Neighborhood Series: Spending a Saturday in Woodland Hills & Calabasas

Let’s go to the suburbs! When it’s the kind of day to escape the hustle - hit a farmer’s market, have a few good meals, treat yourself to a massage, and maybe pet a horse - it’s the day for this itinerary. 

‍

Getting There

• Metro: From Downtown LA, take the B (red) line to NoHo, transfer to the G (orange) line westbound to Canoga Station. Transfer to the 169 Southbound and take in 19 stops. We’ll be honest - this is one of the more difficult areas to reach on public transportation.
• Driving: Drive to Calabasas and park for free in the dirt lot by the farmer’s market if you’re lucky enough to get a space. If not, park at the Parkway Calabasas Shopping Center.

Morning

• 10:00am: After what was probably a long trip this morning, treat yourself to a sit-down breakfast or pastry at 10 Speed Coffee, a cafe-restaurant-bike shop with shaded patio seating.
• 10:45am: We love a farmer’s market, and Calabasas is no exception. You’ll find it right next door to the right as you exit. Take your time sampling fresh produce and admiring flowers.
• 11:15am: Head right across the street to the Leonis Adobe Museum, a small living history museum depicting ranch life in the late 1800s. Catch the first tour of the day at 11:30am (donation-based) and then explore the grounds - including meeting all the animals!

Afternoon

• 12:30pm: Walk about 8 minutes West and turn left on Park Granada where you’ll find Cafecito, a cozy Cuban lunch spot. You can’t go wrong, but if in doubt order the Cubano.
• 1:15pm: Just across Park Granada you’ll find The Commons, a beautiful outdoor shopping mall. While you’ll find mostly large retailers like Lululemon, you’ll also find Bacio di Latti - stop in for gelato!
• 2:00pm: For metro folks, take the 161 bus 11 stops to Canoga / Ventura, then walk East for 12 minutes. If you drove, take a detour to Top of Topanga Overlook. Park in the lot to admire the sweeping view, then head to Woodland Hills and park free until 11pm on Clarendon St.
• 3:00pm: If it’s time for a(nother) sweet treat, take a little break at & Waffles for a Belgian waffle.
• 3:30pm: Scoot on over one block East to Valley Country Market for a little self-care. Check in for a massage at The NOW ($130 for 50 minutes).
• 4:30pm: Recharge with an afternoon tea from Blue Bottle Coffee or an ice cream at Van Leeuwen in the same shopping center. You’re going to need it to stay awake for your next stop.
• 5:00pm: Join a relaxing 45-minute halotherapy session at Valley Salt Cave ($40) at the top of the hour. Cozy up under a warm blanket in a dim salt cave with the sounds of trickling water for deep relaxation.

Evening

• 6:00pm: Walk 8 minutes West along Ventura to Prose for a literary-themed dinner. It leans a touch upscale, so be prepared for entrees in the $30-$50 range.
• 7:00pm: Head two blocks East to stop in at Pickwick’s Pub for a few rounds of British-style beer and darts.
• 8:30pm: If you’re in the mood to keep the night going, head across the street to HQ Gastropub, where you might find a DJ warming up the crowd for the evening. Whenever you’re ready to call it a night, head on home! 

Tips

• Total walk time: 55 minutes + meandering
• Total drive/metro time after arrival: 30-50m
• We suggest this itinerary on a Saturday since that’s the only day the farmer’s market is open. The rest of the itinerary can be done on Sunday with some adjustments to timing.
• Always ‘tis the season in this area! In Spring, hike the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space trail to be immersed in wildflowers and vibrant green hills. In Summer, see the SunSets summer concert series at Calabasas Lake. In Autumn, catch the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival (October 19th this year). In Winter, Stroll through Candy Cane Lane to see houses with over-the-top holiday decorations.
• If you have kids in your life, Woodland Hills has a ton of fun activities for youngsters. Its proximity to the Santa Monica Mountains and Topanga State Park also makes it ideal for a day of hiking.

‍