Topanga was severely impacted by the January 2025 wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
This content was created before those fires occurred. We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected, and we will chronicle this community's rebuilding efforts in the future.
Meet Topanga
Tucked between Malibu and the Pacific Palisades is the highly desired unincorporated community of Topanga, located in Los Angeles County. With the Santa Monica Mountains on the north end and the Pacific Ocean to the south, Topanga has scenic views at every turn. The views, as well as the relative quiet compared to nearby Los Angeles, made Topanga a haven for celebrities since the early days of Hollywood. Actors like Robin Williams and Molly Ringwald, as well as musicians like Neil Young, Jim Morrison and Stephen Stills, have called the area home. Topanga has stayed true to the artistic nature of its residents and has an active Bohemian culture. The community is conscious of environmental issues and has festivals such as Topanga Earth Day to bring awareness to conservation efforts. Residents support local shops, and big box stores are few and far between in the community. Topanga locals are highly educated, as 96% have a high school diploma, and 63% have a college degree, compared to California averages of 84% and 36%, respectively.
Houses with views
Living in the highly desired area of Topanga comes with a higher price tag than the majority of Southern California. The median price for a single-family home in the city is over $2.1 million as of February 2024. This is compared to the California median of just over $800,000. While homes in Topanga are more expensive than the state and national median, prices have stayed consistent over the past three years and dipped by over $500,000 compared to the median in February 2023. By contrast, the median price in California as a whole has risen 21% over the past three years. Some of the priciest homes are located south near the Pacific Coast Highway, right by the ocean. Other properties sit clustered on the Santa Monica Mountains with excellent views. Compared to most of California, the homes are larger and on more spacious lots.
Topanga Village shopping
Topanga stays true to its Bohemian roots, and residents won’t find big box stores or chain restaurants on every corner. The main shopping district is the Topanga Village, an outdoor mall with boutique and high-end shopping. This outdoor mall has dining options and events throughout the year to bring the community together. Nearby, the Westfield Topanga Mall has over 100 shops, most of them upscale fashion and jewelry outlets. Events at Westfield include a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration and photos with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. The mall has over 50 different dining options, but some of the best eating is found at Topanga Social. The new food hall has 27 of Los Angeles’ best spots to eat under one roof, with options from poke to pasta. Throughout the area, there are plenty of other boutique and antique shops, like the famous Hidden Treasures vintage store.
Top-ranking high schools
Kids in Topanga attend the L.A. Unified School District, which has a B-plus overall ranking on Niche and has A grades for quality of teachers, college prep and academics. The district is the largest in California and is comprised of 1,300 schools serving over 565,000 students. The majority of youngsters begin their education at Topanga Elementary, which has an A-minus overall rating on Niche. Taft High School is located on the north end of the city and is one of the strongest public high schools in California, named a California Standout High School by Niche. Taft earned an A overall rating and is noted for its diverse student population. Other teens attend Palisades Charter High School, which has an A-plus overall rating and A ratings for teacher quality, academics and diversity.
Topanga State Park and more
Not many communities have access to beautiful beaches or breathtaking mountain views, but Topanga has both. Topanga State Park has over 36 miles of trails, perfect for hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding. Red Rock Canyon Park has even more hiking, and those who reach the peaks of Tuna Canyon Park have views of Santa Monica Pier and more. To the south, Topanga Beach has 21.5 acres of sand perfect for sunbathing and surfing, while swimming is not recommended due to reefs in the shallow waters. Being just 11 miles from Malibu, there are plenty of spots for locals who want to dip into the Pacific to take a swim. Those looking to take in a live performance can head to Will Greer’s Theatricum Botanicum, an outdoor amphitheater with Shakespeare stage plays and other productions, while others can take in a movie at the Topanga Film Festival.
Low crime CAP scores
Being an unincorporated community inside Los Angeles County, Topanga is served by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office. The FBI reports that over the past decade, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office has seen a 17% increase in violent crime, while California as a whole has seen a 19% increase over the same period. Over the past five years, L.A. County has seen a 2% decrease in property-related crime. Despite the violent crime reports in the county, Topanga has a CAP score of 2 and earns the safest possible grade in violent crimes like homicide and assault.
Getting around Topanga
Locals can hop on the Topanga Beach Bus, which serves much of Los Angeles County from San Fernando Valley to Santa Monica to quickly get around. Major highways make it a convenient trip to surrounding areas. The center of Topanga is located just 11 miles from the beaches of Malibu, just a 25-minute drive on Interstate 1. Downtown Los Angeles is only 27 miles away, but traffic on Interstate 10 can make it over an hour one-way trip. Those who want to take to the air can travel the 29 miles to LAX for flights all over the United States and abroad.
One Topanga
While Topanga is not its own city, the community has institutions like the One Topanga organization that works to create a better quality of life for all residents. One Topanga has daily events ranging from safety courses for seniors to community meetings to farmer’s markets. Major improvements are being made to some of the roads near Topanga, including Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Malibu Canyon Road. The community also has a Topanga Emergency Management Task Force, which is a partnership of public agencies and community organizations that work to ensure the preparedness, prevention and recovery in case of emergencies in the area.
Creating value in real estate through service & integrity. This is my mission statement. First and foremost, my goal is to empower and enhance other people’s lives. I do that by providing the simplest of things: service. Service in my mind means caring. It means putting all my energy, effort, and dedication into protecting and fulfilling my client's best interests. Building lasting relationships come from trust, loyalty, and treating people like members of your own family. My career in real estate is a full-time, lifelong, endeavor that I hope will bring me the opportunity to help as many people as possible.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
