Bell Canyon, California
Encyclopedia
Bell Canyon is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Ventura County
, California
. Bell Canyon is a residential unincorporated community located near West Hills
and the western San Fernando Valley
in the Simi Hills
. Although only minutes from the Los Angeles
city limits, Bell Canyon is a Horse Community
. Bell Canyon sits at an elevation of 1368 feet (417 m). The 2010 United States census reported Bell Canyon's population was 2,049.
peoples lived and traded together. Nearby is the Burro Flats Painted Cave
. Escorpión Peak (aka: Castle Peak) is one of nine alignment points in Chumash territory and is essential to maintaining the balance of the natural world.
In 1845 the Mexican land grant for Rancho El Escorpión
, named for the peak and located beside it at the mouth of Bell Canyon, was given by Mexican Governor Pío Pico
. Chumash-Ventureño Chief Odón Eusebia (1795–), his brother-in-law Urbano, and Urbano’s son Mañuel were the grantees of the Rancho
grant, formerly Mission San Fernando Rey de España
(Mission San Fernando) lands. After California U.S. statehood, as required by the Land Act of 1851, a claim for Rancho El Escorpión was filed with the United States Public Land Commission
in 1852, and the grant was patented to Odón Eusebia, Urbano, and Mañuel in 1876. In 1871, Miguel Leonis acquired Odón Eusebia's holdings of Rancho El Escorpión, along with an adobe on the adjacent southern ranch lands in Calabasas. He used the land for cattle and sheep herds. Through various landowners that use continued at the Rancho until 1959 and Bell Canyon until 1967.
joined in a partnership to purchase the geographic Bell Canyon area to develop the future community of Bell Canyon. In the fall of 1968, the Bell Canyon Equestrian Center, designed by renowned 'Southern California
modern ranch style' architect Cliff May
, was built and began operation. In 1969 a new subdivision called "Woodland Hills Country Estates" was developed and opened for sales. It was a success, selling nearly all the 800 home site lots within ten days. In the fall of 1969 the new residential property owners took leadership of the community association and renamed the development "Bell Canyon," after Charles A. Bell, the original homesteader here and son of pioneer Horace Bell. He was a leading late 1880s newspaper publisher, Los Angeles attorney winning many cases for clients against neighbor Miguel Leonis, and the 1906 Justice of the Peace
for Calabasas
. Legend says he lost a right arm in an 1887 shootout when raiding a moonshiner. The Rancho El Escorpión
compound adobes, from the 1840s to the 1960s at the mouth of Bell Canyon, were actually outside the land grant and on Bell's property.
, a 'national parkland blue line stream' and a significant tributary to the headwaters
of the Los Angeles River
, winds its way through the community and plays host to a multitude of wildlife such as deer, coyote, hawks, squirrel, fox, woodpeckers and quail in its riparian
habitat
. Bell Canyon is an important part of the crucial Simi Hills
Wildlife corridor
linking migrations between the Santa Monica Mountains
and Santa Susana Mountains
.
There are many hiking and riding trails around the community, some of which border the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve
Park, the former Ahmanson Ranch, connecting to the south and west. The Bell Canyon Trail extends 4.5 miles (7.2 km) north from Bell Canyon Park
, with a surface of sand and dirt and a width of 12–14 feet for easy rides. The Canyon Trail is scenic and winds through the lush California native plants
vegetation of Bell Canyon, dominated above by California Sycamore trees and the Coast Live Oak woodlands
. Bell Canyon Trail crosses Bell Creek
at various locations. It is the main route for Bell Canyon's trails' network providing many link and loop opportunities within the community and to the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve. Chastain Falls, a waterfall named after Charles Chastain, is only be reached by hiking on trails up Bell Canyon The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
has a branch up the canyon.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP covers an area of 3.6 square miles (9.4 km²), all of it land.
was 565.8 people per square mile (218.5/km²). The racial makeup of Bell Canyon was 1,724 (84.1%) White, 58 (2.8%) African American, 4 (0.2%) Native American, 179 (8.7%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 10 (0.5%) from other races
, and 74 (3.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 103 persons (5.0%).
The Census reported that 2,049 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 661 households, out of which 286 (43.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 533 (80.6%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 40 (6.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 19 (2.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 15 (2.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 8 (1.2%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 45 households (6.8%) were made up of individuals and 15 (2.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10. There were 592 families
(89.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.23.
The population was spread out with 521 people (25.4%) under the age of 18, 152 people (7.4%) aged 18 to 24, 287 people (14.0%) aged 25 to 44, 839 people (40.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 250 people (12.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.5 years. For every 100 females there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.
There were 688 housing units at an average density of 190.0 per square mile (73.4/km²), of which 629 (95.2%) were owner-occupied, and 32 (4.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%. 1,933 people (94.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 116 people (5.7%) lived in rental housing units.
Bell Canyon has developed into an extremely affluent area of 800 'estate homes', each on a 1/2 acre to 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) parcel. Many of the area's equestrian properties have stable
s, paddocks, turnouts and other horse facilities. It's compared to nearby Hidden Hills
a few miles to the south. Both Bell Canyon and Hidden Hills have security procedures at 24 hour guarded entrance
gates, security patrols, and spacious residential zoning. Bell Canyon's differences are: unique topographic features; higher hillside elevations; isolation; and some architecturally notable houses designed by architects including Marshall Lewis, Don Zavatto, Ed Niles, Robert Byrd, Blair Ballard, Buff and Hensman, and pioneer of the post-war California ranch-style house, Cliff May
.
is the Cliff May
designed Bell Canyon Equestrian Center, a Class-A equestrian
facility which offers a wide variety of training in English-hunters, equitation, show jumping as well as western riding. Built in the early sixties, this facility has recently been restored and returned to its intended state-of-the-art condition via a $537,000.00 renovation project that took nearly 2 years to complete. It is one of the few remaining full-service equestrian centers in the area. The grounds, which can accommodate up to 120 horses, feature four barns with 80 stalls, 12 x 24 corrals, three sand riding arenas, two enclosed bullpens and hot walker, and tree shaded picnic areas.
, with students bussed each day to attend the schools of: Round Meadow Elementary School, Alice C. Stelle Middle School, and Calabasas High School
.
and music industries; business executives; and professionals.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Ventura County
Ventura County, California
Ventura County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It is located on California's Pacific coast. It is often referred to as the Gold Coast, and has a reputation of being one of the safest populated places and one of the most affluent places in the country...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Bell Canyon is a residential unincorporated community located near West Hills
West Hills, Los Angeles, California
West Hills is an affluent community and district in the western San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, United States.West Hills is bordered by Chatsworth and the Chatsworth Reservoir to the north, Canoga Park to the east, Woodland Hills to the south, Hidden Hills to the southwest,...
and the western San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
in the Simi Hills
Simi Hills
The Simi Hills are a low rocky mountain range of the Transverse Ranges, located in eastern Ventura County and western Los Angeles County, of southern California, United States.-Geography:...
. Although only minutes from the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
city limits, Bell Canyon is a Horse Community
Horse Community
A horse community or equestrian community is a planned real estate development or community where people live with their horses on their property or at a facility within the rural or suburban development, with a shared trails network for pleasure riding...
. Bell Canyon sits at an elevation of 1368 feet (417 m). The 2010 United States census reported Bell Canyon's population was 2,049.
Pre-20th century
Chumash Native Americans lived in the canyon, research shows, for around 8,000 years B.P. The Chumash had the village of Hu'wam here in the canyon on Bell Creek upstream from Escorpión Peak. It was multi-cultural, where Chumash, Tongva, and TataviamTataviam
The Tataviam , were called the Alliklik by their neighbors the Chumash , are a Native American group in southern California...
peoples lived and traded together. Nearby is the Burro Flats Painted Cave
Burro Flats Painted Cave
Burro Flats Painted Cave is in the Burro Flats area of the Simi Hills, located between the Simi Valley, and West Hills and Bell Canyon, in Ventura County of Southern California, United States. It is a Cave containing Chumash Native American pictographs...
. Escorpión Peak (aka: Castle Peak) is one of nine alignment points in Chumash territory and is essential to maintaining the balance of the natural world.
In 1845 the Mexican land grant for Rancho El Escorpión
Rancho El Escorpión
Rancho El Escorpión was a Mexican land grant in present day Los Angeles County, California given in 1845 by Governor Pío Pico to three Chumash Native Americans - Odón Eusebia, Urbano, and Mañuel....
, named for the peak and located beside it at the mouth of Bell Canyon, was given by Mexican Governor Pío Pico
Pío Pico
Pío de Jesús Pico was the last Governor of Alta California under Mexican rule.-Origins:...
. Chumash-Ventureño Chief Odón Eusebia (1795–), his brother-in-law Urbano, and Urbano’s son Mañuel were the grantees of the Rancho
Ranchos of California
The Spanish, and later the Méxican government encouraged settlement of territory now known as California by the establishment of large land grants called ranchos, from which the English ranch is derived. Devoted to raising cattle and sheep, the owners of the ranchos attempted to pattern themselves...
grant, formerly Mission San Fernando Rey de España
Mission San Fernando Rey de España
Mission San Fernando Rey de España was founded on "The Feast of the Birth of Mary" , 1797. The settlement is located on the former Encino Rancho in the Mission Hills community of northern Los Angeles, near the site of the first gold discovery in Alta California.-History:Mission San Fernando Rey de...
(Mission San Fernando) lands. After California U.S. statehood, as required by the Land Act of 1851, a claim for Rancho El Escorpión was filed with the United States Public Land Commission
Public Land Commission
The Public Land Commission, a former agency of the United States government, was created following the admission of California as a state in 1850 . The Commission's purpose was to determine the validity of prior Spanish and Mexican land grants in California.California Senator William M...
in 1852, and the grant was patented to Odón Eusebia, Urbano, and Mañuel in 1876. In 1871, Miguel Leonis acquired Odón Eusebia's holdings of Rancho El Escorpión, along with an adobe on the adjacent southern ranch lands in Calabasas. He used the land for cattle and sheep herds. Through various landowners that use continued at the Rancho until 1959 and Bell Canyon until 1967.
20th century - onward
In 1967 the Spruce Land Corporation and Boise CascadeBoise Cascade
Boise Cascade Holdings, LLC, which uses the trade name Boise, is an American pulp and paper company, ranked as the thirteenth largest forest products company in the world....
joined in a partnership to purchase the geographic Bell Canyon area to develop the future community of Bell Canyon. In the fall of 1968, the Bell Canyon Equestrian Center, designed by renowned 'Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
modern ranch style' architect Cliff May
Cliff May
Cliff May was an architect practicing in California best known and remembered for developing the suburban Post-war "dream home" — the California Ranch House.-Projects and the Ranch-style house:...
, was built and began operation. In 1969 a new subdivision called "Woodland Hills Country Estates" was developed and opened for sales. It was a success, selling nearly all the 800 home site lots within ten days. In the fall of 1969 the new residential property owners took leadership of the community association and renamed the development "Bell Canyon," after Charles A. Bell, the original homesteader here and son of pioneer Horace Bell. He was a leading late 1880s newspaper publisher, Los Angeles attorney winning many cases for clients against neighbor Miguel Leonis, and the 1906 Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
for Calabasas
Calabasas, California
Calabasas is an affluent city in Los Angeles County, California in the western United States. It is located in the hills in the southwestern San Fernando Valley and the Santa Monica Mountains between Woodland Hills, Agoura Hills, West Hills, and Malibu, California. As of the 2010 census, the city...
. Legend says he lost a right arm in an 1887 shootout when raiding a moonshiner. The Rancho El Escorpión
Rancho El Escorpión
Rancho El Escorpión was a Mexican land grant in present day Los Angeles County, California given in 1845 by Governor Pío Pico to three Chumash Native Americans - Odón Eusebia, Urbano, and Mañuel....
compound adobes, from the 1840s to the 1960s at the mouth of Bell Canyon, were actually outside the land grant and on Bell's property.
Geography and environment
Bell CreekBell Creek (Southern California)
Bell Creek is a tributary of the Los Angeles River, in the Simi Hills of Ventura County and the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County and City, in Southern California.-Route:...
, a 'national parkland blue line stream' and a significant tributary to the headwaters
Source (river or stream)
The source or headwaters of a river or stream is the place from which the water in the river or stream originates.-Definition:There is no universally agreed upon definition for determining a stream's source...
of the Los Angeles River
Los Angeles River
The Los Angeles River is a river that starts in the San Fernando Valley, in the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains, and flows through Los Angeles County, California, from Canoga Park in the western end of the San Fernando Valley, nearly southeast to its mouth in Long Beach...
, winds its way through the community and plays host to a multitude of wildlife such as deer, coyote, hawks, squirrel, fox, woodpeckers and quail in its riparian
Riparian zone
A riparian zone or riparian area is the interface between land and a river or stream. Riparian is also the proper nomenclature for one of the fifteen terrestrial biomes of the earth. Plant habitats and communities along the river margins and banks are called riparian vegetation, characterized by...
habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
. Bell Canyon is an important part of the crucial Simi Hills
Simi Hills
The Simi Hills are a low rocky mountain range of the Transverse Ranges, located in eastern Ventura County and western Los Angeles County, of southern California, United States.-Geography:...
Wildlife corridor
Wildlife corridor
A wildlife corridor or green corridor is an area of habitat connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities . This allows an exchange of individuals between populations, which may help prevent the negative effects of inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity that often occur within...
linking migrations between the Santa Monica Mountains
Santa Monica Mountains
The Santa Monica Mountains are a Transverse Range in Southern California, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in the United States.-Geography:...
and Santa Susana Mountains
Santa Susana Mountains
The Santa Susana Mountains are a transverse range of mountains in southern California, north of the city of Los Angeles, in the United States. The range runs east-west separating the San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley on its south, from Santa Clara River Valley to the north, and Santa Clarita...
.
There are many hiking and riding trails around the community, some of which border the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve
Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve
The Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve is a large open space nature preserve owned and operated by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy spanning nearly in the Simi Hills of western Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County....
Park, the former Ahmanson Ranch, connecting to the south and west. The Bell Canyon Trail extends 4.5 miles (7.2 km) north from Bell Canyon Park
Bell Canyon Park
Bell Canyon Park is a large open-space regional park located in the Simi Hills at the western end of the San Fernando Valley in West Hills and Bell Canyon, California. Bell Creek, a primary tributary to the Los Angeles River, flows through the park with riparian zone vegetation along its natural...
, with a surface of sand and dirt and a width of 12–14 feet for easy rides. The Canyon Trail is scenic and winds through the lush California native plants
California native plants
California native plants are plants that existed in California prior to the arrival of European explorers and colonists in the late 18th century...
vegetation of Bell Canyon, dominated above by California Sycamore trees and the Coast Live Oak woodlands
California oak woodland
California oak woodland is a plant community found throughout the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion of California in the United States and northwestern Baja California in Mexico...
. Bell Canyon Trail crosses Bell Creek
Bell Creek (Southern California)
Bell Creek is a tributary of the Los Angeles River, in the Simi Hills of Ventura County and the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County and City, in Southern California.-Route:...
at various locations. It is the main route for Bell Canyon's trails' network providing many link and loop opportunities within the community and to the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve. Chastain Falls, a waterfall named after Charles Chastain, is only be reached by hiking on trails up Bell Canyon The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
thumb|325px|MAP: [[Juan Bautista de Anza]] National Historic Trail routes in [[Arizona]] and [[California]].The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is a National Park Service unit in the United States National Historic Trail and National Millennium Trail programs...
has a branch up the canyon.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP covers an area of 3.6 square miles (9.4 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census reported that Bell Canyon had a population of 2,049. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 565.8 people per square mile (218.5/km²). The racial makeup of Bell Canyon was 1,724 (84.1%) White, 58 (2.8%) African American, 4 (0.2%) Native American, 179 (8.7%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 10 (0.5%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 74 (3.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 103 persons (5.0%).
The Census reported that 2,049 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 661 households, out of which 286 (43.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 533 (80.6%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 40 (6.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 19 (2.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 15 (2.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 8 (1.2%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 45 households (6.8%) were made up of individuals and 15 (2.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10. There were 592 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(89.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.23.
The population was spread out with 521 people (25.4%) under the age of 18, 152 people (7.4%) aged 18 to 24, 287 people (14.0%) aged 25 to 44, 839 people (40.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 250 people (12.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.5 years. For every 100 females there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.
There were 688 housing units at an average density of 190.0 per square mile (73.4/km²), of which 629 (95.2%) were owner-occupied, and 32 (4.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%. 1,933 people (94.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 116 people (5.7%) lived in rental housing units.
Residences
Today private guard-gatedSecurity guard
A security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
Bell Canyon has developed into an extremely affluent area of 800 'estate homes', each on a 1/2 acre to 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) parcel. Many of the area's equestrian properties have stable
Stable
A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals...
s, paddocks, turnouts and other horse facilities. It's compared to nearby Hidden Hills
Hidden Hills, California
Hidden Hills is an incorporated city, and also a gated development in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 1,856 at the 2010 census, down from 1,875 at the 2000 census.It is located in the westernmost San Fernando Valley...
a few miles to the south. Both Bell Canyon and Hidden Hills have security procedures at 24 hour guarded entrance
Security guard
A security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
gates, security patrols, and spacious residential zoning. Bell Canyon's differences are: unique topographic features; higher hillside elevations; isolation; and some architecturally notable houses designed by architects including Marshall Lewis, Don Zavatto, Ed Niles, Robert Byrd, Blair Ballard, Buff and Hensman, and pioneer of the post-war California ranch-style house, Cliff May
Cliff May
Cliff May was an architect practicing in California best known and remembered for developing the suburban Post-war "dream home" — the California Ranch House.-Projects and the Ranch-style house:...
.
Equestrian Center
At the heart of the Horse CommunityHorse Community
A horse community or equestrian community is a planned real estate development or community where people live with their horses on their property or at a facility within the rural or suburban development, with a shared trails network for pleasure riding...
is the Cliff May
Cliff May
Cliff May was an architect practicing in California best known and remembered for developing the suburban Post-war "dream home" — the California Ranch House.-Projects and the Ranch-style house:...
designed Bell Canyon Equestrian Center, a Class-A equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
facility which offers a wide variety of training in English-hunters, equitation, show jumping as well as western riding. Built in the early sixties, this facility has recently been restored and returned to its intended state-of-the-art condition via a $537,000.00 renovation project that took nearly 2 years to complete. It is one of the few remaining full-service equestrian centers in the area. The grounds, which can accommodate up to 120 horses, feature four barns with 80 stalls, 12 x 24 corrals, three sand riding arenas, two enclosed bullpens and hot walker, and tree shaded picnic areas.
Organizations
Organized community events include: the annual "Hot August Night" community fair where children and adults participate in pie-eating contests and chili cook-offs; dog shows; wine tastings; progressive dinners; 'Snow Day;' 'Halloween Hang;' 'Movies in The Park;' and the annual car show. Over ten different social committees support residents Bell Canyon such as: the Adult Activities Committee, Investment Club, Bell Canyon Hikers, The Book Club, Kids Committee, and Community Planning.Education
Bell Canyon is served by the Las Virgenes Unified School DistrictLas Virgenes Unified School District
Las Virgenes Unified School District is a K-12 school district headquartered in Calabasas, California, United States. The district, serving the western section of Los Angeles County, consists of 14 public schools in the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village, and several small...
, with students bussed each day to attend the schools of: Round Meadow Elementary School, Alice C. Stelle Middle School, and Calabasas High School
Calabasas High School
Calabasas High School is a four-year high school in Calabasas, California, United States.Calabasas High School, which serves Calabasas,and portions of West Hills, Los Angeles, California is one of three high schools in the Las Virgenes Unified School District Calabasas High School is a four-year...
.
Notable residents (past + present)
Because of its seclusion and security, including security cameras and constant patrols by guards, the neighborhood is favored by: celebrities and individuals from the motion picture, televisionTelevision
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
and music industries; business executives; and professionals.
- Don HerbertDon HerbertDonald Jeffrey Herbert , better known as Mr. Wizard, was an American television personality...
"Mr. Wizard": scientist (1917–2007) - Jamie FarrJamie FarrJamie Farr is an American television, film, and theater actor. He is best known for having played the role of cross-dressing Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger in the television sitcom M*A*S*H.-Early life:...
, actor (1934- ) - Roger ArneberghRoger ArneberghRoger Arnebergh was an American politician. He served as Los Angeles City Attorney from 1953 to 1973.-Early life:...
, Los Angeles City Attorney (1910–2004) - Frank Kramer, radio personality (1970- )
- Ernest Brunner, co-founder, K-Swiss, Inc. (1922–2004)
- Alyssa MilanoAlyssa MilanoAlyssa Jayne Milano is an American actress and former singer, known for her childhood role as Samantha Micelli in the sitcom Who's the Boss? and an eight-year stint as Phoebe Halliwell on the series Charmed. She was also a series regular on the original Melrose Place portraying the role of...
, actress (1972- ) - Holly Marie CombsHolly Marie CombsHolly Marie Combs is an American film and television actress and producer whose roles have included a portrayal in Charmed as Piper Halliwell and another in Picket Fences, where she received a Young Artist Award for her role, as Kimberly Brock...
, actress (1973- ) - Kevin EubanksKevin EubanksKevin Tyrone Eubanks is an American jazz guitarist and composer who was the leader of the Tonight Show Band with host Jay Leno from 1995 to 2010. He also led The Primetime Band on the short-lived The Jay Leno Show.- Personal background :Eubanks was born into a musical family...
, jazzJazzJazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician (1957- ) - Joe RoganJoe RoganJoseph James "Joe" Rogan is an American comedian, video blogger, actor, writer, podcaster, and martial artist. He is best known for his work on NewsRadio, his work as color commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and his hosting work on Fear Factor.-Acting:In 1994, Rogan co-starred on...
, comedianComedianA comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
(1967- ) - Shelley BermanShelley BermanSheldon "Shelley" Berman is an American comedian, actor, writer, teacher, lecturer, and poet.- Early life :Berman was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Irene and Nathan Berman.- Career :...
, comedian (1926- ) - Larry WilcoxLarry WilcoxLarry Wilcox is an American actor, best known for his role as Officer Jonathan "Jon" Baker in CHiPs, an American television series.-Military service:...
, actor (1947- ) - John AnistonJohn AnistonJohn Anthony Aniston is a Greek-American actor and the father of actress Jennifer Aniston. He is best known for his role as Victor Kiriakis on the NBC daytime drama Days of our Lives, which he originated in July 1985 and has played continually since then.-Early life:Aniston was born Yannis...
, actor (1933- ) - John McVieJohn McVieJohn Graham McVie is a British bass guitarist best known as a member of the rock group Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of Mick Fleetwood, was the inspiration for the band's name...
, musician (1945- ) - Katie CassidyKatie CassidyKatherine Evelyn Anita "Katie" Cassidy is an American actress who has performed in The CW TV series Melrose Place, Supernatural, Harper's Island, and Gossip Girl, and on the films When a Stranger Calls, Black Christmas, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Taken, Monte Carlo, and has roles in the upcoming...
, musician/actress (1986- ) - Alex KatunichAlex KatunichGeorge Alex Katunich is the former bassist of Incubus.Since high school, Alex went by the stage name of Dirk Lance which was apparently taken from the credits of an anonymous '70s porn flick...
, musician (1976- ) - Scott ReevesScott ReevesGregory Scott Reeves is an American actor and country music singer. He is known for his role as Ryan McNeil on The Young and the Restless and for his role as Dr...
, actor/musician (1966- ) - Scott CarpenterScott CarpenterMalcolm Scott Carpenter is an American engineer, former test pilot, astronaut, and aquanaut. He is best known as one of the original seven astronauts selected for NASA's Project Mercury in April 1959....
, astronautAstronautAn astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
(1925- ) - Cory EversonCory EversonCorinna Kneuer , best known by her stage name Cory Everson, is an American female bodybuilding champion and actress. She won the Ms. Olympia contest six years in a row from 1984 to 1989.-Education:...
, bodybuilderBodybuildingBodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
/actress (1959- ) - Roxann DawsonRoxann DawsonRoxann Dawson is an American actress, producer and director, best known as B'Elanna Torres on the television series Star Trek: Voyager.-Acting:...
, actress (1958- ) - Erin MurphyErin MurphyErin Margaret Murphy is an American actress who is best known for her role as young Tabitha Stephens on the top-ten television sitcom Bewitched, which ran from 1964 to 1972. For the first season, she shared this role with her sister, Diane, as they were of similar appearance and stature...
, actress (1964- ) - Micky DolenzMicky DolenzGeorge Michael "Micky" Dolenz, Jr. is an American actor, musician, television director, radio personality and theater director, best known as a member of the 1960s made-for-television band The Monkees.-Biography:...
, musician (1945- )
- José CansecoJosé CansecoJosé Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco...
, baseball player (1964- ) - Floyd Gaugh, musician (1967- )
- Elliot EastonElliot EastonElliot Easton plays lead guitar and sings backing vocals for The Cars. His guitar solos are integral part of the band's hit singles. He studied music at the Berklee College of Music...
, musician (1953- ) - Bruce Hall (musician)Bruce Hall (musician)Bruce Hall is the current bass guitarist for the rock and roll band REO Speedwagon. He joined the band in 1977, making an appearance on the album, You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish released the following year...
, (1953- ) - Mike GarsonMike GarsonMike Garson is an American pianist, most notable for his work with David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Billy Corgan, Free Flight, and The Smashing Pumpkins.- Early career :...
, pianist (1945- ) - Kenny Wayne ShepherdKenny Wayne ShepherdKenny Wayne Shepherd is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He has released several studio albums and experienced a rare level of commercial success both as a blues artist and a young musician.-Biography:Shepherd graduated Caddo Magnet High School in Shreveport, Louisiana...
, musician (1977- ), wife Hannah Gibson (of Mel GibsonMel GibsonMel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
) - Lyndsy FonsecaLyndsy FonsecaLyndsy Marie Fonseca is an American actress known for playing Colleen Carlton on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and The Restless, Dylan Mayfair on the ABC series Desperate Housewives, and Ted Mosby's daughter on How I Met Your Mother. She also played Katie Deauxma in the 2010 superhero film...
, actress (1987- ) - Bruce CampbellBruce CampbellBruce Lorne Campbell is an American film and television actor. As a cult movie actor, Campbell starred as Ashley J. "Ash" Williams in Sam Raimi's Evil Dead series of films and he has starred in many low-budget cult films such as Crimewave, Maniac Cop, Bubba Ho-tep, Escape From L.A. and Sundown:...
, actor (1958- ) - Snuff GarrettSnuff GarrettSnuff Garrett is a retired American record producer whose most famous work was during the 1960s and 1970s. His nickname is a play on Garrett's Snuff, a brand of snuff....
, record producer (1939- ) - Jason AdelmanJason AdelmanJason Adelman is an American actor. At the age of ten, a talent scout chose him to do a commercial for McDonald's...
, actor (1977- ) - Butch HartmanButch HartmanElmer Earl "Butch" Hartman IV is an American animator, executive producer, animation director, storyboard artist, voice actor, occasional singer, producer, and creator of the animated series The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom and T.U.F.F. Puppy.-Childhood:Hartman was born in Highland Park,...
, animator (1965- ) - Jonathan ButlerJonathan ButlerJonathan Butler is a singer-songwriter and guitarist. His music is often classified as R&B, jazz fusion or worship music.-Biography:...
, jazzJazzJazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician (1961- ) - Guy BeeGuy BeeGuy Norman Bee is an American film producer, television director, steadicam operator and television producer.- Television director :* ER* Third Watch* Harper's Island* Criminal Minds* Veronica Mars* Tru Calling* Las Vegas...
, television directorTelevision directorA television director directs the activities involved in making a television program and is part of a television crew.-Duties:The duties of a television director vary depending on whether the production is live or recorded to video tape or video server .In both types of productions, the...
, television producerTelevision producerThe primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
, steadicam operator (1961- ) - Melissa ReevesMelissa ReevesMelissa Reeves is a long-time American actress. She is perhaps best known for playing Jennifer Horton, a role she originated in 1985 on the long-running NBC series Days of our Lives -Personal life:She was born in Eatontown, New Jersey.Since March 1990, Reeves has been married to soap opera actor...
, actress (1967- ) - Bobbie EakesBobbie EakesBobbie Eakes is an American actress and singer. She is known for her role as Macy Alexander Forrester Chambers Sharpe on The Bold and the Beautiful and for her role as Krystal Carey Chandler Martin Hayward on All My Children .- Personal life :She is the youngest...
, actress (1961- ) - Sam McMurraySam McMurraySam McMurray is an American television, film and voice actor.-Early life:McMurray was born in New York City, the son of Jane and Richard McMurray, both actors...
, actor (1952- ) - Neil Leeds, founder, Leeds Mattress, Inc. (1970- )
- Vince NeilVince NeilVincent Neil Wharton is an American vocalist and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.-Early life:Neil was born in Hollywood, California to Odie and Shirley Wharton...
, musician (1961- ) - Marc SummersMarc SummersMarc Summers is an American television personality, comedian, game show host, producer, and a two-time talk show host. He is best known for hosting the Nickelodeon game show Double Dare and currently hosts Unwrapped on The Food Network.- Early career :Summers was born Marc Berkowitz in...
, game show host (1951- ) - Matt Earl BeesleyMatt Earl BeesleyMatthew Earl "Matt" Beesley is an American television director. He has directed episodes of television series such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Prison Break, Lost, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Criminal Minds, The Closer and CSI: Miami. He directed the 1998 Mickey Rourke film Point...
, television director (1953- )
See also
- History of the San Fernando Valley to 1915History of the San Fernando Valley to 1915The history of the San Fernando Valley from its exploration by the 1769 Portola expedition to the annexation of much of it by the City of Los Angeles in 1915 is a story of booms and busts, as cattle ranching, sheep ranching, large-scale wheat farming, and fruit orchards flourished and faded...
- Ranchos of CaliforniaRanchos of CaliforniaThe Spanish, and later the Méxican government encouraged settlement of territory now known as California by the establishment of large land grants called ranchos, from which the English ranch is derived. Devoted to raising cattle and sheep, the owners of the ranchos attempted to pattern themselves...
- Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space PreserveUpper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space PreserveThe Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve is a large open space nature preserve owned and operated by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy spanning nearly in the Simi Hills of western Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County....
- Bell CreekBell Creek (Southern California)Bell Creek is a tributary of the Los Angeles River, in the Simi Hills of Ventura County and the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County and City, in Southern California.-Route:...
External links
- official Bell Canyon Association website
- Google maps: Bell Canyon-Simi Hills area.
- Bell Canyon Trails Map: equestrian + hiking.
- Bell Canyon Equestrian Center
- State DTSC-SSFL info site
- Rocketdyne Information Society SSFL public Forum.
- Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve official Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Park website.
- Ventura County Trails: around Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Local trails website.
- Save Open Space Local open space preservation support group.
- CSUN Oviatt Library Digital Collections Rancho El Escorpión vintage photographs website.
- Bell Canyon photo gallery: nature and development photographs.
- L.A.Times -'Bell Canyon'
- Ventura County Chamber of Commerce