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Topanga is like no other place in Southern California. It's history is filled with colorful stories of Native Americans, pioneers and eccentrics. It takes a person of strength and character to live here and deal with our occasional threats of fire, flood and development. But it is a place of beauty and community rarely found today.
Population - Approx. 8,000
Elevation - 85' to 1560'
Area - 18.2 sq. miles or 12,748 acres,11,082 of which are undeveloped or owned by State or Federal park agencies as part of the Santa Monica Mountians National Recreation Area.
Climate - Mediterranean-type climate with warm days and cooler evenings; mild winters with moderate rainfall averaging 22 inches per year. Summers are warm to hot and very dry. Characterized by oak woodland and chaparral vegetation.
Government - Unincorporated area located in the Santa Monica Mountains. Highway 27 runs through Topanga. The center of town is 8 miles from (freeway) Highway 101, 5 miles from the Pacific Coast Highway 1 and under the jurisdiction of the County of Los Angeles.
Business - Topanga has a modest business community, located primarily along Pacific Palisades Boulevard. One can find everything from antiques and vintage clothing, to rocks and crystals, dance and fitness classes, markets, restaurants, a beauty salon, a bookstore and even a french coffee house. Many other professional services are also available or nearby.
Schools - Topanga is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Topanga Elementary School is located in the canyon with Middle School and High Schools in the nearby communities of Malibu, Pacific Palisades and Woodland Hills.
Health Care Facilities - There are a couple of small medical clinics in Topanga, along with numerous Body workers and Chiropractors. Major medical facilities are located in the nearby communities of Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Woodland Hills and Santa Monica.
Circle X Ranch  Photo Credit: Ranger Mike Malone
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