LA County Awards $500,000 to Restore Topanga Lagoon

Funding will support habitat improvements, public access, and climate resilience at popular beach destination.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:09am

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus photograph depicting people enjoying a sunny day at the beach, with the ocean and a lagoon visible in the hazy, dreamlike background.The Topanga Lagoon restoration project aims to enhance public access and ecological resilience at one of LA County's most beloved coastal destinations.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles County has awarded $500,000 in Measure A funding to the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains to support the restoration of Topanga Beach and Lagoon. The project aims to mitigate coastal erosion, improve public access and infrastructure, and expand the usable beach area by one acre.

Why it matters

Topanga Beach is one of LA County's most visited coastal destinations, attracting nearly 1 million visitors annually. This investment will help address long-standing challenges like aging infrastructure and damage from recent wildfires, while also advancing the county's climate resilience and environmental stewardship goals.

The details

The restoration project will include measures to mitigate erosion and sea-level rise, construct a new FAA-approved helipad, upgrade transit stops and parking, and expand the usable beach area. The work is being led by the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains in partnership with the county Department of Beaches and Harbors, California State Parks, and Caltrans.

  • The $500,000 in Measure A funding was awarded on April 2, 2026.
  • The Topanga Lagoon restoration project has been ongoing since 2019.

The players

Lindsey Horvath

L.A. County Supervisor representing the Third District, who presented the funding award to the Resource Conservation District.

Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains

The environmental organization leading the Topanga Lagoon restoration project.

Warren Ontiveros

Deputy director of the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors, which manages the Topanga Beach property.

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What they’re saying

“'LA County's Third District is proud to support the continued restoration of the Topanga Lagoon. This investment advances the long-term resilience of our coastline, expands access to nature and recreation for our communities, and protects vital ecosystems as we confront the climate crisis.'”

— Lindsey Horvath, L.A. County Supervisor

“'This investment allows us to move critical restoration work forward at Topanga Lagoon while improving how people experience and connect with the coast.'”

— Jasmine Reinhardt, District Manager, Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains

“'Topanga Beach is one of our most visited stretches of coastline, and projects like this are essential to keeping them safe and accessible for the public while also advancing responsible stewardship of ecological resources.'”

— Warren Ontiveros, Deputy Director, L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors

What’s next

The goal is to use the Measure A funding to advance the design and engineering work for the Topanga Lagoon restoration project, moving it closer to the construction phase.

The takeaway

This investment in the Topanga Lagoon restoration project demonstrates LA County's commitment to improving public access, enhancing climate resilience, and protecting vital coastal ecosystems along its shoreline. By partnering with local environmental organizations, the county is taking proactive steps to address long-standing challenges and ensure this popular beach destination remains safe, accessible, and ecologically sustainable for years to come.