Surfers sit on the porch of David H. Stern's beach house

Surfers sit on the porch of David H. Stern's beach house

David H. Stern (co-author of the "Surfing Guide to Southern California," 1963) rented this Topanga Beach house in February 1962. Sitting on the porch, with their surfboards, are lifeguard Larry Kraus (in speedos), and Jason Kniss's father (smoking).

The sign in front says, "Esterhaus Makai." David was a pianist and an aficionado of Joseph Haydn's music. "Esterhaus" was an homage to Haydn's patron, Nikolaus I, Prince Esterházy, and a humorous reference to the Prince's ornate palaces, which were the antithesis of Topanga houses.

He named his previous house on Topanga Canyon Blvd. "Esterhaus Mauka." "Mauka" is the Hawaiian word for "mountain," while "makai" is the word for "ocean." Since on an island there are only two sides, ocean and mountain, these words are used for directions.

Bob Hite, from the band Canned Heat, later lived in this house.

1962

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Martha Stern