LOCATION
A place of natural beauty, the small community of Topanga is west of greater Los Angeles in the canyons and cliffs of the Santa Monica Mountains. Highway 101 is eight miles from the center of town, and the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) is five miles to the south. Topanga is thirteen miles northwest of Santa Monica and thirty miles west of Hollywood. Topanga, which is part of the county of Los Angeles, covers an eighteen square mile area, a large portion of which is undeveloped and part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Air transportation for Topanga residents is only a short drive away. The Los Angeles International Airport, a major hub of domestic and International air travel, is approximately 20 miles away (a 35-minute drive), and the Burbank Airport is 25 miles away (a 40-minute drive). Travel via automobile is the best way to get around the Topanga area; however, taxis and other public transportation are also available.
BRIEF HISTORY
The early-recorded history of Topanga goes back to 1771 when the Spaniards arrived and established the San Gabriel Mission. The Spanish settlers called the Chumash Native Americans in the area "Gabrielinos." It was twelve years later, in 1783, that the city of Los Angeles was established, however it was not until 1885 that the first dwelling was built in the area?a ranch in Topanga Canyon. Over the next fifteen years or so people would come to the Topanga area from Santa Monica and Los Angeles to hunt. At the turn of the century, more settlers came to the area?building small resorts and providing a beautiful get-away spot for those coming from the nearby cities. Throughout the 1900s, Topanga became known to those in the entertainment industry?artists, actors, and musicians started moving to the area. "Walton's" star Will Gear started the Theatricum Botanicum, which has featured musicians such as Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Burl Ives, Odetta, and Ramblin' Jack Elliot throughout the years. Other famous Topanga Canyon residents included Woody Guthrie and Joni Mitchell (who was known as "lady of the canyon"). The name "Topanga" means "above" and according to the Topanga Historical Society is "a reference to the village site being above the water of Topanga Creek. . . . The name is an old Shoshonean word and can also be used in reference to the sky or heaven."
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT AREA?
The Topanga area is characterized by the vast pristine, natural habitat of the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area. Topanga State Park, located within the Los Angeles city limits, is the world's largest wild land area within a major city. The park is a great place to hike, with over 36 miles of hiking trails that take you through wooded and grassland areas, and offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. There are also great opportunities in the area for horseback riding and mountain biking. Along Topanga Canyon Boulevard you can find a lively business community, with eclectic stores and delicious restaurants. Located only eight miles from Los Angeles, and five miles from the ocean, Topanga residents enjoy natural beauty and recreational opportunities as well as the ample business and cultural activities of the greater Los Angeles Area.
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