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Topanga State Park - Site # 205 |
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Background: | This pristine park in the Santa Monica Mountains is the largest U.S. wildland within a city boundary. Adjacent private and public wildlands provide landscape corridors for park wildlife and increase the size of this urban wilderness to 16,000 acres. More than 30 miles of trails traverse the slopes of oak-studded meadows, chaparral, and majestic canyons. Desert cottontails, California quail, western scrub jays, coyotes, badgers, and bobcats inhabit the open country. Southern mule deer browse among scrub and coastal live oaks that shelter acorn woodpeckers, Hutton's vireos, blue-gray gnatcatchers and western screech owls. A 1.5 mile trail through rugged Santa Ynez Canyon passes a 20-foot waterfall, stream orchids and tiger lilies bloom near California bays, sycamores and willows, habitat favored by raccoons, canyon wrens, Swainson's thrushes and warbling vireos. |
| Historic Trippet Ranch
Self guided nature trail |
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The Habitat: | The parks slopes are covered with dense chaparral (80%) dissected by riparian corridors in deep canyon (15%). Flatter areas support grassland and oak woodlands (5%). |
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The Experience: | The park offers a pristine example of the Mediterranean ecosystem within the second largest urban area in the United States. |
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Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Wildlife can be viewed from picnic areas and trials. The park is traversed by over 40 miles of trials and fire roads, most of which require hill-climbing to access. Gentler trials are located at Trippet Ranch. |
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Viewing Tips: | Songbirds, upland birds, predators, and deer are seen year-round; songbirds are abundant in spring and fall. Equestrian and nature trails. Visitor center. Nature walks. Linked to other parks by Backbone Trail. |
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Site Notes: | Trippet Ranch is the headquarters for Topanga State Park. The grounds offer shaded picnic areas, grassy wildflower strewn meadows, a self guided natural trail and numerous hiking trails. |
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Nearby Viewing Sites: | Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area
Malibu Creek State Park
Ed Edelman Park |
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Visitor Information: | Topanga Chamber of Commerce - (310) 455-0790 - www.topangachamber.org |
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: |
Staff On-site: | Yes |
Open: | Everday |
Hours: | 8AM - Sunset |
Year Round: | Yes |
Seasonal: | Parks closed during fires. |
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Road Information: |
Paved. Gravel. Dirt. |
| Road Hazards: no |
| Number of Parking Spaces: 70 |
| Parking Fee: Yes |
| Proximity to viewing area:close |
| Pull-Through Parking: Yes |
| Parking Notes: Parking fee $5.00 |
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How to Get There: | From Santa Monica, take Highway 1 north to Topanga Canyon Boulevard (Highway 27). Turn north and drive 4 miles. Take the Entrada exit and drive east to entrance. |
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Contact Information |
Managing Agency: | California State Parks |
Agency Site URL: | www.parks.ca.gov |
Physical Address: | 20825 Entrada Rd. Topanga, CA 90290 |
Agency 2: | same as above , CA |
Manager Phone: | (310) 454-8212 x 105 |
Contact Us: | by Email |
Site Phone: | (310) 455-2465 | | |
County: | Los Angeles |
Addition Website: |
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