Browse Items (3726 total)
Sort by:
The Yellow House was burned by surfers, 5/6
The Yellow House was burned by surfers to spare it the indignity of being bulldozed during the eviction of Topanga Beach by State Parks.
The Yellow House was burned by surfers, 6/6
The Yellow House was graffitied before being burned by surfers to spare it the indignity of being bulldozed during the eviction of Topanga Beach by State Parks. The walls show the words "Rock On," "Last Tango," and "Free Tanya," referencing the…
Roy F. Staab sculpture, "Topanga Cockscomb," 2004
Roy F. Staab sculpture, "Topanga Cockscomb," was an ephemeral installation built in The Snake Pit, on a hill overlooking Pacific Coast Highway. Roy used the arundo donax bamboo that was being cut and poisoned by State Parks for being non-native. He…
Coliene Rentmeester makes a face in The Rodeo Grounds
Coliene Rentmeester wears face paint and makes a funny face at Ray and Renate Casser's house at 3703 Rodeo Grounds. Above the door, a historical sign hangs with a horseshoe on it. The sign says, "Rancho Rodeo."
People form a chain to lay sandbags in The Rodeo Grounds
People form a chain to fill and lay sandbags on the concrete berm by Topanga Creek in The Rodeo Grounds. Bernt Capra is at left. His sons Lucas Capra (in pink) and Pablo Capra (in stripes) are the blonds whose faces are visible.
Bernt Capra, Lucas Capra, and Scotty Dittrich sit in the yard
Bernt Capra sits in a lawn chair in his yard at 3712 Rodeo Grounds. Behind him are his son Lucas Capra and neighbor Scotty Dittrich. At right, a stage is painted with a yin-yang symbol.
Lucas Capra rafts Topanga Creek in The Rodeo Grounds, 1/2
Bernt Capra and Pablo Capra stand on the concrete berm in The Rodeo Grounds. They hold a rope attached to a raft on Topanga Creek. Lucas Capra lies inside.
Lucas Capra rafts Topanga Creek in The Rodeo Grounds, 2/2
A raft is attached to a rope on Topanga Creek, by the concrete berm in The Rodeo Grounds. Lucas Capra lies inside. He has a piece of wood for a paddle.
Metates found at Tank Site
Native American metates for grinding seeds found on the surface of the Tank Site
Student works at the Tank Site
Student works at the 8,000-year-old Native American "Tank Site" on Trippet Ranch (now Topanga State Park), excavated by UC Berkeley.
Bedrock mortar
Bedrock mortars, holes made my Native American women grinding seeds, occur in many places in Topanga sandstone. This one was found near Top of Topanga.
Alice Anderson skis in the Winfield Road pasture
Alice Anderson skis in the Winfield Road pasture after The Big Snow. Children from left: Carol Haines, Lynn Haines (above), Molly Anderson, and Bruce Haines.
Alice Anderson and children play in the snow
Alice Anderson and children play in the snow in the Winfield Road pasture. The children include Molly Anderson, Carol Haines, Lynn Haines, and Bruce Haines.
Lifeguard T-shirt commemorates summer 2009
A surfer rides a wave on a T-shirt created for LA County Fire Department Ocean Lifeguards working at Area 27 (Topanga Beach) to commemorate summer 2009. The shirt says, "Never trust a guard who doesn't surf."
A double rainbow arches over Topanga Beach
View from the lifeguard tower shows a double rainbow over Topanga Beach. The Chart House is at right.
A rainbow descends into The Snake Pit
View from the lifeguard tower shows a rainbow descending over Topanga Beach Rd. and into The Snake Pit.
Sam Cockins painting, "At the Bernsteins' House," c. 1970
Sam Cockins painting, "At the Bernsteins' House," shows a view, from the deck, of Topanga Beach houses in psychedelic colors.
Sam Cockins painting, "Tony Whipple & George Trafton"
Sam Cockins painting, "Tony Whipple & George Trafton," shows the two surfers sitting by Topanga Beach houses in psychedelic colors.
The Palisades Fire approaches the Topanga Ranch Motel
The Palisades Fire approaches the Topanga Ranch Motel, at 18711 PCH, across from Topanga Beach. A firefighter walks by.
"Save Topanga Point. Stop Lagoon 'Restoration.'"
A logo for the group Save Topanga Now shows a skull and crossbones where Highway 27 and Highway 1 meet (the intersection of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and PCH at Topanga Beach). It protests, "Save Topanga Point. Stop Lagoon 'Restoration.'"
Grant Rohloff carries Thea Armand across Topanga Creek
Grant Rohloff holds onto a rope and carries Thea Armand across Topanga Creek after the Rodeo Grounds bridge washed out in a flood. This is a still from a home movie by Scott Dittrich.
A barricade blocks the entrance to The Rodeo Grounds
A traffic barricade blocks the entrance to The Rodeo Grounds, across Topanga Creek, after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks.
The Rodeo Grounds bridge is gated off by State Parks, 1/2
The entrance of The Rodeo Grounds bridge is gated off after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks. A sign says, "Danger. Keep out."
The Rodeo Grounds bridge is gated off by State Parks, 2/2
The exit of The Rodeo Grounds bridge is gated off after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks. A sign says, "Danger. Keep out."
Residents dug a runoff ditch after the 1993 Old Topanga Fire
Residents dug a runoff ditch after the 1993 Old Topanga Fire to prevent mudslides in The Rodeo Grounds. At left are (maybe) John Volk and the dog Panda.
Bill Smith's house was abandoned at 3747 Rodeo Grounds
Bill Smith's house was abandoned at 3747 Rodeo Grounds. At right is the roof of 3751 Rodeo Grounds.
Mud covers the road by 3707 Rodeo Grounds
Mud covers the road between 3712 Rodeo Grounds and 3707 Rodeo Grounds.
Rodeo Grounds residents park their cars across the creek
Rodeo Grounds residents park their cars on the side of Topanga Creek that's closest to Topanga Canyon Blvd.
The 1993 Old Topanga Fire stopped at 3701 Rodeo Grounds
The 1993 Old Topanga Fire stopped at Scott Dittrich's office at 3701 Rodeo Grounds, where it burned a shed in the backyard (foreground).
Herb Bermann's red house 3719 Rodeo Grounds
A red bougainvillea grows on Herb Bermann's house at 3719 Rodeo Grounds.
Pablo Capra stands by his greenhouse in The Rodeo Grounds
Pablo Capra wears a pink shirt and stands in the doorway of his greenhouse at 3712 Rodeo Grounds.
Never-Ending Costume Party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 2/6
Norton Wisdom and James Mathers (wearing a clown hat and a silver space suit) stand by Wisdom's performance painting at a "Never-Ending Costume Party" at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.
Topanga Bombers Surf Club reunion T-shirt, 1991
Topanga Bomber Jim Fitzpatrick commissioned skateboard artist Sean Cliver to design this reunion T-shirt in 1991. It was printed at Powell-Peralta Skateboards.
Fitzpatrick asked Cliver to modify the logo of the Santa Cruz Surfers Union by adding a…
Fitzpatrick asked Cliver to modify the logo of the Santa Cruz Surfers Union by adding a…
Sid Francis painting, "Reflections with Round Mirrors," 1971
Artists Sid and his wife Jean Francis moved to Topanga after the 1959 fire. Sid painted still lifes in the tradition of the Dutch Masters. He was one of the most involved Topanga artists in the community. He was president of the Topanga Art Council…
Sid Francis painting , "Jean Glass," 1968
Sid Francis's painting shows Jean Glass wearing a Native American hat from Washington.
A bulkhead protects Eddie Wingard's house from big waves
A bulkhead protects Eddie Wingard's house from big waves at Topanga Beach.
Chester Griffiths Sr., Chester Griffiths Jr., & Clayton Colbert
Chester Griffiths Sr., Chester Griffiths Jr., and Clayton Colbert spend the second night of the Palisades Fire on the roof of the Griffiths' house with a fire hose at 18830 Topanga Beach Dr. They saved the houses on their short street, while most of…
Shane McMahon hangs five at Topanga Beach
Shane McMahon hangs five while surfing a wave at Topanga Beach.
Stacy Peralta painting, "Blue Makaha Wheels," 2025
Stacy Peralta's painting shows "Blue Makaha Wheels on Lame Makaha Trucks."
Venice lifeguard Larry Stevenson (1930-2012) designed and manufactured the first commercial skateboards in 1961, under his brand Makaha, and with the help of his wife…
Venice lifeguard Larry Stevenson (1930-2012) designed and manufactured the first commercial skateboards in 1961, under his brand Makaha, and with the help of his wife…
Stacy Peralta painting, "Red Makaha Board," 2025
Stacy Peralta's painting shows a "Red Makaha Board with Blue Makaha Wheels."
Venice lifeguard Larry Stevenson (1930-2012) designed and manufactured the first commercial skateboards in 1961, under his brand Makaha, and with the help of his wife…
Venice lifeguard Larry Stevenson (1930-2012) designed and manufactured the first commercial skateboards in 1961, under his brand Makaha, and with the help of his wife…
A bridge crosses the Topanga Lagoon
A bridge crosses the Topanga Lagoon, near Cooper's Camp and De Long Cafe. Plans were afoot to replace the bridge, which happened in 1933. This photo comes from a 1930 report submitted to the Citizens' Committee on Parks, Playgrounds, and Beaches, by…
A sign stands by the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel
A sign stands by the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel at 18711 PCH.
The office of the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel
A payphone stands by the office of the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel at 18711 PCH.
Plants grow over the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel
Plants grow over the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel at 18711 PCH.
Stephen Dudro painting, "Topanga Beach Palm Tree," 2010s
Stephen Dudro's painting "Topanga Beach Palm Tree" also shows several century plants. Surfers are in the ocean.
"Topanga Beach," International Surfing Magazine, 1971, 1/7
Larry Bertleman surfs a tubing wave in Hawaii on the cover of the December/January issue of "International Surfing Magazine." The headlines read...
Hawaii's Town Surf Is Soooo Fine
Topanga Is a State of Mind
What Everyone Should Know About Wet…
Hawaii's Town Surf Is Soooo Fine
Topanga Is a State of Mind
What Everyone Should Know About Wet…
Composer Joseph J. Lilley's living room at Topanga Beach
Composer Joseph J. Lilley and his family lived in this Topanga Beach house, 18726 W. Topanga Beach Rd. The living room has a fireplace.
Topanga Bombers confront non-local surfers, 2/2
Topanga Bombers throw rocks at non-local surfers, "Vals," sneaking onto the beach through the Topanga Lagoon. The beach house on the bluff belonged to surf photographer and dentist Dr. Don James in the 1960s-70s.
Tim Morrissey sprays a hose at a dog on Topanga Beach
Tim Morrissey sprays a hose at a dog at Annette Smith's house on Topanga Beach.
Composer Joseph J. Lilley's beach house had a volleyball net
Composer Joseph J. Lilley and his family lived in this Topanga Beach house with a volleyball court by the lagoon, 18726 W. Topanga Beach Rd.
Topanga Bombers confront non-local surfers, 1/2
Topanga Bombers prevent non-local surfers, "Vals," from sneaking onto the beach through the Topanga Lagoon by Joseph J. Lilley's house.
Four dogs sit in front of Topanga Beach houses
Four dogs sit in front of Topanga Beach houses. At left is Jim Fitzpatrick's dog Pat.
Surfboards lean against the porch of The Yellow House
Surfboards lean against the porch of The Yellow House (The Yellow Submarine) at Topanga Beach.
Mary Woodjack Cleary and Doris Ollestad sunbathe
Mary Woodjack Cleary and Doris Ollestad sit on beach chairs by surfboards left in front of the Yellow House.
Victoria Woodward rides a Makaha skateboard at the beach
Victoria Woodward, the sister of skateboarding world-champion Woody Woodward, rides a Makaha skateboard on their paddle-tennis court at Topanga Beach.
Topanga Sue’s car is parked on Topanga Beach Rd.
"Topanga Sue" Lilley’s Pontiac LeMans car is parked on Topanga Beach Rd. Her Phil Edwards model, Hobie surfboard is strapped to the roof.
The Topanga Lagoon looks like a gap between beach houses
The Topanga Lagoon looks like a gap between beach houses in this view from the ocean.
1. Don James's house (on the bluff)
2. La Mer restaurant (center)
3. Byron Lasky's house
4. Woody Woodward's house
1. Don James's house (on the bluff)
2. La Mer restaurant (center)
3. Byron Lasky's house
4. Woody Woodward's house
Dave Grossman, Rick Corman, and Stan Silberg
Bodybuilder friends Dave Grossman, Rick Corman, and Stan Silberg rented the white house above, on PCH at Topanga Beach. A girlfriend holds a towel.
"Keep Topanga Beach, Topanga Beach. Stop 'Restoration'!"
Surfer Michael Bihari protests by wearing a T-shirt with a skull and crossbones that says, "Keep Topanga Beach, Topanga Beach. Stop the Topanga Lagoon 'Restoration' Project now! www.savetopanganow.com"
Johnny Sterner holds up his surfboard at Topanga Beach
Johnny Sterner holds up a surfboard he shaped from a century plant in the Topanga Beach parking lot.
Victoria Andersen watches Bunny sew at Topanga Beach
Victoria Andersen wears a bikini and watches Anne Fuchs ("Bunny") embroider a shirt in front of Topanga Beach houses.
Topanga Cooperative Preschool students
Topanga Cooperative Preschool students. Back: Unknown, Matthew Lepner. Front: Morgan Reed, Haydn Shelters, Ali Stack.
Jean Dillingham teaches a Booster Club science program
Resource Conversation District worker Jean Dillingham teaches a Booster Club science program. From left: Erin Whalley, unknown, Rachel Rein, Matthew Dorland, Heather Haigh, Hannah Young.
LADWP replaces businesses burned by the Palisades Fire
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power temporarily resides at the former site of Rosenthal Wine Bar, Topanga Ranch Motel, and the Reel Inn one year after the 2025 Palisades Fire. A chain-link fence protects portable offices and tents along…
Selected fossils from the Topanga Canyon Formation
1. Calyptraea coreyi Addicott
2. Diplodonta (Felaniella) harfordi Anderson
3. Batillaria ocoyana (Anderson and Martin)
4. Bittium topangensis (Arnold)
5. Tegula (Cholorostoma) dalli (Arnold)
6. Crassostrea titan (Conrad)
7. Turritella…
2. Diplodonta (Felaniella) harfordi Anderson
3. Batillaria ocoyana (Anderson and Martin)
4. Bittium topangensis (Arnold)
5. Tegula (Cholorostoma) dalli (Arnold)
6. Crassostrea titan (Conrad)
7. Turritella…
The Palisades Fire nears the stoplight at the Topanga Center
The Palisades Fire nears the traffic light by Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Cuesta Cala Rd. (the Topanga Center). It threatens homes on Colina Dr., Greenbluff Dr., and Encina Rd.
Reverend Frederick Post with Dolores Trujillo
The Reverent Frederick Post lost his extensive library when his home burned.
Stella McAllister and nephew at her tavern
Stella McAllister and nephew at her tavern. She insisted her guests help in the kitchen.
A prison camp in Lower Topanga housed a chain gang
A prison camp in Lower Topanga housed a chain gang while they built the Topanga Canyon Road.
"The great dormitory sits in the center of what will soon be a beautiful garden. The prisoners have already marked off the plot for flower…
"The great dormitory sits in the center of what will soon be a beautiful garden. The prisoners have already marked off the plot for flower…
Teacher Theresa Sletton sits on the steps with her students
Theresa Sletton sits on the steps with her students. She taught at the one-room elementary schoolhouse from 1912-1918.
Mr. Lugo walks down Topanga Canyon
Mr. Lugo (a helper at McAllister's Tavern) carries a suitcase down Topanga Canyon.
James Craig drives by the Topanga Post Office
Postmaster James Craig drives a horse-drawn cart by the Topanga Post Office and General Store.
Dragonfly Ranch
Dragonfly Ranch was built in 1991 by architect Cary Gepner and actor-craftsman-owner James Judd Morgan. When it went on the market in 2004, its $7.5 million asking price was a record high for Topanga.
Tim Harvey talks to a woman in a bikini
Tim Harvey talks to a woman in a bikini with a dog. Behind them, catamarans are parked in front of Topanga Beach houses.
Tim Harvey sits on his couch with his dog
Tim Harvey sits on his couch with his dog in his Topanga Beach house
Featured Item
No featured items are available.