Community Profile

Summary

Topanga is a census-designated place (CDP) in western Los Angeles County, California. 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. As of the 2020 census the population of the Topanga CDP was officially 8,560. The Topanga community is known for its environmental commitment and dedication to many wildlife-supporting causes and initiatives, including an effort to get Caltrans to stop using herbicides along our roadsides. History Topanga is the name given to the area by the Native American indigenous Tongva tribe and means "where the mountain meets the sea" and "a place above." The name in the Tongva language, Topaa'nga, has a root topaa'- that likely comes from the Chumash language. 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. This bohemian tradition continues to this day.