The area referred to as Conejo Valley includes the present communities of Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Hidden Valley and Lake Sherwood. For thousands of years, before being discovered by Europeans, native Chumash Indians occupied the region, harvesting grains and acorns, and hunting rabbits, deer and other game. The area's recorded history dates back to 1542, when explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovered Alta, California, and made a series of anchorage from San Diego to Point Conception. He placed his country's flag at Point Mugu and claimed the land for the King of Spain. Thereafter, the region remained undisturbed for two and a half centuries. In the early 1800's, a Spanish governor granted over 48,000 acres of land to two loyal soldiers. One of the grants included the area that became known as the Conejo Valley, (Spanish for valley of the rabbits).

From its earliest roots, Thousand Oaks has been dedicated to preserving and maintaining its scenic and natural resources. The city is committed to offering the finest quality community services to its residents and businesses. Since its incorporation, Thousand Oaks has earned recognition as one of the safest cities of its size in the nation and one of the top ten communities for statewide academic achievement. Also, the city has received awards for its more than 2,500 organized recreation leisure programs conducted each year within 33 developed parks, five play fields and one district park, in addition to the 1,300-acre Wildwood Park, 12,000 acres of open space and 75 miles of trails.