Topanga (Tongva: Topaa’nga) is an unincorporated community in western Los Angeles County, California, located in the Santa Monica Mountains within Topanga canyon and the surrounding hills. Its southern coastal area lies between Malibu and Pacific Palisades. Topanga is the largest unincorporated area in Los Angeles County by land, though much of it is undeveloped. The ZIP code is 90290, and the area code is mainly 310, with 818 in the northern canyon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,560. In 2025, the Palisades Fire caused major destruction and forced evacuations.
The name Topanga, from the Tongva language Topaa’nga, may mean “where the mountain meets the sea” or “a place above.” It was originally part of Tongva territory bordering the Chumash tribe. The area shows evidence of ancient Native American presence, including carved bedrock mortars. Topanga was colonized by Mexicans in 1839. In the 1920s, it became a weekend retreat for Hollywood stars. During the 1960s, it attracted artists and musicians. Notable residents included Wallace Berman and Neil Young, who recorded parts of After the Gold Rush there. Charles Manson also lived in Topanga for a time, and the Manson Family committed the murder of local resident Gary Hinman in 1969.
