Los Angeles is unique in that it is a city divided by a mountain range, the Santa Monica Mountains. On the south side is the Los Angeles Basin and on the north is the San Fernando Valley. Topanga is in a canyon in the mountains that lies midway between and connects these urban giants. The village of Topanga, locally known as Fernwood, is just up the hill from Malibu on the Pacific Ocean coast and Woodland Hills on the Valley side. Topanga State Park lies alongside and sometimes mingles within the village and neighborhoods. This Park, at 11,000 acres, 4452 hectares, is the largest urban wildland park in the world.