1952 Map of Topanga

About this map

Santa Monica Mountains terrain meets the shoreline of Santa Monica Bay in this mid-century portrait of coastal Los Angeles County. The map shows the dramatic transition from the steep, canyon-riven interior—home to mountain retreats like Trippet Ranch and Sylvia Park—to the burgeoning post-war suburban development along the coast. The purple tinting reveals the rapid expansion of urban areas in Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica, while the canyons such as Topanga Canyon and Temescal Canyon remain largely defined by topographical contours and smaller settlements like Fernwood. Along the Pacific Coast Hwy, the relationship between the mountains and the sea is highlighted by landmarks such as Will Rogers Beach State Park and Las Tunas Beach. Cultural and recreational hubs of the era are well-documented, including the Riviera Country Club and several local institutions like Topanga School and the Corpus Christi Sch.