14 Fun Things To Do in Westlake Village

Photo courtesy Four Seasons Westlake Village

Contributor Mary Noe shares her list of the top fun things to do in Westlake Village California… whether you live here or are visiting

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There are plenty of fun things to do in Westlake Village whether this is your home, your base for exploring SoCal and the Central Coast, or your luxury travel destination in Southern California.

Year-round sunshine and a Mediterranean-like climate make Westlake Village a natural playground and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With easy access to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and local beaches, along with miles of bike and hiking trails, the Westlake Village area offers an abundance of outdoor activities.

More interested in indoor environments? Westlake Village is a favorite destination for top home décor and design shops, as well as unique clothing and jewelry boutiques. The area also offers a rich cultural scene, with museums, galleries, community events, concert performances, and live music venues to suit every taste. Speaking of taste, Westlake Village has become one of the best foodie destinations in Southern California, and local wineries and breweries are attracting a loyal following.

For these and other great ideas of attractions and other top places to visit, be sure to read and share our list of the top things to do in Westlake Village.

FUN THINGS TO DO IN WESTLAKE VILLAGE

1.  Stay in a Luxury Hotel

Whether you’re visiting Southern California, planning a weekend getaway or girls’ trip, or craving a local ‘staycation’, Westlake Village offers some of the best luxury hotels in Southern California. The recently renovated Four Seasons Westlake Village is elegant and sleek – perfect for a romantic getaway or family holiday.

Consistently rated one of the top hotels in Southern California, this popular Westlake Village resort is also home to The California Health & Longevity Institute, a world-class spa and wellness center. The recent addition of the new Coin & Candor brasserie and Prosperous Penny bar, along with the redesigned Onyx Japanese restaurant, has elevated the property’s on-site dining experiences.

Visit Four Seasons Westlake Village for more details. Better still, read our feature story on this elegant luxury hotel here.

The charming Westlake Village Inn is a Mediterranean-style luxury boutique resort hidden in the center of the village. Edged by a lush vineyard on one side and the beautiful Westlake Golf Course on the other, this popular Westlake Village hotel is a top destination for weddings, family vacations, and corporate retreats. The Stonehaus coffee and wine bar is reminiscent of a rustic Tuscan enoteca, and the recently redesigned Mediterraneo restaurant blends Californian and Mediterranean cuisine and style.

The relaxing European ambiance extends to the resort’s new boutique Spa Relais, where pampered guests are revitalized in a stunning Mediterranean setting.

For more ideas and inspiration, check out these great places to stay in Westlake Village.

 2.  Savor Great Food

With an exciting food and drink scene, Westlake Village has become one of Southern California’s top dining destinations. Using the Golden State’s famous farm-fresh produce, seafood, meats, and an abundance of local ingredients, talented local and world-renown chefs are creating enticing cuisine at restaurants both trendy and classic, refined and casual.

Looking for a great brunch spot? Enjoy a casual nosh at Brent’s Deli or a sumptuous repast at Coin & Candor at the Four Seasons Westlake Village. Dine on Mediterraneo’s lush patio or enjoy a classic steak dinner at The Grill on the Alley. Sip wine and munch on authentic wood-fired pizzas overlooking the Stonehaus vineyard or at the cool industrial-modern bar at 101 North Eatery and Bar. From tiny cafés to lux ristorantes, Westlake Village has excellent restaurants for every mood and craving.

3.  Enjoy Fun Upcoming Events and Concerts 

Although Westlake Village is an upscale suburb of Los Angeles, both residents and visitors alike appreciate the special small-town charm of the area. The City of Westlake Village sponsors annual events that encourage community involvement and family fun. Street fairs, art walks, and city-wide reading and cultural programs occur throughout the year. Other popular city-sponsored community events include:

• Saturday concerts in the park – Held on select summer weekends, awesome live bands play everything from country music to classic rock to pop to jazz. Grab a blanket, a picnic, and dance the night away under the stars. Food vendors and trucks are also available at these lively, popular events.

• TGIF at Westlake Village – This series of family-oriented evenings, with food trucks and live entertainment, is fun for all ages!

• The City of Westlake Village goes all-out to celebrate the Fourth of July. The day begins with an early parade that has become a favorite family tradition, complete with decorated bicycles, wagons, and strollers, and the local firetruck decked out in festive red, white, and blue spangles. The parade culminates at a local park, where residents and guests gather for lawn games and fun food. A brilliant fireworks display ends the evening in extravagant color.

• Annual City Celebration – This day-long community event is held at the Westlake Village Civic Center and includes a Family Fun Fair, live entertainment, a dance party zone, and food trucks and vendors.

• An annual Holiday-Sing-Along is hosted by the city each December, with special activities including ornament arts and crafts, cookie and cupcake decorating, photos with Santa, and a toy and food drive for local charities.

Visit www.wlv.org/226/Special-Events for the current schedule of events.

4.  Play Great Golf

Sunset over Westlake Golf Course (Photo courtesy Westlake Golf Course)

Golfers can choose from several outstanding Westlake Village golf courses, including the lovely Westlake Golf Course, a public 18-hole course designed by golf great Ted Robinson. North Ranch Country Club, a private golf, tennis, and social club, is set in the exclusive North Ranch area of Westlake Village, with luxury homes and some of the most sought-after real estate in Southern California.

The prestigious Sherwood Country Club is home to a championship 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course and is one of the top-ranked golf courses in the country. The club hosts the annual Showdown at Sherwood Fall PGA Tour Champions Tournament and is surrounded by some of the most expensive luxury real estate in California.

5.  Sail on Westlake Lake 

Kids learn to sail on Westlake Lake (Photo courtesy Westlake Yacht Club)

In perhaps the most beautiful setting on Westlake Lake, the private, upscale Westlake Yacht Club is a sailing and racing club with an active social calendar and membership that is open to the public. The club sponsors several community-focused events each year, including a rousing Fourth of July regatta and celebration, pancake breakfasts, and a festive holiday boat parade and party joined by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

A popular junior sailing program is offered each summer, and the lake-side setting is a gorgeous wedding or special event venue. Visit www.westlakeyc.org for information about memberships and social events.

6.  Join the Club

Westlake Athletic Club: fun for all ages (Photo courtesy Westlake Athletic Club)

The Westlake Athletic Club offers tennis, aquatics, and lots of fun for fitness enthusiasts and families. With 12 recently resurfaced, lighted tennis courts, the club offers popular junior and adult programs, as well as clinics and private lessons for all skill levels and ages. With a beautiful lake-side setting, the club is home to the annual USTA-sanctioned National Men’s 45 Hardcourt Championships.

The club’s aquatic program is also popular, with a six-lane Olympic pool geared for lap swimming and water fitness classes. A newly renovated fitness center rounds out the training and workout facilities.

7.  Shop ‘til You Drop

Luxury shopping and indulgent spa and wellness treatments are also available throughout the area. Visit The Promenade, an outdoor collection of designer and high-end retail shops, including Lululemon, Brandy Melville, Joie, Sharon Segal Nina Segal, Restoration Hardware, Cost Plus World Market, and Sur La Table.

At the Westlake Plaza, find unique clothing, jewelry, and accessories at Burro, M. Fredric, Sugar, Siany Boutique, and Moyen & Co Jewellers. Soto and Soto Lifestyle in the Westlake Commons are also local clothing and accessory favorites. Visit Remedy Skin + Body for aesthetic dermatology, John of Italy for salon and spa needs, or Bluemercury, Planet Beauty, or Sephora for cosmetic, beauty, and skincare products.

For home décor and design, don’t miss Farmhouse Comforts, located in the Lindero Oaks Shopping Center. This unique shop carries vintage furniture, ‘farm style’ chic clothing, jewelry, accessories, and rustic home décor. A Beautiful Mess Home and Garden, set in nearby Agoura Hills, specializes in one-of-a-kind textiles, home décor, furniture, lighting, and more.

8.  Explore the Santa Monica Mountains

The region is known for its incredible outdoor life, and visitors and residents can take advantage of the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, part of the National Park Service. Explore more than 40 miles of beaches and 500 miles of trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, climbing, camping, horseback riding, and wildflower and wildlife viewing.

Explore Paramount Ranch, the famous setting for dozens of television shows and movies over the decades, or hike to the M*A*S*H* or Planet of the Apes sets in Malibu Creek State Park. Visit the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center to learn more about the culture and lifestyle of the Native American Indians who once inhabited this land.

9.  Take a Hike or Grab a Bike

Westlake Village has many great biking routes (Photo courtesy Four Seasons Westlake Village)

Westlake Village is known for its numerous walking paths and gorgeous bike trails and is a haven for recreational biking. The internationally competitive Amgen Tour of California bike race often winds through the area, which is also a training ground for world-class cyclists.

The city has recently expanded walking and biking paths throughout Westlake Village, improving beautiful routes around Westlake Lake and along the greens of Westlake Golf Course. Venture into the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to hike or mountain bike over 500 miles of trails. Local favorites include Malibu Creek State Park, Chesebro Canyon, and Wildwood Park. Visit www.wlv.org/109/Hiking-Trails for a trail map and additional resources.

10.  Visit a SoCal Beach 

The best beaches in Southern California are just minutes away via the tunnels of legendary Kanan Road or the canyon-hugging Las Virgines/Malibu Canyon Road. In Malibu, visit Zuma Beach for wide stretches of sand and sun-lovers, and Westward Beach for rock climbing and hiking.

Want to catch a wave? Head to Surfrider Beach at the Malibu Pier where you can watch the locals surf, or climb down steep stairs to the more secluded coves and hidden caves at El Matador State Beach. Topanga Beach is just south along Pacific Coast Highway and Leo Carrillo State Beach, with tidepools, sea caves, hiking, and camping, is on the west end of Malibu.

11.  Visit Gardens of the World

In nearby Thousand Oaks, the Gardens of the World offers a tranquil botanical escape where a variety of internationally inspired gardens can be enjoyed on a tour or self-guided visit. In addition to the stunning Japanese, Italian, French, Mission, and English Perennial and Rose Gardens, the site hosts art exhibits, open-air concerts, and an annual summer jazz series.

A replica American Bandstand is the setting for the outdoor concerts, with seating in a grassy amphitheater with picnic areas nearby. For information about events and concerts, visit www.gardensoftheworld.info.

12.  See a Movie

In the mood for a movie? Westlake Village offers several choices for your viewing pleasure. For the ultimate in luxurious comfort, check out Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas in The Promenade shopping center, where servers bring craft cocktails and delicious snacks right to your plush, reclining leather seat.

The Regency Westlake Village Twin Theatre specializes in indie and foreign films and is located in the heart of Westlake Village.

13.  Sip and Savor Local California Wines

The nearby Malibu wine region (Malibu Coast AVA) is said to be California’s oldest wine region, and vintners here are producing award-winning wines. Explore the area on a guided wine tour or enjoy tastings along the Malibu Coast Wine Trail.

In Westlake Village, be sure to stop at the Stonehaus at the Westlake Village Inn to stroll the lush vineyards and sip a glass of house rosé. NABU Wines, a winery and tasting room with live music and a local crowd, was voted Best Wine Bar 2019 by the Los Angeles Daily News. Popular neighborhood breweries and craft cocktail bars also offer lots of creative beverage choices with a local twist.

14.  Sample Westlake Village Nightlife

Looking for the best things to do in Westlake Village at night? The vibrant nightlife scene is constantly expanding, with many area bars and restaurants featuring music by top artists. Live music venues like the nearby Bank of America Performing Arts Center and The Canyon Club attract world-class performers, from opera greats to legendary classic rock bands.

Bogie’s at The Westlake Village Inn is a popular bar and dance club that features a full schedule of live bands, and guests at the Stonehaus can enjoy live acoustic music on weekends. Zin Bistro Americana is a lively contemporary restaurant and bar that features live music in a beautiful setting overlooking Westlake Lake.

Whether you are visiting this SoCal gem or are lucky enough to live here, let LuxuryWestlakeVillage be your personal guide to the best experiences and top things to do in lovely Westlake Village.

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From Napa to Barcelona, Contributor Mary Noe loves to discover local food, culture, customs, and personalities.