Topanga Canyon Docents
Learn about the plants, animals, history and geology of Topanga State Park
Our mission is to educate the public about Topanga State Park’s ecosystem and to cultivate the desire to respect, protect and preserve the integrity of this unique landscape.
The Docents
The Topanga Canyon Docents are volunteers who provide guided nature walks and other activities for the park visitors. They have studied the fauna, flora, history and geology of Topanga State Park and are eager to share their knowledge with park visitors
Trail Ambassadors
Volunteers patrol Trippet ranch trails to help hikers and bikers and generally, to be of help to the public
Butterfly Day
Native Plant Garden
Help plant and maintain the garden planted by our volunteers in front of the Nature Center
Activities
Sunday Morning Guided Walks
Meet at the kiosk
10:00AM - 12:00PM
January to end of June
Nature Center
Open Sundays, 10:00AM - 3:00PM
January to end of June
School Walks
Throughout the school year
Organized together with participating schools
Topanga State Park
Topanga State Park is is a wonderful destination for those looking to experience the natural beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Measuring 11,525 acres, Topanga State Park is a haven for hikers and nature lovers. It is the largest park in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, and represents 5% of the acreage of the city of Los Angeles. As such, it qualifies as being one of the world’s largest urban parks located within the limits of a large city.
The Park is also one of only five regions in the world boasting a Mediterranean climate, with cool rainy winters and hot, dry summers.
History
Topanga Sate Park contains lands traditional to both the Tongva and Chumash peoples, historically marking an interface between these two groups who lived on the land for thousands of years.
Rancho de las Lomas Celestiales - Ranch of the Heavenly Hills - was first acquired in 1917 as a weekend retreat by Cora Trippet, wife of Judge Oscar Trippet. The 82 acre property was sold to a developer by their son in 1963, but fortunately avoided being subdivided thanks to a state bond approved by voters the very next year. The ranch then changed names and became Trippet Ranch. After the acquisition by the California State of several contiguous properties, the ranch became, in 1974, the center and access point of the newly formed Topanga State Park.
Today, Topanga State Park stretches from Pacific Coast Highway to the hills above the San Fernando Valley, with Malibu and Pacific Palisades loosely completing this frame. This popular recreational destination offers miles of hiking, biking and horse trails, a nature center, and a campground.
