Topanga, CA

Topanga occupies a canyon-and-hills landscape in the Santa Monica Mountains of western Los Angeles County, with a narrow coastal section at the mouth of Topanga Creek. The unincorporated census-designated place had 8,560 residents in 2020. Topanga Creek drains the third-largest watershed entering Santa Monica Bay; it is one of the range’s few undammed streams and provides spawning habitat for steelhead trout. Much of the canyon includes land in Topanga State Park and under the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The community’s name comes from the Tongva language, though published interpretations differ. Annual cultural events include the Memorial Day weekend Topanga Days fair and parade, the Topanga Film Festival, and Reggae on the Mountain.