The beloved Topanga Ranch Motel, situated opposite Topanga Beach in Malibu, was lost in the catastrophic Palisades Fire that ignited across Los Angeles on Tuesday, consuming over 27,000 acres in the area.

This blaze, intensified by fierce Santa Ana winds reaching speeds of 80 mph, “damaged portions of Topanga State Park, including the historic Topanga Ranch Motel that was once owned by William Randolph Hearst,” as reported by California State Parks News on Wednesday.

State Parks Director Armando Quintero expressed, “California State Parks grieves the loss of these valuable natural and cultural treasures, and we extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the tragic fires in the Los Angeles area.”

Quintero mentioned that “all available resources” are being mobilized for emergency response and the organization is “striving to safeguard and preserve as much as possible in neighboring state parks that have been affected.”

“We greatly appreciate our park staff and all partner agencies for their prompt actions,” Quintero remarked. “The safety of the public, our employees, and the courageous responders combating the flames remains our top priority.”

Impact on Topanga State Park

The Palisades Fire, which started around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, completely ravaged the Topanga Ranch Motel along with employee residences at the state park. It also affected Will Rogers’ historic ranch house and other significant structures at nearby Will Rogers State Historic Park, as stated by California State Parks.

Although a comprehensive evaluation of the damages is not yet available, officials reported that there have been over 30 structural losses at both Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Park.

Topanga Ranch Motel’s Legacy

The bungalow-style Topanga Ranch Motel was constructed in 1929 by William Randolph Hearst, a millionaire mining engineer from San Francisco. This 30-room establishment, located across from Topanga Beach, once provided accommodation for Pacific Coast Highway construction workers and later became an affordable seaside getaway for families and writers, as noted by California State Parks. The motel was also renowned as a favored film and television spot.

California State Parks acquired the motel in 2001, and plans to restore 20 of the cabins for public enjoyment have been in progress over the past few years.

Other significant landmarks affected by the recent fires include Palisades Charter High School, Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, Theatre Palisades, and The Reel Inn.

This story was revised to correct a misspelling.