Capturing Your Vision in Conejo Valley

Conejo Valley is a hidden gem for filming locations in Los Angeles and Ventura County. Less than 30 minutes from the beaches of Malibu and 45 minutes from the City of Los Angeles, Conejo Valley provides the perfect backdrop for filming in Southern California.

It’s the kind of place where you can find a little bit of everything to suit your filming needs. From miles of expansive picturesque outdoor landscapes to versatile venues that provide the perfect setting for any movie or show, Conejo has the right site for your production.

Why Film in Conejo Valley | Locations | Permits | Location Liaison | Accommodations | FAQs 

Why Film in Conejo Valley

The Perfect Production Backdrop

From full-scale commercial film shoots with 100+ crews to small photography needs, if you can imagine it, you can do it here in Conejo Valley. Nestled in Southern California, Conejo Valley spans southeastern Ventura County and northwestern Los Angeles County, including the cities Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills as well as the Santa Monica Mountains.

Known for its stunning natural beauty, rolling hills, lush landscapes and serene open spaces, not to mention rich cultural heritage and proximity to major entertainment hubs, the area offers a unique blend of scenic charm and modern convenience ideal for both exterior and interior filming.

Iconic Conejo Valley Locations

Some of the noteworthy filming that has already taken place include the below.

From low-key photo shoots to full-scale productions Conejo Valley delivers the versatility you need. Located within Southern California’s Thirty Mile Zone, our stunning natural landscapes, easy access to both Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and streamlined permitting process make filming here both beautiful and efficient. Experience the perfect blend of accessibility and scenic potential in Southern California’s hidden production gem.

Critically-acclaimed TV shows like:

The Office (at 1 Baxter Way in Thousand Oaks)

Westworld (at Paramount Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains)

True Detective (at Canyon Ranch Studio in Thousand Oaks)

Popular reality TV shows like:

The Biggest Loser (at Calamigos Ranch)

Laugh-out-loud comedies like:

Bridesmaids (at Sherwood Country Club)

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (in Newbury Park)

Silent films like:

The Adventures of Robin Hood (at Sherwood Country Club)

Oscar-winning movies like:

It Happened One Night (on Thousand Oaks Blvd)

Plus countless commercial shoots in Hidden Valley and beyond.

From full-scale commercial film shoots with 100+ crews to small photography needs, if you can imagine it, you can do it here. Check out some of Conejo Valley’s top filming locations below.

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden: A beautiful and serene location with a variety of gardens, including desert, butterfly and edible gardens, offering a picturesque backdrop.

Paramount Ranch: An iconic filming location in the Santa Monica Mountains offering Western townscapes, suburban neighborhoods, meadows, barns, woods and historic structures.

Canyon Ranch Studio: A premier 100 acre studio with sound stages, backlot sets, green screens and interior sets.

The Oaks Mall: A shopping mall with a variety of interior and exterior locations that can be used for retail and commercial scenes.

Stagecoach Inn Museum: A historic museum with a replica of a 19th-century stagecoach inn, ideal for period-piece settings.

King Gillette Ranch: A beautiful park with Spanish colonial-style buildings, manicured lawns and scenic vistas.

Old Agoura: A charming neighborhood with a rural, small-town feel, featuring scenic streets and houses that are perfect for film backdrops.

Civic Center Plaza: A modern civic center with distinctive architecture, often used for commercial and government-related shoots.

Private Estates: Many private estates and mansions are available for filming, providing elegant and luxurious settings.

Historic Agoura Adobe: A well-preserved historic adobe building that can serve as a location for period pieces.

Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD): CVUSD encompasses several film-friendly middle and high school properties to choose from.

California Lutheran University (CLU):  CLU’s beautiful, green 225-acre campus offers the ideal collegiate backdrop, including swimming pools, a tennis court, botanic gardens, the towering Samuelson Chapel and William Rolland Stadium nestled against the chaparral hillsides.

The Lakes at Thousand Oaks: This shopping mall is known for its pristinely manicured lake, garden and sculptures located just steps from the Civic Center Plaza. For inquiries regarding filming, please contact Doris Nesheiwat, Vice President, Specialty Leasing.

The Promenade at Westlake: This outdoor retail center features some of the area’s best dining and shopping options, along with a luxury movie theater. Similar to The Lakes at Thousand Oaks, another property managed by Caruso, please contact Doris Nesheiwat, Vice President, Specialty Leasing.

Streamlined Permitting

We’ve simplified the process to get your cameras rolling quickly. Our dedicated team walks you through each requirement, from applications to insurance, ensuring your production stays on schedule in Conejo Valley.

Filming in the Conejo Valley might require permits from one of the following agencies:

FilmLA for Los Angeles County Productions

Ventura County Film Commission for Ventura County Productions

City of Thousand Oaks

City of Agoura Hills

City of Thousand Oaks 

All filming activity within Thousand Oaks requires a permit regardless if it is private, public, interior or exterior filming/shooting. The City of Thousand Oaks processes film permits for each individual property being used for filming.

Beyond a completed application, applying for a filming permit in Thousand Oaks will require a filing fee, a parking plan, insurance documents such as a Certificate of Liability Insurance form and an Additional Insured Endorsement form, a property owner authorization letter, a notification of location filming approval, and a copy of a current City of Thousand Oaks business license or Business Certification Application with appropriate fees. Note that the duration of filming will determine to what extent neighboring property owner approvals and signatures are needed.

The applicant is also responsible for filling out a Fire Department questionnaire to ensure the production’s fire safety, and determine if a Fire Code Permit or Fire Safety Officer will be necessary on-site. A completed Film Permit Application must be received at least 5 business days prior to any filming that requires police personnel assistance.

City of Agoura Hills 

A filming permit application in Agoura Hills must be filed with the Department of Planning and Community Development at least 2 weeks prior to filming. The applicant must also provide application fees, execute a Hold Harmless Agreement from the City, provide an insurance policy, submit a refundable Faithful Performance Bond and a site plan for off-site vehicle and equipment storage. The applicant should review and sign the Location Filming Checklist and Filming Permit Conditions and Agreement, as well as ensure they’ve obtained the appropriate property owner acknowledgements and approvals.

The applicant is responsible for receiving approval from the Fire Department for filming, prior to seeking approval from the City. A copy of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department Motion Picture/TV Filming Permit must be included in the application.

Your Production Partners

Our team offers personalized support from location selection to local connections. We’ll help navigate every step of your production process to make filming in Conejo Valley seamless and successful.

Rest Easy Between Takes

From crew lodging to VIP suites, our region offers comfortable accommodations for productions of all sizes. Let us help coordinate your stay so you can focus on what matters most—creating your best work in Conejo Valley.