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Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine enforces social distancing

Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine (18763 PCH) has a sign that says, "Open for takeout only." Transactions are made at a window. Fences, traffic cones, and police tape separate spaces for entering and exiting to enforce social distancing.

During the…

A sign at Topanga Beach warns "beginners and kooks"

A sign made from a skimboard is posted on a tree by the Topanga Beach stairs. It says, "Warning, beginners and kooks. South of tower (that way ←). Please respect. You give, you get." Graffiti says, "No longboarders."

Los Angeles County partially…

Signs at the Reel Inn show COVID-19 pandemic restrictions

Signs on the wall show COVID-19 pandemic restrictions at the Reel Inn at 18661 PCH. They say, "Please keep your distance," and "Face masks are mandatory." At this time, only takeout was allowed. A speech bubble from a fish artwork advertises, "Raw…

A Natural Progression surfboard has a rainbow logo

A Natural Progression surfboard, shaped by Robbie Dick, has a rainbow logo. It's for sale at Surfing Cowboys, with a note that says, "Is there another 1970s outfit that evokes a more local, Topanga, Malibu, Santa Monica vibe?"

A man runs with outstretched arms at Topanga Beach

A man runs with outstretched arms by arundo bamboo and the Topanga Beach groin.

A girl boogie-boards down a sand shelf at Topanga Beach

A girl rides a boogie board down a sand shelf at Topanga Beach.

Surfers shower at the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower

Women dance around a campfire at Topanga Beach

Women in white dresses perform a witchy dance around a campfire at night near the Topanga Beach bluff. Candles burn in the sand.

Campfires became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic in this hidden section of Topanga Beach.

High tide reaches a demolished Topanga Beach house

Sand erosion reveals wooden posts, the foundation of a demolished Topanga Beach house, near the lifeguard tower at high tide.

People build a shrine of candles and fruit at Topanga Beach

People sit around a campfire at night by the Topanga beach bluff. They play drums and guitar, and blow bubbles. A witchy leader wears a fur pelt with a hood and holds a staff. In the foreground, a shrine has been constructed of candles, string…

Boardriders surf shop is near Topanga Beach Dr.

The wave mural at Boardriders surf shop (18820 PCH) is near the Topanga Beach Dr. (Private) street sign. Century plants grow in between them.

Barbara Bonnie Freund painting, "I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night," 2022

Barbara Bonnie Freund's painting "I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night" shows red clouds at sunset above Topanga Beach and the Topanga Lagoon.

Graffiti memorializes Thomas Dube at Topanga Beach

Thomas Dube (1951-2022) is memorialized in the Topanga Beach parking lot by a shrine of flowers, a candle, and graffiti on a bench that says, "Love and Memory, Tom Dube, 4-22-02." A homeless surfer, he died from a heart attack in his van at Zeros on…

A car truck turns from PCH onto Topanga Canyon Blvd.

A car truck has a surfboard in the bed as it turns from PCH onto Topanga Canyon Blvd. on a foggy day. The Malibu Feed Bin and the 7-Eleven gas station are in the background.

Glassy waves break by trees and bushes on Topanga Beach

Glassy waves break by trees and bushes on an overcast day at Topanga Beach.

A helicopter lands on the Topanga Beach bluff

A medevac ambulance helicopter is silhouetted by the sun as it makes a dusty landing on the Topanga Beach bluff by a palm tree.

Surf Cam: Topanga Creek turns the ocean brown

Topanga Creek floods Topanga Beach during a rainstorm, turning the ocean brown.

Shannon McGiffert lies on the ruined Topanga Lagoon bridge

Graffiti says, "Topanga," on a ruined concrete wall from the 1923 Topanga Lagoon bridge. Shannon McGiffert lies on the edge.

Golden sunlight illuminates the clouds at Topanga Beach

A surfer casts a long shadow as he walks to the Topanga Beach point. Golden sunlight illuminates the clouds in the sky.

Frankie Seely hangs ten on a wave at Topanga Beach

Frankie Seely hangs ten while surfing a wave at Topanga Beach.

A homeless man feeds a chicken at the 7-Eleven gas station

A homeless man feeds a chicken that stands on a skateboard at the 7-Eleven gas station at 18541 PCH. His sign says, "Just need corn." In the background is the Malibu Feed Bin at 3931 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Firewood is stacked behind the car at right.…

A surfer walks by a demolished Topanga Beach house

A surfer walks by wooden posts in the sand, the foundation of a demolished Topanga Beach house, at sunset. The lifeguard tower is in the background.

Richard J. Oliver painting, "Las Tunas Beach House," 2021

Richard J. Oliver's painting sits on the artist's easel and looks nearly identical to the scene behind it. It shows arundo bamboo, trees, and bougainvillea flowers growing by the Las Tunas Beach house with solar panels on the roof at 18808 Topanga…

Surfers ride glassy waves at Topanga Beach

Surfers ride glassy waves at Topanga Beach. A surfer walks into the water.

Women dressed in white sit in a circle at Topanga Beach

Women dressed in white sit in a circle around flowers, crystals, sage, incense, a tambourine, a drum, a rattle, and a kalimba. Their wrists are wrapped in the string from a ball of twine that is held by the woman who leads the New Age ceremony. The…

Isabella Natarelli looks stoked on the Topanga Beach stairs

Isabella Natarelli has a stoked smile after surfing as she carries her surfboard up the Topanga Beach stairs.

People lie in a ceremonial circle at night at Topanga Beach

People lie under blankets in a circle at night near the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower. In the center is a lamp, and a circle of burning candles, where a person leads a witchy ceremony.

A woman sits on a swing at Topanga Beach

A woman sits on a swing behind the lifeguard's storage container at Topanga Beach.

People sit by a fire near under the moon at Topanga Beach

People burn candles and sit by a campfire near the Topanga Beach bluff on a witchy night with a full moon.

Campfires became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic in this hidden section of Topanga Beach.

Sand erosion exposed tiles from a Topanga Beach house

Sand erosion exposed ceramic tile art from a demolished Topanga Beach house.

"Topanga New Times" cover features Carolyn Day surfing

The "Topanga New Times" cover story, "Life Is Swell," about local surfers, features Carolyn Day surfing a wave at Topanga Beach.

Sand erosion reveals a demolished Topanga Beach house

Sand erosion reveals the foundation of a demolished Topanga Beach house.

Topanga Beach is crowded after COVID-19 restrictions end

Topanga Beach is crowded two months after Los Angeles County began offering COVID-19 vaccinations to all adults on April 10, 2020, and two weeks after lifting most pandemic restrictions on June 15, 2021. The new freedom allowed...

- No limit on…

Hoodie merch says, "I got my crabs at Wylie's Bait Shop"

A man wears merchandise from Wylie's Bait & Tackle at 18757 PCH. His hat says, "Established 1946." His hooded sweatshirt says, "I got my crabs at Wylie's Bait Shop, Malibu, California."

Panorama of Topanga Lane and The Rodeo Grounds, 2021

Panorama shows Topanga Lane and The Rodeo Grounds in Lower Topanga.

Wires are bundled on a telephone pole at Topanga Beach

A bundle of wires hangs from a telephone pole by a palm tree on PCH at Topanga Beach.

The wind tears an American flag in two at Topanga Beach

The wind tears an American flag into two pieces on the hill above PCH at Topanga Beach.

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.

A car fell from PCH onto Topanga Beach in a car accident

A Chevrolet Camaro hit a parked car on PCH, and the force of the collision knocked the Camaro off the road and onto Topanga Beach. A tow truck driver works to pull the Camaro back up again. The driver was hospitalized with slight injuries and would…

Topanga Lagoon Restoration plan shows a 200-foot bridge

The Topanga Lagoon Restoration plan, Alternative #2, preferred by the Resource Conservation District, is superimposed on an aerial view of Topanga Beach. It shows...

- A 200-foot, Topanga Lagoon bridge
- The removal of 11.7 acres of earth,…

Surf cam: A golden sunset lights Topanga Beach at low tide

A tow boogie pulls a hydrofoil surfer at Topanga Beach

A mortar and pestle were among the rocks at Topanga Beach

A mortar and pestle, possibly Native American artifacts, were found among the rocks at Topanga Beach.

A man watches surfers from the Topanga Beach bluff

A man watches surfers from the Topanga Beach bluff. A palm tree casts a shadow.

Los Angeles County partially ended their COVID-19 pandemic, beach closure on May 13, 2020. Lying or sitting on the sand was still prohibited. Walking was only allowed…

The sun glares above a bougainvillea at Topanga Beach

The sun glares above surfers and bougainvillea flowers at Topanga Beach.

Topanga Beach is empty on a nice day

Topanga Beach is empty on a nice day. Mastro's Ocean Club is in the background.

Los Angeles County partially ended their COVID-19 pandemic, beach closure on May 13, 2020. Lying or sitting on the sand was still prohibited. Walking was only allowed…

Surf cam: Surfers increased during the COVID-19 pandemic

Surfers crowd the water at Topanga Beach. A boat is at top. The number of new surfers notably increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A couple sits under a streetlight at Topanga Beach

A couple sits on a log at night at Topanga Beach. Behind them, picnic benches and the lifeguard's storage container are illuminated by a streetlight.

Los Angeles County partially ended their COVID-19 pandemic, beach closure on May 13, 2020. Lying…

A surfer rides a wave at sunset at Topanga Beach

A surfer rides a wave at sunset at Topanga Beach. The ocean and sky are orange.

Seagulls stand on Topanga Beach under a glare

Seagulls stand on Topanga Beach. People wade into the water. The sun glares at top. The lifeguard station is in the background.

Los Angeles County partially ended their COVID-19 pandemic, beach closure on May 13, 2020. Lying or sitting on the sand…

Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine serves take-out food only

Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine (18763 PCH) has a sign that says, "Open for takeout only," one week after a ban on outdoor dining. Two women order at a window by a neon sign at night. Barrels separate spaces for entering and exiting to enforce social…

People stand under a full moon at night at Topanga Beach

People take a group photo under a full moon at night at Topanga Beach. Two women wear hats. A man is shirtless. Mastro's Ocean Club is in the background.

Los Angeles County partially ended their COVID-19 pandemic, beach closure on May 13, 2020.…

Picnic tables stand on a gravel patio at the Reel Inn

Picnic tables with red-checkered tablecloths stand on a gravel patio at the Reel Inn seafood restaurant at 18661 PCH. Fish artwork and colorful surfboards decorate the fence. String lights illuminate the space. On the hill is Jerry Cibilich's…

A surfer waves to the full moon at night at Topanga Beach

Donny Wilson paddles out at Topanga Beach

Donny Wilson paddles behind a breaking wave at Topanga Beach. A surf photographer holds a water camera.

People dance with headphones at Topanga Beach

People wear headphones at a silent, "Ecstatic Dance" party at Topanga Beach. They wade into the ocean.

Los Angeles County partially ended their COVID-19 pandemic, beach closure on May 13, 2020. According to the new rules, lying or sitting on the…

Jon LaLanne stands in the Topanga Beach parking lot

Jon LaLanne points two fingers at the camera in the Topanga Beach parking lot. He wears a wetsuit and holds a Rip Curl surfboard with colorful stripes. The Topanga Beach Bus is at left.

Surf cam: Waves form lines at Topanga Beach

A man looks at the colorful sky at sunset at Topanga Beach

A man looks at the colorful sky at sunset while playing guitar. Other groups of people gather. A palm tree and the Topanga Beach bluff are in the background. Firewood is at left. Campfires became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic in this hidden…

Dev McCarthy submerges in the ocean at Topanga Beach

Dev McCarthy submerges in the ocean up to her shoulders. There is a glare on the water. Behind her is Mastro's Ocean Club.

Richard J. Oliver painting, "Topanga Lagoon," 2020

Richard J. Oliver's painting, "Topanga Lagoon," sits on the artist's easel and looks nearly identical to the scene behind it. A tree growing on Topanga Beach is reflected in the lagoon.

Elena Roche painting, "Las Tunas Beach House," 2020

Elena Roche's painting shows arundo bamboo, trees, and bougainvillea flowers growing by the Las Tunas Beach house with a flagpole at 18808 Topanga Beach Dr. The metal groin in the sand is the dividing line between the two beaches.

A metal sign marks the entrance to Topanga Beach, 3/3

A metal street sign marks the entrance to Topanga State Beach in 300 feet. It is covered in graffiti and stickers. The Topanga Ranch Motel and the Reel Inn are in the background.

Yoga class meets at Topanga Beach after COVID-19 closure

People in swimsuits hold a yoga pose by the picnic benches at Topanga Beach. Tents are in the background. Los Angeles County had lifted its Fourth of July, COVID-19 pandemic, beach closure on July 7, 2020 (five days earlier).

A surfer sits at Topanga Beach during the COVID-19 closure

Los Angeles County ordered a COVID-19 pandemic, beach closure from July 3 through July 6, 2020, because of a rise in infections. A shirtless surfer with a backwards baseball cap sits by a fennel plant at Topanga Beach. He watches someone defy the…

Surf cam: Surfers defy the COVID-19 beach closure

Los Angeles County ordered a COVID-19 pandemic, beach closure from July 3 through July 6, 2020, because of a rise in infections. Surfers defied the order to ride waves on Fourth of July weekend.

Palm trees grow by tents and the Topanga Lagoon

Palm trees grow by tents and a Topanga Beach house. The Topanga Lagoon is at left.

An overgrown path in The Rodeo Grounds has nasturtiums

An overgrown path in The Rodeo Grounds has nasturtium flowers.

State Parks eradicates arundo with tarps in Topanga Lane

State Parks attempts to eradicate arundo bamboo (a non-native plant) by blocking the sunlight with tarps in Topanga Lane.

A yellow gate bars the entrance to The Rodeo Grounds

A yellow gate on Topanga Canyon Blvd. bars the dirt road and entrance to The Rodeo Grounds after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks. The 7-Eleven gas station is in the background.

Nasturtium flowers grow in The Rodeo Grounds

A sign found in The Rodeo Grounds says, "Rancho Rodeo"

An old sign with a horseshoe says, "Rancho Rodeo." It hung on the Casser family's house at 3703 Rodeo Grounds. Before that, it hung on the Pascal family's house at 3707 Rodeo Grounds. It may date back to the rodeos that were held there in the 1920s.

Bill Flaxman stands in the creek bed at Brookside

Bill Flaxman stands with a walking stick in the Topanga Creek bed at Brookside.

Grass grows over an abandoned Jacuzzi at Brookside

Grass grows over an abandoned Jacuzzi at Brookside after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks. The dirty water is brown and full of debris.

Bill Flaxman stands under a big tree in Brookside

Bill Flaxman stands with a walking stick under a big tree in Brookside.

Cynthia Dial's house at 3948 Topanga Lane is gone

Cactus and a palm tree grow by a concrete picnic bench. Cynthia Dial's house at 3948 Topanga Lane (The Snake Pit) is gone after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks.

Rusted car parts lie in the grass in Topanga Lane, 3/3

Rusted car parts and a street sign lie in the grass in Topanga Lane. Graffiti says, "Full-time meltdown."

Rusted car parts lie in the grass in Topanga Lane, 2/3

Rusted car parts lie in the grass in Topanga Lane during the pandemic. Graffiti says, "COVID-19" and "The harsh reality 2020."

Marlies Armand's house at 3833 Topanga Lane is gone

Nasturtium flowers grow by a sycamore tree hollow at the former site of Marlies Armand's house at 3833 Topanga Lane after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks.

A tree branch grows horizontal over a path in Topanga Lane

A tree branch grows horizontal over a path through the grass in Topanga Lane.

The Wisdoms' house at 3948 Topanga Lane is gone, 2/2

Cactus, palm trees, and bushes grow at the site of the Wisdom family's former house at 3948 Topanga Lane (The Snake Pit ) after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks.

Wing surfers ride hydrofoil boards at Topanga Beach

Wing surfers ride hydrofoil boards by surfers at Topanga Beach. Santa Monica is in the background.

James Mathers painting, "Phantom of the Rodeo Grounds"

James Mathers's painting "Phantom of the Rodeo Grounds" shows the artist returning to the site of his former home at 3726 Rodeo Grounds at night after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks. Nasturtium flowers and arundo bamboo…

Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 2020

Aerial view of an unusually empty Topanga Beach shows the bluff, the Topanga Lagoon, the lifeguard truck, the beach access mat, the lifeguard tower, and PCH on Fourth of July weekend. Los Angeles County ordered a COVID-19 pandemic, beach closure from…

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