Chatsworth indeed has a secret. It’s a great one. That secret is Twin Lakes, a rural community quietly nestled into the Santa Susana Mountains and located off of the intersection of the 118 Freeway and Topanga Canyon Blvd. It is a community of hills, homes, and little pieces of heaven. From the westbound 118 Freeway take the Topanga Canyon exit and turn right to Poema Place. If you next turn left you will be in a more traditional neighborhood that includes Toll Brothers’ Vistas Indians of the Oaks. Turn right and you drive into a entirely different world, one of nature and beauty, of privacy and solitude.
Although I’ve lived in the San Fernando Valley all my life, I did not know that Twin Lakes existed until I listed a marvelous home there. The community is similar to that of the Topanga Canyon village minus the shops and the traffic. Magnificent views of the San Fernando Valley shine throughout the neighborhood. The photographs I’ve included in this blog were taken by me to document views residents of Twin Lakes see everyday.
In the 1920’s Twin Lakes was a resort area, featuring two man-made lakes, designed for the rich and famous. Over the years Twin Lakes has evolved into an eclectic community punctuated by every conceivable type of home, from simple, A-frame homes to multi-story, luxurious residences. There is no such thing as a tract home in Twin Lakes.
The people occupying those homes are equally diverse. Occupations range from artists to business executives. Every age group is represented in the community. Tex Watson of the Manson family is said to have lived there. The Captain and Tenelle also called Twin Lakes home a few years back.
Diverse as they are, the residents are unified in what has attracted them to Twin Lakes. Ask them and they will tell you about the privacy, the joy of living within nature lwhile enjoying the amenities of a nearby city, the panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley, and the ability to live uniquely.
Life in this rustic environment is exemplified by the fact that not all the roads are paved and most are narrow. Residents use septic tanks. The fire of 2008 destroyed five homes. Fire Department access is a challenge. Yet the residents who live chose to not live anywhere else.
Since I am real estate agent I have the inherent compulsion to comment on Twin Lakes’ real estate activity. As I am writing this blog there are no homes for sale in the community. Three homes have been sold and are currently in escrow, and three other homes were sold and closed escrow within the past year. The sale prices for the three homes now in escrow range from $260,000 to $490,000. The three homes that closed escrow had sale prices ranging from $35,000 (Nope this is not a misprint. The house has one bedroom and 720 square feet) to $523,000.
Even if you don’t think you want to live the lifestyle Twin Lakes offers, take a drive through the neighborhood. Talk to residents. Get out of your car and look, I mean really look, at those panoramic views. Walk around and hear the silence. What you will be experiencing is the San Fernando Valley’s best kept secret.
We actually have a number of communities nestled or secreted in our Chatsworth Hills, including Box Canyon, which was also a fishing and hunting resort in the 1930's. I know most of the homes in these areas are on septic and use propane, so be careful on your disclosures as lenders will want septic tank certifications before lending, esepcially now with all the 'green fees' for septic inspections. Captain and Tenille used to live at Eagle's Nest which overlooks the north end of the Chatsworth Reservoir.
Thanks for the info. Stay in touch!! Paul