Woodland Hills is a district in the southwestern San Fernando Valley, within the city of Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California. With a population of roughly 60,000, it is one of the Valley's most prominent communities, combining established residential neighborhoods with a major commercial and employment center. The area borders the Santa Monica Mountains to the south and the neighboring community of Topanga, giving it a foothill setting that sets it apart from the flatter central Valley. The district's origins are distinctive. Woodland Hills began as the community of Girard, developed in the early 20th century, and after incorporation into the city of Los Angeles it became known as Woodland Hills in 1945. Its modern identity is closely tied to Warner Center, a master-planned business district named for Harry Warner of Warner Bros., who had owned the land as a horse ranch. Beginning in the late 1960s, Warner Center was developed into one of the Valley's largest employment and commercial centers, and it now anchors Woodland Hills with offices, retail, hotels, and high-rise residences. Residentially, Woodland Hills ranges from tree-lined streets of single-family homes south of Ventura Boulevard to the denser, mixed-use Warner Center district north of the freeway. The area's schools, part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, are generally well regarded, and the neighborhood offers abundant parks, including the 19-acre Woodland Hills Recreation Center (Shoup Park) and Warner Center Park. Woodland Hills appeals to families and young professionals seeking suburban space, strong schools, and Valley convenience with access to the Santa Monica Mountains. Ventura Boulevard and the 101 Freeway provide regional connections, while tradeoffs include warm summers and canyon-influenced commutes to the Westside and coast.