Topanga, California

Topanga (Tongva: Topaa'nga) is an unincorporated community in western Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, the community exists in Topanga Canyon and the surrounding hills. The narrow southern portion of Topanga at the coast is between the city of Malibu and the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Topanga as a census-designated place (CDP). As of the 2020 census the population of the Topanga CDP was 8,560. The ZIP code is 90290 and the area code is primarily 310, with 818 only at the north end of the canyon. It is in the 3rd County Supervisorial district.

Topanga is the largest unincorporated area in Los Angeles County by area, although a majority of it is undeveloped. The 2025 Palisades Fire severely impacted the community with the devastation of structures destroyed, forcing evacuations, and multiple road closures.

Topanga is the name given to the area by the Native American indigenous Tongva tribe, and may mean "where the mountain meets the sea" or "a place above". The name in the Tongva language, Topaa'nga, has a root topaa'- that likely comes from the Chumash language. It was the western border of their territory, abutting the Chumash tribe that occupied the coast from Malibu northward. Bedrock mortars are carved into rock outcroppings in many locations.

Topanga was colonized by Mexicans in 1839. In the 1920s, Topanga Canyon became a weekend getaway for Hollywood stars, with several cottages built for that purpose. The rolling hills and ample vegetation served to provide both privacy and attractive surroundings for the rich and famous. During the 1960s, Topanga Canyon became a magnet to many new artists.

In 1965, Wallace Berman settled in the area. For a time, Neil Young lived in Topanga, first living with producer David Briggs, then buying his own house. He recorded most of After the Gold Rush in his basement studio in 1970. Charles Manson lived for a time in Topanga, where he briefly befriended Young and Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys. Members of the Manson Family began their campaign of murder on July 31, 1969, with the murder of Topanga resident Gary Hinman, a music teacher who had opened his home to anyone needing shelter.

On January 10, 2005, after heavy rains, a 25-foot, 300-ton boulder rolled down a hillside and landed on Topanga Canyon Blvd. Photos of the boulder made the news internationally. The boulder blocked traffic for most of a week, cutting off thru traffic between the San Fernando Valley and the Pacific Coast Highway. Six-foot holes were drilled into the boulder, then low-yield explosives were used to partially blow it up. A previous attempt with dynamite failed due to heavy saturation by rain.

The January 2025 Southern California wildfires, particularly the Palisades Fire, ravaged through the Topanga State Canyon and parts of the community during extremely high drought conditions and very severe Santa Ana Winds. The Palisades Fire devastated the lower portion of the community, with most homes near the Topanga State Beach destroyed, along with Topanga Ranch Motel and Topanga State Park. The entirety of Topanga was put under an evacuation order.

Topanga Creek drains Topanga Canyon and is the third-largest watershed entering the Santa Monica Bay. The creek is one of the area's few remaining undammed waterways, and is a spawning ground for steelhead trout. The area averages about 22 inches (560 mm) of rain annually. Topanga Beach lies on the coast at the outlet of Topanga Creek. Topanga Canyon Boulevard, State Route 27, is the principal thoroughfare, connecting the Ventura Freeway (US 101) to the north with Pacific Coast Highway (SR 1) on the south. The southern portion of the boulevard largely follows Topanga Creek. North of the Old Topanga Canyon Road intersection, the boulevard traverses the Santa Monica Mountains.