The California Town Known for Its Cluster of State Parks and Celebrities

Tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains is the tiny community of Topanga, with just 8,560 residents. It’s huddled in Topanga Canyon, which stretches all the way to Topanga Beach at the coast, between Pacific Palisades and Malibu. The name Topanga comes from the indigenous Tongva tribe that inhabited the area, who likely borrowed its root, topaa, meaning “a place above” from the neighboring Chumash tribe. The area was later colonized by Mexico, but by the 1920s, it became a retreat for Hollywood celebrities, who built cabins there as a weekend escape from the city. Popular musicians, actors and writers flocked to the area in the 1960s, where they found inspiration, as well as privacy, in the solitude of the rolling hills and evergreen foliage. Pre-Helter Skelter Charles Manson lived there before moving to Malibu, and mobster Henry Hill, whose life was chronicled in the 1990 Martin Scorsese film Goodfellas, made it his home after leaving witness protection.

Present-day Topanga is known for its vibrant creative community, a stellar collection of state parks, cute coffee shops, and eclectic restaurants. From a quaint café with dazzling canyon views to a world-renowned, open-air theater, here are the best ways to pass some time in Topanga now.

1 hour from Los Angeles
3 hours from San Diego
5 hours from Las Vegas, NV

Topanga State Park is the largest state park within the Santa Monica Mountains, spanning 11,000 acres—it’s also one of the world’s largest parks entirely within city limits. Visitors can access the grounds via more than sixty entrances to thirty-six miles of trails and, once there, enjoy sweeping panoramas while exploring the region’s range of plants, habitats, and wildlife, including several resident bird species. The Eagle Springs Trail Loop is a 6.5-mile moderate hike that starts in a large meadow before heading uphill on a fire road that ends at Eagle Rock, where you’ll have views of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica mountains, and San Gabriel Valley. The Musch Trail is a 4.1-mile trail that takes you on a well-marked route that still feels remote, with a steady climb, diverse terrain, and beautiful vistas. For a moderate, 2.2-mile trail that still packs a punch, the Santa Ynez Canyon Waterfall Trail meanders along the river most of the way to the destination waterfall. It’s not well-marked and can be overgrown, with a bit of bouldering near the falls itself. Experienced hikers recommend downloading an offline map before heading out. Poison oak can be abundant, especially after rains, so long pants and long-sleeved shirts are a good idea.

Fall in love with Shakespeare at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. This beloved open-air theater has hosted productions for decades and is recognized worldwide for its Shakespeare interpretations. In addition to its annual summer season, which includes works like Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the venue hosts concerts, rehearsals, and classes throughout the year for budding actors and playwrights of all ages. The Canyon Bakery is also situated on the grounds and specializes in naturally leavened breads, pastries, cakes, and cookies using locally sourced, whole-grain flours. Join them for Sunday Funday, a takeout window only on Sundays, from 9:30 am until the bakery sells out. You can also catch a show at Corazon Performing Arts, where artists, poets, musicians, dancers, and performers bring music, oral storytelling, cultural dance performances, and poetry readings alive. In addition to performances, the center holds yoga, poetry writing, art, and dance classes.

Memorial Day weekend brings Topanga Days, a music festival and country fair with three full days of music on two stages, food trucks, vendors, and a parade. Reggae on the Mountain, LA’s premier reggae and world music event, returns for its 12th year in August with Steel Pulse, Don Carlos, Marlon Asher, Empress Akua, Quinto Sol, and more. The Topanga Film Festival, presented by The Topanga Film Institute, takes place in mid-October.

Get your camera ready for a coffee date at Cafe on 27, an AM eatery and café where ample outdoor seating offers some of the Canyon’s best views. A full breakfast and lunch menu is available, complete with hearty orders like eggs Benedicts, soups, and club sandwiches, or opt for lighter morning fare and spring for a pastry and any of the specialty drinks, such as the Turmeric Latte or Moroccan Mocha. Grab lunch at Topanga Living Café, a community gathering spot with nourishing, hyper-fresh fare—all California-inspired with global influences. Snag a slice at Endless Color, a family-run pizza joint specializing in from-scratch pies with clever topping combinations; think mozzarella buffala, Beemster goat cheese, baby squash, sungold tomatoes, and garlic confit on Squash Blossom, or spinach, leeks, and goat cheese in the Super Green. Book dinner at Inn of the Seventh Ray, a romantic alfresco dining space with tables tucked into cozy nooks and gazebos, all beneath canopies and fairy lights.

Try tacos to-go at La Chingona Tacos food truck, where the team puts forth fresh, organic, gluten- and dairy-free tacos, ranging from grass-fed beef (carne asada), shrimp (wild-caught), and soy chorizo. Almost everything can be fashioned into plates beyond tacos, too, like tostadas, salads, and bowls. It’s only open on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, so plan accordingly. On your way out of town, be sure to stock up on specialty, local snacks at Canyon Gourmet and satiate your sweet tooth while you’re at it. The organic soft-serve there is a must. Pro tip: Top it with any of the artisanal syrups for a winning combo, namely, the vanilla with cardamom.

In addition to plenty of excellent Airbnbs available to rent in the Canyon, there’s Topanga Canyon Inn, a charming bed and breakfast comprising two Mediterranean-style buildings—Casa Blanca and Casa Rosa—both built by the owners. Guests can enjoy bespoke design details in each room and gorgeous mountain views from a private balcony. Come morning, join other travelers for breakfast, served daily at Casa Rosa.

Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.