Thousand Oaks, California

Thousand Oaks (commonly referred to by locals as "T.O.") is a city located in Ventura County, California, named after the many oak trees that grace the area, and the city seal is adorned by the symbol of an oak. The city is part of a regional area called the Conejo Valley, which includes Thousand Oaks proper, Newbury Park, and part of Westlake Village. In fact, the Los Angeles County/Ventura County line crosses right through the middle of Westlake Village; thus, Westlake Village, 91362 is technically part of the city of Thousand Oaks in Ventura County, whereas Westlake Village, 91361 is its own city, separate and distinct from Thousand Oaks in Los Angeles County. The city is served by both the Ventura Freeway and California State Route 23. California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks.

Politics

Thousand Oaks is one of the few cities of over 100,000 which does not directly elect its mayor; rather the council members take turns rotating into the position. Current members of the city's council include the recently re-elected Ed Masry, attorney and activist. Masry achieved notoriety beyond his own community when Albert Finney portrayed him opposite Julia Roberts in the 2000 Academy Award-winning film, Erin Brockovich.

Related Topics:
Ed Masry - Albert Finney - Julia Roberts - Erin Brockovich

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Today the city boasts a very active, and historically "slow growth"-minded city council. Along with the ordinances protecting the numerous oak trees, the city's leaders and residents alike boast of the ring of protected land, free from development, that surrounds the city's borders and which may account for the accelerating land values in recent years. More than 14,000 square acres have been designated as "Open Space" containing more than 75 miles of trails.

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