Hidden Hills

When you live amid the oaks and olive trees in Hidden Hills, you can enjoy the epitome of luxury, privacy, education and community just half an hour from Malibu. “With three guard-gated entrances, Hidden Hills offers the kind of security that allows high-profile people to live a normal life,” says Marc Shevin, broker associate with Douglas Elliman of California. Shevin and his two daughters, Sara and Hanna, have sold many homes in this exclusive neighborhood and know just how welcoming it is beyond the gates: “Right when you enter, there’s a sign that says, 'Welcome home. Relax, children and horses at play.' It’s a very low-key community with an open country vibe,” Shevin says.

Part of what contributes to that open feeling is the fact that the community does not allow walled estates, so no single property is closed off from surrounding homes. “They do require at least 50 feet between homes, though,” Shevin notes, so you’ll never feel crowded by your neighbors. Homes can come in all shapes and sizes, from 4,000-square-foot contemporary ranch-style homes that list for around $5 million to massive 20,000-square-foot mansions that top out at more than $35 million. Almost every lot is at least an acre, and some properties come with expansive patios, stables, resort-style pools, tennis courts or mini orchards already established, so you’ll be ready to entertain guests as soon as you settle in.

And once you’ve settled, you’ll find yourself among good company: Kim Kardashian, Will Smith and Miley Cyrus have all called Hidden Hills home, along with an astonishing list of professional basketball players, movie producers and famous musicians. But with 24-hour gated security, even the most high-profile residents can relax and be themselves, enjoying perks like the weekly Tuesday farmers market at the community center and more than 20 miles of hiking and equestrian trails within the city.

Students, too, benefit from the neighborhood’s privacy, as Round Meadow Elementary School is located just a few feet outside of Hidden Hills’ southern gate, making it easy for parents to drop their kids off in the morning. Part of the highly rated Las Virgenes Unified School District, Round Meadow maintains a grade of A on Niche, as do the local middle and high schools. At A.E. Wright Middle, students can participate in a rigorous IB Program. At Calabasas High, students can get a head start on a career that interests them with the Career and Technical Education program, which offers courses in fields such as sports medicine, culinary arts and technical theater.

After a long week, residents of Hidden Hills can escape to the serene landscape of the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, which sits just beyond the community’s western gate. Covering more than 5,000 acres, the preserve is a hilly haven for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. In early summer, you may spot the delicate white inflorescence of the endangered San Fernando Valley spineflower as you cruise along natural trails lined with wild grasses. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can make the mile trek north to explore the caves outside Bell Canyon Park — you might even try your hand at a few free climbs.

When you’ve pushed your bike to the limit, and you hear your stomach growling, solve two problems at once by stopping for a meal at Pedalers Fork. As a restaurant and bike shop in one, Pedalers Fork welcomes you to enjoy seasonal menu items like soppressata and truffle honey pizza while the caring staff gives your wheels a tune-up. And if you get yourself on the “Speakeasy Nights” list, you’ll be invited to exclusive events on nights when the restaurant is typically closed. A few blocks south, you’ll find a delicate dining experience at Toscanova, an upscale Italian restaurant where you can eat the rich mushroom risotto while sipping a refreshing signature peach martini. And when you’re craving comfort food, take your taste buds on a trip to New York with a freshly shaved pastrami sandwich from Lovi’s Delicatessen, where you’ll also find savory Mexican brunch specialties such as huevos rancheros.

You won’t have to go far to create your own hearty breakfast at home, though, as Trader Joe’s is located just outside the neighborhood in The Commons at Calabasas shopping center. While you may find other SoCal communities with similarly priced homes or excellent schools, Hidden Hills offers all that combined with secure, gated entry and proximity to the beach. So, if you’re looking for a neighborhood with a welcoming feel and an estate fit for a king — or a Kardashian — you might find the privacy and camaraderie you’re looking for in Hidden Hills.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Derrick Harvey

Video By

Nathan Allen