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Tommy Bartee sculpture, "Smiling Man," 2018
Tommy Bartee carved his relief sculpture, "Smiling Man," onto a wooden post that marks the perimeter of the Topanga Beach dirt lot.
Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine and Wylie's Bait & Tackle
Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine (18763 PCH) and Wylie's Bait & Tackle 18757 PCH) are burned by the Palisades Fire. Only their blackened signs still stand.
George Trafton in the 2nd issue of "Skateboarder" magazine
George Trafton hangs heels on a wave at Topanga Beach, and on a Hobie skateboard on Woody Woodward's paddle-tennis court at Topanga Beach. The photos appeared in the article "Surfer/Skateboarder," published in the second issue of "Skateboarder"…
Surfer JoJo Perrin displays his artwork
In the early 1980s, surfer JoJo Perrin (1950-2023) would spend the afternoons in the parking lot at Topanga Beach nearly every day, selling his artwork from his van.
JoJo was revered for his an innovative surfing style. In the 1960s and '70s, he…
JoJo was revered for his an innovative surfing style. In the 1960s and '70s, he…
Aldo Vidali
In 1930, Aldo was born to an Italian family in Ixelles, Belgium. As a child he went to Italy and from there he began his life of traveling. His travels have taken him to almost every continent in the world. He has studied at the University of…
Jeanne and Tom Mitchell's home after Northridge Earthquake
Jeanne and Tom Mitchell's home lists after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
Summit Valley Park celebration
Summit Valley Park celebration thrown by Jeanne Mitchell (waving foreground). Double rainbows in the sky.
Canned Heat on Topanga Beach after a flood, 2/2
The band Canned Heat poses on Topanga Beach with driftwood: Bob Hite, Henry Vestine, Larry Taylor, Alan Wilson, and Adolfo de la Parra.
Canned Heat on Topanga Beach after a flood, 1/2
The band Canned Heat poses on Topanga Beach with driftwood: Larry Taylor, Bob Hite, Alan Wilson, Henry Vestine, and Adolfo de la Parra.
Dancers lead the Topanga Days Parade near Entrada Rd.
Dancers lead the the Topanga Days Parade along Topanga Canyon Blvd. near Entrada Rd.
The Topanga Days Parade passes the Great Wall
The Topanga Days Parade passes the Great Wall of Topanga. People stand on a pickup truck, sit on floats, or follow along on Topanga Canyon Blvd.
The Topanga Days Parade starts at Pine Tree Circle
The Topanga Days Parade starts at Pine Tree Circle with bicycles and floats. Bubbles fill the air.
Ernest Batchelder tiles adorn a bridge on the Blvd.
Ernest Batchelder tiles adorn a bridge on Topanga Canyon Blvd. The bridge was built circa 1930.
Tim Hayes wears a homemade Blue Juice T-shirt
Skateboarder Tim Hayes wears a homemade Blue Juice T-shirt.
View from the ocean of Topanga Beach houses, 1970s, 9/9
View from the ocean shows Topanga Beach houses.
1. The Gulf gas station (in the background)
2. Tim Harvey's house
3. Austin McCann, Mike Howell, and Andy Mercer's house. (Al Wurtzel and John Dominico lived downstairs.)
4. Unknown house
5.…
1. The Gulf gas station (in the background)
2. Tim Harvey's house
3. Austin McCann, Mike Howell, and Andy Mercer's house. (Al Wurtzel and John Dominico lived downstairs.)
4. Unknown house
5.…
View from the ocean of Topanga Beach houses, 1970s, 8/9
View from the ocean shows Topanga Beach houses.
1. Tim Harvey's house
2. Austin McCann, Mike Howell, and Andy Mercer's house. (Al Wurtzel and John Dominico lived downstairs.)
3. Unknown house
4. Unknown house
1. Tim Harvey's house
2. Austin McCann, Mike Howell, and Andy Mercer's house. (Al Wurtzel and John Dominico lived downstairs.)
3. Unknown house
4. Unknown house
View from the ocean of Topanga Beach houses, 1970s, 7/9
View from the ocean shows Topanga Beach houses.
1. Tim Harvey's house
2. Austin McCann, Mike Howell, and Andy Mercer's house. (Al Wurtzel and John Dominico lived downstairs.)
3. Unknown house
4. Unknown house
1. Tim Harvey's house
2. Austin McCann, Mike Howell, and Andy Mercer's house. (Al Wurtzel and John Dominico lived downstairs.)
3. Unknown house
4. Unknown house
View from the ocean of Topanga Beach houses, 1970s, 6/9
View from the ocean shows Topanga Beach houses.
1. John and Foster Sherwood's house (18638)
2. Sig Wingard's house
3. Doug Meredith's house (18630)
1. John and Foster Sherwood's house (18638)
2. Sig Wingard's house
3. Doug Meredith's house (18630)
View from the ocean of Topanga Beach houses, 1970s, 5/9
View from the ocean shows Topanga Beach houses.
1. Michael Hamilburg's house
2. Bob Barrow's house (18644)
1. Michael Hamilburg's house
2. Bob Barrow's house (18644)
View from the ocean of Topanga Beach houses, 1970s, 4/9
View from the ocean shows Topanga Beach houses.
1. Doris Ollestad's house
2. Paul Randall's house (the lifeguard tower)
3. Carroll Pratt's house (18704)
4. Wheeler Coberly's house
5. Lloyd Ahern's house (18674, The Yellow House)
1. Doris Ollestad's house
2. Paul Randall's house (the lifeguard tower)
3. Carroll Pratt's house (18704)
4. Wheeler Coberly's house
5. Lloyd Ahern's house (18674, The Yellow House)
View from the ocean of Topanga Beach houses, 1970s, 3/9
View from the ocean shows Topanga Beach houses.
1. Unknown house, partly in frame
2. Sid Bernstein's house
3. Doris Ollestad's house
4. Paul Randall's house (the lifeguard tower)
5. Carroll Pratt's house (18704)
6. Wheeler Coberly's house
7.…
1. Unknown house, partly in frame
2. Sid Bernstein's house
3. Doris Ollestad's house
4. Paul Randall's house (the lifeguard tower)
5. Carroll Pratt's house (18704)
6. Wheeler Coberly's house
7.…
View from the ocean of Topanga Beach houses, 1970s, 2/9
View from the ocean shows Topanga Beach houses.
1. George's Market (in the background)
2. Unknown house
3. Sid Bernstein's house
4. Doris Ollestad's house
5. Paul Randall's house (the lifeguard tower)
6. Carroll Pratt's house (18704)
7.…
1. George's Market (in the background)
2. Unknown house
3. Sid Bernstein's house
4. Doris Ollestad's house
5. Paul Randall's house (the lifeguard tower)
6. Carroll Pratt's house (18704)
7.…
View from the ocean of Topanga Beach houses, 1970s, 1/9
View from the ocean shows Topanga Beach houses and the Topanga Lagoon and bridge.
1. Don James's house
2. George's Market (in the background)
1. Don James's house
2. George's Market (in the background)
View from the ocean of Las Tunas Beach houses, 1970s
View from the ocean of Las Tunas Beach houses shows the Flying "A" gas station and a billboard in the background.
Aerial view of Old Malibu Road and Topanga Creek, 1970s
Aerial view of Old Malibu Road, PCH houses, and Topanga Creek shows businesses the Flying “A” gas station, The Spaghetti Joint, Wylie's Bait and Tackle shop, Jim Dandy Cafe, and Red Carpet Realtors. Tuna Canyon is at top left. The Topanga Ranch Motel…
Tim Harvey sits on his couch with his dog
Tim Harvey sits on his couch with his dog in his Topanga Beach house
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.
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.
James Craig drives by the Topanga Post Office
Postmaster James Craig drives a horse-drawn cart by the Topanga Post Office and General Store.
Mr. Lugo walks down Topanga Canyon
Mr. Lugo (a helper at McAllister's Tavern) carries a suitcase down Topanga Canyon.
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.
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…
Stella McAllister and nephew at her tavern
Stella McAllister and nephew at her tavern. She insisted her guests help in the kitchen.
Reverend Frederick Post with Dolores Trujillo
The Reverent Frederick Post lost his extensive library when his home burned.
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.
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…
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…
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.
Topanga Cooperative Preschool students
Topanga Cooperative Preschool students. Back: Unknown, Matthew Lepner. Front: Morgan Reed, Haydn Shelters, Ali Stack.
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.
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.
"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"
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Surfboards lean against the porch of The Yellow House
Surfboards lean against the porch of The Yellow House (The Yellow Submarine) at Topanga Beach.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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…
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.
Plants grow over the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel
Plants grow over 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.
A sign stands by the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel
A sign stands by the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel at 18711 PCH.
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…
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…
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…
Shane McMahon hangs five at Topanga Beach
Shane McMahon hangs five while surfing a wave 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…
A bulkhead protects Eddie Wingard's house from big waves
A bulkhead protects Eddie Wingard's house from big waves at Topanga Beach.
Sid Francis painting , "Jean Glass," 1968
Sid Francis's painting shows Jean Glass wearing a Native American hat from Washington.
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…
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…
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.
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.
Herb Bermann's red house 3719 Rodeo Grounds
A red bougainvillea grows on Herb Bermann's house at 3719 Rodeo Grounds.
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).
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.
Mud covers the road by 3707 Rodeo Grounds
Mud covers the road between 3712 Rodeo Grounds and 3707 Rodeo Grounds.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
"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.'"
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