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Map Satellite Included in this area are approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) of lower Topanga Canyon, beginning 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) from the ocean, and the upper reaches of the canyon immediately to the east, Santa Ynez. Much of the area is covered by coastal sage scrub or chaparral. There is some southern oak woodland, a mixed evergreen forest and, on the canyon floors, a riparian association. Topanga supports an unspoiled riparian woodland with big-leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum, white alder, Alnus rhombifolia, sycamore, Platanus racemosa, black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa, bay, Umbellularia californica, and live oak, Quercus agrifolia. In Santa Ynez Canyon the California black walnut, Juglans californica, occurs in the oak woodland, with live oak. Boykinia occidentalis, which is found here, is at its southernmost range limits. Animals are typical of the region. Geologically, several epochs and eras are represented: Cretaceous and Paleocene marine sedimentaries, Oligocene and mid-Miocene nonmarine sedimentaries, and some Miocene intrusives. There are several streams, one perennial. Integrity: A road parallels the creek in Topanga Canyon and there are several houses; however, most of the area is relatively undisturbed. Use: Research, educational, observational, present; some private. December 1979
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2008 Steven Louis Hartman
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