The Leonis Adobe Museum restores and preserves the two-fisted history of the Wild West in the stately 1844 residence of Miguel Leonis, the notorious Basque robber-baron who settled the area. The property was literally saved from the wrecking-ball in 1962, when the adobe structure was declared Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #1. Kids may not care about the history, but will delight in reports that the Monterey Colonial-style mansion is haunted: some visitors tell of seeing shadowy figures in hallways, and hearing voices and digging sounds coming from the adobe, where Leonis hid his fortune in gold.

Although it’s still very much horse country – four- and five-star stables, riding schools, and equine healing centers abound– today’s Calabasas residents, including the Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith family, among other entertainment notables- are considerably better-mannered. A highlight for horse-lovers: Calabasas Saddlery, Southern California’s family-owned and operated go-to for all high-end equestrian apparel, boots and half chaps, tack and accessories, as well as horse-care musts and stable supplies.

The area’s unspoiled, summer-camp aura is maintained by many community standards, including the presence of more than 20 privately gated communities, with the Oaks and uber-luxe Estates at the Oaks crowning the list. More than 10 of these exclusive enclaves maintain 24-hour gate guards. Public and private schools in three different school districts are rated as some of the best in the state. Las Virgenes in particular is considered a “Destination School District”, and the award-winning Blue Ribbon School District, Las Virgenes Unified School District, services the guard-gated community of Calabasas Hills. Private firefighters keep the community safe year-round.

In terms of lifestyle, Lake Calabasas (you’ll need a badge for access) offers idyllic biking, equestrian, walking and hiking trails not far from the mythic blue views of PCH and Malibu. Southern California’s most legendary beaches are a scenic, 20-minute drive over one of the area’s several canyon roads: Las Virgenes, Malibu Canyon, and Kanan Canyon.