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The staff of The Chart House restaurant, early 1980s
The staff of The Chart House restaurant takes a group photo on the rocks at Topanga Beach.
Tommy and Greg Wagner, holding bottle, are in front
Chris Babcock (in blue jeans, upper left)
David Gould (far left)
Michael Moore and Glenn were the…
Tommy and Greg Wagner, holding bottle, are in front
Chris Babcock (in blue jeans, upper left)
David Gould (far left)
Michael Moore and Glenn were the…
The Spiral Staircase House on Topanga Lane
The Spiral Staircase House at 3924 Topanga Lane is boarded up. Cult leader and serial killer Charles Manson and his Family stayed here in 1967. He recruited his youngest member, Dianne Lake, here, and nicknamed her "Snake," which may have something…
The Spaghetti Joint: Stephanie, Jarnell, Philly, Aurora, 2/2
Stephanie Lira, Jarnell Wingard, Philly Brooks, and Aurora Glassock share a table at The Spaghetti Joint restaurant, across from Topanga Beach.
The Spaghetti Joint: Stephanie, Jarnell, Philly, Aurora, 1/2
Stephanie Lira, Jarnell Wingard, Philly Brooks, and Aurora Glassock share a table at The Spaghetti Joint restaurant, across from Topanga Beach.
The Snake Pit burns in the 1993 Old Topanga Fire
The Snake Pit burns in the 1993 Old Topanga Fire. Firefighters spray water from hoses at the back of the Topanga Ranch Motel.
The Sloan family's trailer home
Bill and Pearl Sloan and their first three children called this 16-foot travel trailer home while they waited for a new one.
The sign for The Zoo nightclub hangs outside The Raft
The sign for The Zoo nightclub hangs outside The Raft seafood restaurant, across from Topanga Beach, in a still from the surf film "Cosmic Children" by Hal Jepsen (1970).
The sign for The Raft seafood restaurant has an anchor
The sign for The Raft seafood restaurant, across from Topanga Beach, has an anchor, in a still from the surf film "Cosmic Children" by Hal Jepsen (1970).
The shipwreck of "Jeane Taggert" rests on Topanga Beach
A 67-foot, commercial, fishing boat, the "Jeane Taggert," rests on Topanga Beach after being stripped of all its useful gear. The boat hit the rocky point in the fog when its electronic navigation malfunctioned on August 5, 1969, at about 6:25 p.m.…
The Sherwood house, 18638 W. Topanga Beach Rd.
The Sherwood house, at 18638 W. Topanga Beach Rd., previously belonged to the Saenz family. Foster Sherwood planted a bougainvillea on the road that still grows there. John Sherwood's room was on the top left. Foster's room was below. Their…
The Rust family builds snowmen in Topanga
The Rust family builds snowmen in Topanga. From left: unknown, Clayton Rust, unknown (seated), Cleo Rust Wendill, Avis Wendill, Ina Rust, Mary Kays
The Rust family at Topanga Beach
The Rust family at Topanga Beach. Ella Rust sits in the center of sons Archie and Don Rust and their families. Granddaughter Thais Rust is at right.
The Rust family at Topanga Beach
The Rust family at Topanga Beach.
FRONT:
Ellen Rust Penland, Joanne Simmons, Thais Rust, Ray and Leon Simmons, Ella Rust, Avis Wendill, Fern Rust, Raburn Stedman Rust.
MIDDLE:
Clayton Rust, Roy Rust, Claude Simmons, Edythe Rust, Fleta Rust,…
FRONT:
Ellen Rust Penland, Joanne Simmons, Thais Rust, Ray and Leon Simmons, Ella Rust, Avis Wendill, Fern Rust, Raburn Stedman Rust.
MIDDLE:
Clayton Rust, Roy Rust, Claude Simmons, Edythe Rust, Fleta Rust,…
The Rodeo Grounds is concealed by trees
Trees hide the neighborhood. Jeff Lunsford drives his van on the dirt road at left. Pablo Capra and friends stand on the roof of his house at 3712 Rodeo Grounds at right.
The Rodeo Grounds burned in the Palisades Fire
The entrance road descends into the The Rodeo Grounds, which burned in the 2025 Palisades Fire. The Moonfire Temple on top of the hill also burned.
The Rodeo Grounds bridge leads to the Stalcup house
The Rodeo Grounds bridge crosses Topanga Creek. It leads to a water tank and the house of Ed and Ann Stalcup, 3767 Rodeo Grounds.
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."
The Rodeo Grounds bridge is crooked
The Rodeo Grounds bridge has become crooked during the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks.
The Rocco family at Rocco's restaurant
The Rocco family at Rocco's restaurant: Eva, Frank, Ryan Schweers (Frank's nephew), Marlene, Kristina Rocco Levy, Jed Levy, Eva Otoala (Marlene's sister) and the kids Lorenzo Levy, Emiliano Zapata and Chaise Levy.
The Reel Inn's pun, "Baits Motel," alludes to Topanga's motel
The Reel Inn seafood restaurant's neon sign lights up the night at 18661 PCH. A wet-erase blackboard says, "Baits Motel" (Bates Motel), punning on the location of Alfred Hitchcock's horror film "Psycho" (1960), and making a comparison to the…
The Reel Inn's neon sign lights up PCH
The neon sign of the Reel Inn seafood restaurant lights up PCH at night, at 18661 PCH, across from Topanga Beach. A Volkswagen Beetle car is parked nearby.
The Reel Inn's blackboard says, "Surf Report: OMG"
A man puts his surfboard back into his van by The Reel Inn at 18661 PCH. The blackboard says, "Surf Report: OMG," on a day with big waves.
The Reel Inn's blackboard says, "Catfish in the Hat"
The Reel Inn seafood restaurant's neon sign lights up the night at 18661 PCH. A wet-erase blackboard says, "Catfish in the Hat."
The Reel Inn enforces social distancing during COVID-19
The Reel Inn seafood restaurant (18661 PCH) has spray-painted arrows and marks on the floor leading up to the order window to enforce six feet of social distancing. A cook wears a face mask. At this time, only takeout was allowed.
During the…
During the…
The Raft, "Really superb food in pretty shabby surroundings"
A postcard for The Raft advertises, "Really superb food in pretty shabby surroundings. Booze and Entertainment."
The Raft was a bar and seafood restaurant at 18661 Pacific Coast Highway, Topanga Beach, from 1963 until it burned in 1979. Today it's…
The Raft was a bar and seafood restaurant at 18661 Pacific Coast Highway, Topanga Beach, from 1963 until it burned in 1979. Today it's…
The Raft seafood restaurant advertises "Shore Dinners"
The Raft seafood restaurant, across from Topanga Beach, advertises "Shore Dinners" and cocktails on its signs. Volkswagen beetles are parked in front. A figurehead stands by the entrance.
The Raft restaurant T-shirt
The Raft's T-shirt shows a life preserver and an anchor. The Raft was a seafood restaurant at 18661 Pacific Coast Highway, Topanga Beach, from 1963 until it burned in 1979. The owners were Jack Dorfman and Jim McDonald. Today it's The Reel Inn.
The police pretends to arrest Baretta at Topanga Beach
A police officer pretends to arrest Robert Overby (Baretta) while another man pretends to beat him with a stick of arundo bamboo in the Topanga Beach parking lot in front of the Topanga Ranch Motel.
The Point restaurant's veranda overlooks Topanga Beach
The Point restaurant's veranda overlooks Topanga Beach, as seen in this colorized postcard. The Greek fishermen who owned the older Marinos' seafood restaurant nearby also owned The Point at 18412 W. Pacific Coast Highway. Later The Chart House and…
The Point restaurant's neon sign glows in the dark
The Point restaurant's neon sign, in the shape of an artist's palette, glows in the dark at sunset. The Greek fishermen who owned the older Marinos' seafood restaurant nearby also owned The Point at 18412 W. Pacific Coast Highway. Later The Chart…
The Point restaurant's logo appears on a napkin
The Point restaurant's logo appears on a napkin, with "Malibu, California." The Greek fishermen who owned the older Marinos' seafood restaurant nearby also owned The Point at 18412 W. Pacific Coast Highway. Later The Chart House and Mastro's Ocean…
The Point restaurant's bar, fireplace, and veranda
The bar, fireplace, and veranda at The Point restaurant at Topanga Beach. The Greek fishermen who owned the older Marinos' seafood restaurant nearby also owned The Point at 18412 W. Pacific Coast Highway. Later The Chart House and Mastro's Ocean Club…
The Point restaurant, looking west
The Marinos' Point seafood restaurant had a sign shaped like an artist's palette and a telephone booth outside. The Greek fishermen who owned the older Marinos' seafood restaurant nearby also owned The Point at 18412 W. Pacific Coast Highway. Later…
The Point restaurant, looking east
The Marinos' Point seafood restaurant had a sign shaped like an artist's palette and a telephone booth outside. The Greek fishermen who owned the older Marinos' seafood restaurant nearby also owned The Point at 18412 W. Pacific Coast Highway. Later…
The Pine Tree Circle mall under construction
The Pine Tree Circle mall was constructed by a crew of mostly locals. It opened in 2000. Although resented at first, it quickly became Topanga's popular town center. Owners Steve and Leslie Carlson are standing at right. The Carlsons sold the mall…
The Penny family on Paradise Lane
Kathryn Penny and Melvin Penny, with children Joel Dean Penny and Milo Penny.
In front of the John Albright home on Paradise Lane.
In front of the John Albright home on Paradise Lane.
The Pawlowski family on Route 66
The Pawlowski family (second car from left) on Route 66, from Michigan to Topanga.
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.
The Palisades Fire burned Topanga Beach Rd.
The Palisades Fire burned the hillside along Topanga Beach Rd. A blue lifeguard tower was unharmed.
The Palisades Fire burned a street sign at Topanga Beach
The Palisades Fire burned a disabled parking street sign at Topanga Beach.
The Palisades Fire approaches the Topanga Ranch Motel
The 2025 Palisades Fire approaches the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel at 18711 PCH.
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.
The Palisades Fire approaches the patio of The Reel Inn
The Palisades Fire burns in The Snake Pit as it approaches the patio of The Reel Inn seafood restaurant at 18661 PCH.
The Palisades Fire approaches Pine Tree Circle
The Palisades Fire approaches Pine Tree Circle. A fire truck drives by a bulldozer.
The Outside Inn
After the Hansens bought Jim Fletcher's Outside Inn store, they added a restaurant and it became a local favorite.
The opening of Topanga's road from the Valley to the beach
On May 29, 1915, the Automobile Club of Southern California celebrated the opening of Topanga's road from the San Fernando Valley to the beach. "The dreamer of the dream," H. J. Whitley, was the host at a "mammoth barbecue to an assembly of 5,000…
The office of the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel
A payphone stands by the office of the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel at 18711 PCH.
The Ocean Goddess Surf Club meets at Topanga Beach
Women from the Ocean Goddess Surf Club take a group photo on the beach access mat near the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower.
The neon signs of Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine light up
The neon signs of Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine light up at dusk, at 18763 PCH, across from Topanga Beach.
The Nature Boys with Gypsy Boots and eben ahbez
The Nature Boys—shirtless and eating watermelon—lived outdoors, sleeping in trees and caves. They were the first generation of Americans to adopt the German "naturmensch" philosophy that would later influence the Hippie generation. At back left is…
The Mule Train at the Country Fair
The Mule Train at the Country Fair. From left: Chris Jones, JoAnn Goodman, and Tom Butler.
The moon shines above the sign of the abandoned motel
The full moon shines through clouds at night above the sign of the abandoned Topanga Ranch Motel at 18711 PCH.
The Messenger reports a Baby Boom
The Messenger reports a Baby Boom. FRONT: Maggie Nance and Charlie, Andrea Koepke and Jonah, Jennifer Gilbert and Justin, Stacey Small and Cosmina, Holly Miles and Brandon, Jade Waters and Bodhi, Mark Mahoney and Mia with mom Sylvia behind. BACK:…
The Messenger newspaper, last issue
The portraits on the front page of the final Messenger newspaper were shot by Tony Verebes. He set up a studio in Pine Tree Circle especially for this "Topanga Community Quilt" project. The 33 well-known Topangans featured are Dan Larson, Joanne…
The Messenger newspaper, Issue #1
The first Messenger newspaper was published before a title had been found. Clockwise from top: Nico van den Heuval, Cornelius' Daddy, Intrepid Artist; Judee McBride, Ad Grabber; Jim Erickson, Friend; Mary Colvig, Typist, Moneybags, Saint; Mary…
The Mermaid Tavern, a classical music club
The Mermaid Tavern was the name of the classical music club created by Mickey and Ann Nadel in the former Sylvia Park clubhouse.
The McMahon family stands by The Yellow House
Three generations take a group photo by The Yellow House at Topanga Beach: Ernie McMahon, Mick McMahon, Shane McMahon, and Tasha McMahon. (Shane’s dog is Shambae).
The Malibu Feed Bin is burned by the Palisades Fire
The Malibu Feed Bin is burned by the Palisades Fire at the corner at 3931 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd. The fire continues to burn in the hills.
The Malibu Feed Bin has banners hanging on it
The Malibu Feed Bin has banners that say, "Gifts," and "Pray for our troops," at 3931 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
The Malibu Feed Bin announces raffle winners
The Malibu Feed Bin (at 3931 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd., at the intersection with PCH) has a sign in front announcing its raffle winners, with letters missing...
More of our
$50 winners
Maria Nation
Susan Broesmane
More of our
$50 winners
Maria Nation
Susan Broesmane
The Malibu Feed Bin and the Morehart family
In 1961, Ace Smith created the Malibu Feed Bin at the corner of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Pacific Coast Highway. In 1966, he sold it to Marty Morehart, pictured here with his wife Patricia and two daughters, Katie and Kasey, holding their own…
The Makaha skateboard team boards a plane to Hawaii
The Makaha skateboard exhibition team, wearing suits, boards a plane to Hawaii: Jim Ganzer (manager), Danny Bearer, Gregg Carroll, Joey Saenz, George Trafton, Scott Archer
The lifeguard tower at Topanga Beach flies an American flag
The lifeguard tower was Paul Randall's former Topanga Beach house. An American flag blows in the wind.
The last residents of The Rodeo Grounds take a group photo
During the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks, the last residents of The Rodeo Grounds take a group photo. They are sitting in the yard at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.
Pablo Capra, Ole Olofson and Dani Katz (sitting on a swing),…
Pablo Capra, Ole Olofson and Dani Katz (sitting on a swing),…
The Las Tunas Isle Motel has a sign on its roof
The Las Tunas Isle Motel at 18904 PCH has a sign on its roof. People and dogs walk on Las Tunas Beach. The image is a still from the film "Topanga Style" by Scott Dittrich and Pablo Capra (2018), which includes vintage footage by Hal Jepsen and Grant…
The lagoon extends far down the beach after a flood
The Topanga Lagoon extends far down the beach after a flood, and passes a shack made of driftwood, and Topanga Beach houses.
The Kaiser of Chalk Hill
In 1920 Ventura Boulevard was still a relatively unpopulated stretch of roadway. The long and narrow (no more than 14 feet in width) road was a difficult byway, particularly as it approached the Brant Rancho. Travelers from Los Angeles encountered a…
The Job, a cafe and art studio
The Job was Bob DeWitt's cafe and art studio, located at 1855 N. Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Pictured here, wife Doi and Bob are surprised by a rare snow.
The Job cafe
The Job was the hippest cafe around. Owner Bob DeWitt sits with his back to the camera.
The Inn of the Seventh Ray's tables are set for a wedding
The Inn of the Seventh Ray restaurant's patio is set up for a wedding.
The historic property at 154-156 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
The historic property at 154-156 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd. was developed in the 1930s by druggist Henry L. Wilson and his novelist wife Louise Stinetorf. In the 1960s, it was home to folk musician Rich Dehr, his wife Marge, and their Discovery Inn…
The hills are burned around the Topanga Lagoon
The hills are burned around the Topanga Lagoon bridge after the 2025 Palisades Fire.
The Hassid family's guesthouse was at 3720 Rodeo Grounds
The guesthouse of Dan Hassid and Delphine Hassid at 3720 Rodeo Grounds is surrounded by a rock garden. A tall sculpture by Jean-Baptiste Fourault is up the steps at right.
The Grateful Dads
The Grateful Dads band, composed of local dads: unknown, Herb Engelhardt, Tom Mitchell, Wally High.
The Glass family's outdoor fireplace in Glenview
Kari Glass, Jean Glass, Hugh Glass, and Bob Glass take a group photo by their outdoor fireplace at Koontz Way in Glenview. They have hung a wreath and a stocking for Christmas.
The Glass family's Hippie Christmas card
The barefoot Glass family takes a group photo for their Christmas card, "Hippie Xmas and a Mary": Kari Glass, Jean Glass, Hugh Glass, and Bob Glass.
The Glass family celebrates the US Bicentennial
Bob Glass, Jean Glass, Hugh Glass, and Kari Glass celebrate the United States Bicentennial with American flags, rifles, and a top hat. Every year, the Glass family dressed up in a theme and took an anniversary photo.
The giant table remains after Rosenthal Wine Bar burned
The oversized chairs, table, wine bottle, and glasses remain after Rosenthal Wine Bar (18741 PCH) burned in the Palisades Fire.
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