greater Mulwood, Saratoga Hills, and Old Topanga.
For buyers considering a move, Calabasas isn’t just about where you live — it’s about how you live. Working with a top real estate team like the Lydia Gable Realty Group at Compass can help you navigate the nuances of this affluent city and lifestyle. To start, here are five things every home buyer should understand before making Calabasas their home.
1. Lifestyle & Local Vibe
Calabasas offers a quiet luxury lifestyle. Days feel calm, evenings are peaceful, and weekends revolve around outdoor activity, family time, and dining locally. While the city is famously private, it’s also surprisingly community-oriented and offers upscale cafes, restaurants and social life.
You’ll find:
Families who prioritize education and safety
Executives and entrepreneurs seeking privacy
Long-term residents who rarely leave once settled
Community life centers around parks, hiking trails, youth sports, and local events rather than nightlife. Residents value space, security, and predictability — which is exactly why Calabasas maintains such strong long-term home values.
2. Schools & Education: A Major Driver of Demand
Calabasas is served primarily by the Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD), one of the most respected public school districts in California. This alone draws many buyers from other parts of Los Angeles.
Notable schools include:
Calabasas High School – Known for strong academics, arts, and athletics
Chaparral Elementary – A top-rated feeder school
Bay Laurel Elementary – Highly sought after by local families
Alice C. Stelle Middle School – Strong academic performance and programs
Private school options nearby include Viewpoint School, Louisville High School, and Harvard-Westlake (within commuting distance). School quality directly impacts buyer demand, particularly for homes zoned to LVUSD campuses.
When school boundaries are a priority in your home-buying decision, the local experts at Lydia Gable Realty Group can help guide you through family-first considerations, and neighborhood nuances.
3. Real Estate Market & Neighborhoods in Calabasas
Calabasas real estate is defined by gated communities, hillside estates, and thoughtfully planned suburban neighborhoods. Buyers here are typically long-term oriented, prioritizing security, school quality, and lifestyle consistency over short-term appreciation cycles.
Estate buyers often cross-shop The Oaks and Hidden Hills, while family buyers often compare Calabasas Hills and Calabasas Park/ Lake. Before we break down the details of each neighborhood, here is a partial comparison summary of some of the popular central Calabasas communities.
The Oaks of Calabasas (Ultra-Private, Estate Living)
One of Calabasas’ most desired gated luxury communities.
Home style & age
Large estate-style homes
Mostly built in the late 1990s–early 2000s
Grand floorplans, high ceilings, sizeable lots
Buyers
Executives, entertainers, and public figures
Buyers prioritizing security, privacy, and prestige
Families seeking gated amenities and community status
Calabasas Hills
Calabasas Hills is one of the most recognizable gated communities in Calabasas, offering a more approachable entry point compared to The Oaks or Calabasas Park Estates and other ultra-luxury guard-gated enclaves nearby. Built primarily in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the neighborhood consists mostly of Mediterranean two-story single-family homes with practical floor plans and manageable lot sizes.
What makes Calabasas Hills distinct:
Guard-gated entry with 24-hour security
Community pool, tennis, pickleball and park
Close proximity to Bay Laurel Elementary
Walkable access to The Commons and local shopping
Homes range from approximately 1,800 to 2,800 square feet.
Lots are smaller than estate neighborhoods but often still have a private pool
Calabasas Hills is a strong option for buyers who want the Calabasas lifestyle, security, and school access. It appeals particularly to:
Families relocating from Los Angeles
Buyers prioritizing Las Virgenes schools
Professionals wanting a lock-and-leave gated option
Move-down buyers seeking security and simplicity
Calabasas Park Estates
Calabasas Park Estates is a luxury guard-gated enclave, not to be confused with “Calabasas Park”, or neighboring Calabasas Hills Estates.
Homes in Calabasas Park Estates feature:
Built: Mid-1990s
Home size: 3,500–5,500+ sq ft
Lots: Larger, some view lots
Guard gate: Yes (separate entrance from Calabasas Hills)
Amenities: Private, estate-style streets
Walkability: Less walkable; more estate-oriented
Calabasas Park Estates is more upscale than Calabasas Hills. Homes are larger, lots are wider, architecture is more custom-feeling, and pricing reflects that. It sits further south above Lake Calabasas and has more of a prestige, executive feel.
Calabasas Park and Lake Calabasas (Lake, Country Club, Walkable Lifestyle)
Calabasas Park provides proximity to the Calabasas Country Club, an area that blends convenience with lifestyle.
Mix of condos, townhomes, and single-family residences
Mostly built from the 1980s–1990s
Golf course and greenbelt views in select locations
Calabasas Park also surrounds Lake Calabasas which features:
waterfront homes with private docks (non-motorized lake)
homes with lake access pathways
built primarily in the late 1960s–1970s (with many remodels/rebuilds)
smaller lots
premium positioning and views
Buyers
Professionals and downsizers
Buyers seeking walkability to The Commons or Lake Calabasas
Golf and country club and/or lakefront lifestyle enthusiasts
Hidden Hills (Celebrity Haven & Equestrian Community)
While technically its own incorporated city, Hidden Hills functions as part of the greater Calabasas luxury ecosystem and is often searched alongside it. Hidden Hills is a private, guard-gated, equestrian-focused community known for celebrity and executive clientele, lot acreage, and estate-scale properties.
Originally developed in the 1950s with home sizes varying from 4,000 square feet to custom homes beyond 10,000 square feet, Hidden Hills features:
Custom estates on large parcels (often 1+ acre)
Equestrian zoning with horse trails throughout the community
Ranch-style architecture mixed with modern rebuilds
Guard-gated security and controlled access
Significant celebrity and high-profile homeowner presence
Include guest houses, tennis courts, barns, pools, and resort-style grounds
What makes Hidden Hills different from Calabasas guard-gated communities:
Larger lots
Rural, equestrian character
No through traffic
Strong emphasis on privacy and discretion
Buyers drawn to Hidden Hills are typically looking for:
Maximum privacy and Ultra-luxury
Equestrian zoned
Privacy, seekers of land and space
Legacy-style estate properties
A rural atmosphere within minutes of Malibu and the 101 freeway
Because inventory is limited and homes trade quietly, working with a local expert at the Lydia Gable Realty Group with off-market access is often essential in this segment. Ask us about Compass Private Exclusives in Calabasas.
Mulwood & Greater Mulwood (Family-Focused, School-Centric)
Among the most sought-after neighborhoods for families within LVUSD.
Home style & age
Primarily single-family homes
Built mainly in the 1960s–1970s
Larger lots than many gated communities
Buyers
Families prioritizing school proximity and value
Buyers wanting space without gated HOA structure
Long-term homeowners focused on resale stability
Mountain View Estates (Newer Gated Community)
A gated enclave offering more modern construction.
Home style & age
Built primarily in the late 1990s
Spacious, traditional layouts
Managed HOA with controlled access
Buyers
Move-up families
Buyers seeking newer construction without ultra-luxury pricing
Those wanting gated security with community feel
Saratoga Hills & Old Topanga Areas (Character & Canyon Living)
Ideal for buyers drawn to architectural variety and natural surroundings.
Home style & age
Hillside and canyon properties
Wide range of construction eras
More custom and semi-custom homes
Buyers
Creatives and remote professionals
Buyers prioritizing privacy and views
Those comfortable with winding roads and hillside living
Deer Springs & Calabasas View
View seekers, custom-home shoppers, and buyers wanting hillside character over tract uniformity are drawn to Calabasas View and Deer Springs.
These two neighborhoods sit in the most westerly portion of Calabasas, at the border of Agoura Hills, and are often grouped together by locals because of their proximity — but they each offer a slightly different living experience.
Deer Springs
Deer Springs offers a quiet, more established feel. Homes tend to sit on larger parcels with mature landscaping and a sense of separation between neighbors. Architectural styles vary, including traditional, Mediterranean, and updated modern renovations.
Built: Primarily 1970s–1980s
Home style: Custom and semi-custom homes
Lot size: Larger hillside lots
HOA: Generally none
This neighborhood appeals to buyers who:
Prefer no guard gate
Want more individuality in architecture
Appreciate hillside views
Without ultra-luxury pricing
It feels residential and understated — not flashy, but very livable.
Calabasas View
Calabasas View sits higher in elevation, and many homes capture expansive valley or mountain views. Streets are more uniform than Deer Springs, but still less so than Calabasas Hills.
Built: Late 1980s–early 1990s
Home style: Contemporary Mediterranean and traditional
Lot size: Moderate hillside parcels
HOA: Yes (typically modest)
Buyers here often want:
Views without the cost of moving into The Oaks
A cohesive neighborhood feel
Updated two-story homes with modernized interiors
Proximity to Las Virgenes schools
It’s often considered a sweet spot between custom hillside living and structured community feel.
There are more neighborhoods in Calabasas we haven’t listed, so if you have questions about those nuances, or are relocating and need help from local experts, please contact the Lydia Gable Realty Group.
4. Commute, Access & Corporate Proximity
Calabasas offers excellent freeway access via the US-101, connecting residents to Woodland Hills, Westlake Village, Beverly Hills, and downtown Los Angeles.
Approximate drive times:
Malibu: 15-20 minutes
Westlake Village: 15–20 minutes
Santa Monica: 30–45 minutes (traffic dependent)
Calabasas is also home to or near several notable corporate offices, including The Cheesecake Factory headquarters and proximity to major employers throughout the Warner Center business district. Many residents work hybrid or remote, making Calabasas’ quiet residential environment especially appealing.
Healthcare access includes nearby Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Health facilities and Los Robles Regional Medical Center.
5. Things to Do & Local Hot Spots
Despite its low-key nature, Calabasas has no shortage of beloved local destinations. Popular spots include:
The Commons at Calabasas – Central gathering place with dining and shopping
Porter Valley Country Club – Golf, tennis, and social events
Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center – Community favorite
Calabasas Country Club - Members only Golf, no tennis
Calabasas Pickleball Club - Members only pickleball with over a dozen dedicated courts
Lake Calabasas - duffy-life, park and lakefront walking paths
Local restaurants and cafés frequently recognized as favorites and community-voted bests include:
Rosti
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy direct access to Topanga State Park, Malibu beaches, local trailheads, and canyon drives — all contributing to Calabasas’ appeal as a lifestyle-first city. Popular events like the Summer Concert Series at Calabasas Lake and holiday festivals are well attended and much enjoyed by the community.
SunSets Summer Concert Series
FAQ: Moving to Calabasas
IS CALABASAS A GOOD PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY?
What types of homes are most common in Calabasas?
How does Calabasas compare to Westlake Village or Agoura Hills?
Is Calabasas convenient for commuting?
Is Calabasas the Right Place to Call Home?
Who is the best Real Estate Agent to represent me as a home buyer in calabasas
If you’re considering buying a home in Calabasas, working with a local team who understands neighborhood nuances, school boundaries, and long-term value truly matters.
Ready to explore homes for sale in Calabasas? Connect with Lydia Gable Realty Group, your trusted Conejo Valley and Calabasas real estate experts who know every neighborhood, gate, and lifestyle difference that makes Calabasas unique.
