About Topanga
In the sunny city of Los Angeles, California, you can find the unique suburb of Topanga. It’s a small area nestled in Topanga Valley and just half a mile outside of LA. It’s known for its rural and scenic atmosphere that makes locals and visitors alike forget how close they are to the city. Topanga is full of unique restaurants, cafés, and parks that draw in visitors from all over. The nearby hills, valleys, and fields offer plenty of opportunities to escape from the busy atmosphere of city life.
The population in Topanga is just over 8,000 residents, as of 2010. This suburb sits in the western region of Los Angeles in the Santa Monica Mountains. Some of the land found in Topanga Canyon is part of Topanga State Park. The park is the largest state park found in the Santa Monica Mountains. Topanga first started to gain popularity in the 1920s when celebrities began to use it as a weekend getaway from Hollywood.
Video Shoot Options in Topanga
Your Topanga video shoot location will be able to take advantage of everything that Los Angeles has to offer. The suburb of Topanga itself also has options you can benefit from.
- Catering
Any video shoot location can be enhanced by a few simple catering options. Providing refreshments for your team can keep them motivated and show your appreciation. Topanga has enough tasty options to choose from, and so does the rest of Los Angeles.
- Camera Crew
If you need a camera crew for your Topanga video shoot location, you’ll have a bounty of options to consider. Los Angeles is full of experienced creative professionals who have worked on a range of productions. They’ll be able to work with you to bring whatever vision you have to life.
- Transportation
Getting anywhere in Los Angeles is a hassle, and it can be uncomfortable to rely on public transportation to get you to your Topanga video shoot location. If you go with a private company, you can take advantage of luxury chauffeuring services. They can provide airport pick up or drop off and get you all the way to Topanga.
- Lighting
Proper lighting is vital for any video shoot location, no matter where exactly your filming is done. When shooting in Topanga, you can go with hiring an experienced crew, or choose to rent your own equipment.
Video Shoot Companies in Topanga
When in Topanga, you will be able to hire nearly any company in the Los Angeles area. They can provide whatever you need for your video shoot location, and work with almost any kind of budget.
- So Divine Catering
So Divine Catering offers some of the best food in all of Topanga. They are known for having some of the best quality food, presented in beautiful designs, and have been in the business for over five years. They have experience catering for a range of events no matter whether it is a crowd of 5,000 or an intimate gathering of 50.
- Riz Transportation Services
Riz Transportation Services offers a luxury driving experience to clients all across Southern California. They can pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your Topanga video shoot location. You can choose from a number of different vehicles from black car service to a fun party bus, depending on your needs.
- LA Film Rentals
You can find LA Film Rentals in Woodland Hills, and they provide services to the entirety of Los Angeles County, which includes Topanga. You can go to them for a range of cameras and lenses, and all of the equipment is completely insured. They will even deliver it to you and pick it up afterward.
Pros and Cons of Video Shoots in Topanga
While Topanga might be a scenic getaway from Los Angeles, the suburb isn’t without its downsides. There are pros and cons that will surely affect your video shoot location, and they should all be considered.
Advantages
- Small town feel
One of the biggest pros for Topanga is that it’s surrounded by big cities but still manages to feel like a small town. It only has 8,000 residents so it is not as crowded as the other areas nearby.
- Santa Monica
If you’re in Topanga, California then you can take advantage of everything that Santa Monica has to offer. You can drive into the city for any number of famous attractions, including the Santa Monica Pier.
- Low crime rate
The low crime rate in Topanga is a definite pro to consider. Both the violent crime and property crime rates fall well below that national average.
Disadvantages
- Declining population
The small population in Topanga is a big pro, but the population has been on a steady decline in recent years. Not as many people are moving to the suburb as they used to, and the population hasn’t risen in a while.
- High costs
Despite the small size, Topanga is relatively expensive. It might be cheaper compared to nearby LA and Santa Monica, but restaurants and hotels will still cost quite a bit.
- Lack of activities
There are quite a bit of fun activities to enjoy in Topanga, but it won’t take long to experience all of them. Nearby cities have a lot more to offer if you’re looking for more to do.
Famous Locations in Topanga
- Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum
This famous attraction near the Getty Villa in Topanga was created by actor and botanist Will Greer, who got famous playing the grandfather on The Waltons. The outdoor theater hosts classical productions, mostly focusing on the work of Shakespeare. In fact, he made sure that every plant mentioned in Shakespeare’s works are grown there.
- Hidden Treasures
Topanga is full of vintage stores, and Hidden Treasures is one of the most well-known. Started by Darrell Hazen in the 1970s to sell vintage clothing, he has expanded since then. It is still full of vintage clothing and other antiques, all priced reasonably. But there is so much more. The famous Pirate Trunk by the front door offers an array of clearance options each day.
- Topanga State Park
A trip to Topanga, California would not be complete without stopping by Topanga State Park. The hiking trails offer beautiful views of the mountains, and you can expect to see a few wild animals running around. At more than 11,000 acres, the park boasts approximately 36 miles of trails to enjoy as well as a nature center.