A pastoral retreat, hidden in the hills
You can’t see secluded Hidden Hills from the freeway, but it’s tucked away right beside it, a different world cozying itself up to the 101, an antidote to the Southern California madness outside its gates.
Beginnings
In 1950, Hidden Hills was nothing more than two oak trees and two model homes on a long dirt road framed by the rolling western foothills of the San Fernando Valley. A large sign on Ventura Boulevard announced: “1,000 acres of elbow room! Live in Hidden Hills where living is fun! Full acre lots — $4,750.”
FOR THE RECORD:
Neighborly advice: The column on Hidden Hills in Sunday’s Real Estate section said Sotheby’s realty agent Kay Cole lived in the community. She lived there for almost 20 years before moving in 2000. —
Actor Leo Gorcey, one of the original Dead End Kids, bought one of the models for $35,000. Soon, other buyers followed.
Today, Hidden Hills has 2,000 people living in 648 homes in 2 square miles. It retains its rural character by having no sidewalks, no traffic lights and no commercial district. It does, however, have its own school and police force.
This is “the high end of the Valley,” area builder Barry Eglit says.
Even after more than half a century, Hidden Hills maintains its pastoral character and the natural beauty that much of the rest of Southern California has lost.
What it’s about
Drive through the white gates and signs at nearly every corner tell you: “Welcome home! Slow down, relax. Children & horses at play.” Here, nothing comes above family and preserving a tranquil country character — although only a handful of families own horses and actually use their stables for that purpose.Sotheby’s Realtor Kay Cole, who both lives and sells homes in Hidden Hills, likes the safety of the community. Rigid 24-hour security prevents anyone without a pass from entering any of its three guarded gates.
Cole says, “With Hidden Hills, what you’re buying is a lifestyle that happens to have a piece of real estate attached to it.”
Insider’s view
Alaine Balsamo says she loves the quiet ranch-style setting. She and her husband moved to the community in 1993; she’s raised four daughters here and has lived in two houses in Hidden Hills.
“It’s a wonderful place for families,” she says. “Everyone knows everyone, eventually.”
Drawing card
The heart of Hidden Hills is its community association, which maintains a recreation center, a competition-size swimming pool, a state-of-the art live theater, three horse-riding arenas and four tennis courts. The association hosts annual events and festivals.
Housing stock
On the market now is an 8,120-square-foot traditional country house with a pastoral view. On more than an acre of land, it has six bedrooms and 7 1/2 baths, a swimming pool, a guesthouse and a gazebo. The listing price is $6,480,000.
A 15,000-square-foot newly built French chateau on 1 1/3 acres is on the market for $12.5 million. It has five bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, a 12-car garage, an elevator, a home theater, a wine cellar, a guesthouse and a pool.
On the more modest end of the price range is a one-story ranch-style home built in 1976. Its four bedrooms and four baths in 3,550 square feet rest on a little over an acre of land. It has a den, a library, a pool and a spa. It is listed at $2,395,000.
Good news, bad news
The community association sets architectural standards for any new construction or renovation. Although creative freedom may be sacrificed, compliance with the standards helps to preserve the rustic country atmosphere.
The bus stop on the corner of Round Meadow and Jed Smith roads serves as a meeting place for both children and adults. There are walk-to-school Wednesdays, and some parents even pick their kids up on horseback.
Report card
Hidden Hills is part of the Las Virgenes Unified School District. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade attend Round Meadow Elementary School, which scored 903 out of a possible 1,000 on the 2005 Academic Performance Index Growth Report. Older children attend A.E. Wright Middle School and Calabasas High, which scored 844 and 824, respectively.
Sources: Kay Cole, Ewing &
Associates, Sotheby’s
International Realty,
api.cde.ca.gov;
