Browse Items (2575 total)

  • Collection: Lower Topanga

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

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

A man runs with outstretched arms at Topanga Beach

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

Bacteria levels exceed State standards at Topanga Beach

Topanga Beach surfers ride a wave by a sign that says, "Warning! Bacteria levels exceed State standards. Ocean water may cause illness. No swimming."

A seal by the showers looks at a surfer at Topanga Beach

A baby seal by the showers looks at a surfer wearing a wetsuit and a hood at Topanga Beach.

Topanga Creek passes nasturtium flowers in Lower Topanga

Topanga Creek passes nasturtium flowers, a wrecked car, and a fallen brick stairway in Lower Topanga.

A wave breaks by a red bougainvillea

A wave breaks by a red bougainvillea at sunset at Topanga Beach,

Customers read chalkboard menus at the Reel Inn

Customers read chalkboard menus on the wall of the Reel Inn seafood restaurant. Historical signs say, "No smoking, no spitting," and, "Pete's Seafood." A paddleboard lies on the rafters.

The end of the rainbow falls on the Reel Inn

The end of the rainbow falls on the Reel Inn seafood restaurant and its neon sign.

The entrance to the Reel Inn seafood restaurant

The entrance to the Reel Inn seafood restaurant has a squid painting and a surfboard "Welcome" sign on the wall.

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.

Oasis Imports is burned by the Palisades Fire, 2/2

Fountains and stone statues of Buddha and Budai remain standing after Oasis Imports burns down in the Palisades Fire, at 3931 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd., at the intersection with PCH.

EPA creates toxic-debris sorting station at the Motel, 1/2

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) workers prepare the flat space, where the Topanga Ranch Motel burned in the Palisades Fire, to be a toxic-debris sorting station.

The Palisades Fire burned a street sign at Topanga Beach

The Palisades Fire burned a disabled parking street sign at Topanga Beach.

Las Tunas Beach house La Esperanza burns, 1/2

Jason Ventress's Las Tunas Beach house, La Esperanza ("The Hope"), burns in the Palisades Fire at 18862 PCH. It formerly belonged to actors Greta Garbo, June Havoc, Fred MacMurray, and screenwriter Frank Pierson.

Coliene Rentmeester sits in her Rodeo Grounds house

Coliene Rentmeester wears rainboots and sits by framed artworks in her house at 3715 Rodeo Grounds.

Coliene Rentmeester walks her dog at Topanga Ranch Motel

Coliene Rentmeester holds her dog Danya on a leash at the Topanga Ranch Motel at 18711 PCH.

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.

James Mathers's art studio is vandalized 1/4

James Mathers's art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds is vandalized with graffiti during State Parks' eviction of Lower Topanga. A sculpture by Jean-Baptiste Fourault stands at left. A painting by Norton Wisdom lies on the ground at right.

Yellow lanterns hang in the chaparral in Lower Topanga

Caltrans hung yellow plastic lanterns in the chaparral to detect sliding in the hillside in Lower Topanga.

Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 2020, 1/4

Aerial view of Topanga Beach shows Boardriders Malibu, Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine, Wiley's Bait & Tackle, Rosenthal Wine Bar, and the lifeguard tower.

Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 2020, 2/4

Aerial view of Topanga Beach shows the Topanga Lagoon and the lifeguard tower.

Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 2020, 3/4

Aerial view of Topanga Beach shows the Topanga Lagoon and the lifeguard tower.

Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 2020, 4/4

Aerial view of the intersection at Topanga Canyon Blvd. and PCH shows Oasis Imports, Malibu Feed Bin, the Topanga Beach Pump Station, and the 7-Eleven gas station. Topanga Lane and The Rodeo Grounds are at the base of the hill at left.

Aerial view of the entrance to Topanga Canyon, 1983

Aerial view of the entrance to Topanga Canyon shows PCH, Topanga Canyon Blvd., the Malibu Feed Bin, the gas station, Topanga Lane, The Rodeo Grounds, the Topanga Beach Pump Station, and Sunset Mesa.

Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 1980s

Aerial view of Topanga Beach shows Las Tunas Beach houses, the Topanga Lagoon, the lifeguard tower, the Chart House, PCH, and the entrance to Topanga Canyon.

Alyssa Crosby painting, "Reel Inn," 2024

Alyssa Crosby's painting "Reel Inn" shows the seafood restaurant's neon sign. A pun on the blackboard reads, "Here's looking at you squid."

A boulder fell on Topanga Canyon Blvd., 2005, 1/4

A 300-ton boulder fell on Topanga Canyon Blvd. in a mudslide on January 9, 2005, about 1.5 miles from the beach. Photos of this "rock star" appeared in the news around the world.

Anahita King painting, "PCH Closed at Tuna Canyon," 2005

Anahita King's painting "PCH Closed at Tuna Canyon" shows Ginger Snips, Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine, Wylie's Bait & Tackle, Something's Fishy sushi restaurant, The Money House, and the Topanga Ranch Motel.

Anahita King painting, "Summer (Malibu Feed Bin)," 2005

Anahita King's painting "Summer (Malibu Feed Bin)" also shows Oasis Imports.

Anahita King painting, "Between Seasons (Feed Bin)," 2006

Anahita King's painting "Between Seasons (Malibu Feed Bin)" also shows Oasis Imports.

An embroidered denim skirt by Bunny

Surfer Anne Fuchs ("Bunny") was known for her embroidered designs like the ones on this denim skirt.

An embroidered denim shirt by Bunny

Surfer Anne Fuchs ("Bunny") was known for her embroidered designs like the ones on this denim shirt.

Siblings Joey, Felix, Nicky, and Liza Saenz row a boat

Siblings Joey, Felix, Nicky, and Liza Saenz row a rowboat on the sand in front of their Topanga Beach house.

Topanga Bombers group photo, 1/3

Topanga Bombers surf club members pile on top of each other at Topanga Beach.

Juan de la Cruz Saenz screams. Bart "Box" Loy stands in front. Chuck Gates and Micky Mills are behind them. John Roberts presses down Denny "Wally" Waldman's head.

Topanga Bombers group photo, 2/3

Topanga Bombers surf club members goof off at Topanga Beach.

Danny Bernstein (cut off on the left side), Denny "Wally" Waldman, Bart "Box" Loy (unknown person behind him), Juan de la Cruz Saenz, Woody Woodward, John Roberts grabbing Michael…

Topanga Bombers group photo, 3/3

Topanga Bombers surf club members flex their muscles at Topanga Beach.

Pete Stein, Chuck Gates, Terry Flanagan, Nicky Saenz in front, Denny "Wally" Waldman, Eddie Saenz (lying down), Bart Loy, Timmy Saenz.

Denny Waldman: "The unidentified guy…

Bob, Jim, Cathy, Liza, and Dozy at a Topanga Beach house

Bob Feigel, Jim Fitzpatrick , Cathy Fitzpatrick, Liza Saenz, and Alden Doseberg ("Dozy") take a group photo at the Fitzpatrick family's Topanga Beach house.

An old surfboard hangs on a driftwood structure

An old surfboard hangs on a driftwood structure at Topanga Beach

Rodger Horsey shapes a surfboard

Rodger Horsey wears a surgical mask after shaping a surfboard. He is covered in foam dust.

The Yellow House was burned by surfers, 1/6

The Yellow House was burned by surfers to spare it the indignity of being bulldozed during the eviction of Topanga Beach by State Parks. A graffitied pillar says, "Free Tanya," referencing the convicted bank robber Patty Hearst and the name she used…

The Yellow House was burned by surfers, 2/6

The Yellow House was scavenged and 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 a drawing of a wave and the words "Last Tango," "Get Down,"…

George Trafton, Shane McMahon, Paul Lovas, Johnny Nation

Surfers George Trafton, Shane McMahon, Paul Lovas, and Johnny Nation sit on driftwood in front of The Yellow House. Paul is the author of "Topanga Beach Experience: 1960s-70s" (Brass Tacks Press, 2011). The lights on the balcony were used for surfing…

Robbie Dick prays on a circle of surfboards

Shaper Robbie Dick prays while lying on his surfboards, which have been arranged in a circle like flower petals or a mandala, in his yard at 3843 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Robbie Dick holds a surfboard in his shaping room

Robbie Dick holds a surfboard with an off-center stripe in his shaping room at 3843 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

A man walks across the Rodeo Grounds bridge in the rain

A man wearing a pancho walks across the Rodeo Grounds bridge in the rain. Soon Topanga Creek would flood and wash the bridge away.

Grant Rohloff edits a surf film in The Rodeo Grounds

Surf filmmaker Grant Rohloff works on an editing machine at his house at 3719 Rodeo Grounds. On the wall are his photos of big waves in Hawaii.

Robbie Dick shapes a surfboard in Lower Topanga

Robbie Dick wears a face mask while shaping a surfboard in his shaping room at 3843 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Blue Juice plays at Lone Star Saloon in Pacific Palisades

George Trafton, Don MacVicar, Rick Dano, and J. Murf perform as the surf-rock band Blue Juice at Lone Star Saloon in Pacific Palisades (Sunset Blvd. and PCH).

Jeff Ort plays drums with Blue Juice at Topanga Beach, 1/2

Jeff Ort (shirtless) plays drums with the band Blue Juice in The Yellow House at 18674 Topanga Beach Rd.

Jeff Ort plays drums with Blue Juice at Topanga Beach, 2/2

Jeff Ort (shirtless) plays drums with the band Blue Juice in The Yellow House at 18674 Topanga Beach Rd.

The Topanga Beach Bus picks up a surfer and others

The Topanga Beach Bus picks up a surfer and others in front of AmeriGas Propane at 525 S Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Lisa Etlinger and Robbie Dick hang out at George's Market

People hang out by the phone booths at George's Market. Lisa Etlinger wears a towel and a Topanga Beach Ranchers Association T-shirt. Robbie Dick is shirtless and wears trunks. David Baker is partially in frame at right. The others are unknown.

J. Murf and George Trafton play in the band Blue Juice

J. Murf and George Trafton play guitars in the band Blue Juice at The Yellow House at Topanga Beach at night. Murf holds a cigarette.

Surfboards and catamarans at Topanga Beach

Surfboards lean against the bulkhead in front of Eddie Wingard's Topanga Beach house. Catamaran sailboats crowd the deck of the neighbor's house. Arundo grows between the houses.

Beach party at Eddie Wingard's house, 1/5

Party guests eat food on a catamaran next to Eddie Wingard's house on Topanga Beach.

ON THE FRONT PONTOON:
John "Crumpet" Dabrowski sits at right.

ON THE BACK PONTOON:
George Trafton, Woody Woodard, and Lori Shellist sit at left.

George…

Bernice Bantilan, Paulina Wingard, Tim Wingard

Bernice Bantilan, her sister Paulina Wingard, Paulina's brother-in-law Tim Wingard, and an unknown woman sit in front of Eddie Wingard's Topanga Beach house.

Beach party at Eddie Wingard's house, 2/5

Party guests gather around a fussball table in front of Eddie Wingard's Topanga Beach house. A paddleboard hangs from the second story.

Johnny Nation in a sweater walks away at left.
Grant Rohloff in a white button-up shirt is to the left of…

At catamaran is parked on a crowded Topanga Beach

At catamaran is parked on a crowded Topanga Beach. In the foreground are surfboards. In the background is The Chart House restaurant.

Catamarans line up in front of The Chart House

Catamarans line up in front of The Chart House restaurant to race in a regatta at Topanga Beach.

Aurora Glassock and Matt Lasky

Aurora Glassock and Matt Lasky stand in front of a catamaran on Topanga Beach. In the background is The Chart House restaurant.

George Trafton sits in front of Topanga Beach houses

Surfer George Trafton wears trunks in front of a palm tree, arundo, and Topanga Beach houses. A woman in a bikini walks by.

Mike Perry carries his surfboard at Topanga Beach

Mike Perry carries his surfboard by a sign advertising the Eternal Valley Memorial Park & Mortuary at Topanga Beach.

Davey Hilton holds onto his surfboard at Topanga Beach

Davey Hilton's hat covers his eyes while he presses his T-shirt against his surfboard at Topanga Beach.

Giles Douglas carries a surfboard on Topanga Beach

Giles carries a surfboard on Topanga Beach. A dog follows behind.

Rick talks to a woman by Topanga Beach houses

Rick talks to a woman by Topanga Beach houses. In the background, a low tide reveals rocks.

Carl Barlow stands on the deck of The Yellow House

Carl Barlow stands on the deck of The Yellow House at Topanga Beach. A wetsuit dries on the balcony. A red surfboard stands upright beside a clothesline. Driftwood and rocks border the beach houses.

Aurora Glassock visits friends at 3983 Old Malibu Road

Aurora Glassock (center) takes a group photo with friends on the porch of the house at 3983 Old Malibu Road. Giles Douglas shouts at her. Kim Lester wears a Hawaiian shirt. John "Crumpet" Dabrowski wears yellow shirt. David Allard holds a…

Men play volleyball by Topanga Beach houses

Men play volleyball at Topanga Beach. Mike Shultz lived in the first house. Philly Brooks and Franny McCartney lived in the second house. Merritt Van Sant lived in the green trailer.

George Trafton, Shane McMahon, and Rodger Horsey

Surfers George Trafton, Shane McMahon, and Rodger Horsey stand by the ice machine at George's Market, across from Topanga Beach

Unknown, Crumpet, and Jeff Miller sit on beach chairs

An unknown woman, John "Crumpet" Dabrowski, and Jeff Miller sit on beach chairs at Topanga Beach with a dog.

Lisa Etlinger and Holly Brooks eat chips on Topanga Beach

Lisa Etlinger and Holly Brooks in bikinis eat Fritos corn chips on Topanga Beach by surfboards.

Jarnell Wingard and Aurora Glassock

Jarnell Wingard and Aurora Glassock stand by Jarnell's Topanga Beach house.

Davey Hilton and Woody Woodward stand by arundo

Davey Hilton and Woody Woodward stand by arundo at Topanga Beach.

Crumpet, Jeff Miller, and John Fowler play monkeys

John "Crumpet" Dabrowski, Jeff Miller, and John Fowler reenact the Japanese proverb, "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," at Topanga Beach. The proverb is often depicted with three monkeys.

Woody Woodward carries a fishing pole at Topanga Beach

Woody Woodward carries a fishing pole as he walks by a catamaran at Topanga Beach.

George Trafton looks into his truck camper

Surfer George Trafton looks through the open door of his truck camper by Topanga Beach houses.

Woody Woodward, Shane McMahon, and Lisa Etlinger

Woody Woodward, Shane McMahon, and Lisa Etlinger sit by a Topanga Beach house. Woody smokes a cigarette.

Lizanne Strode and John Fowler sit by arundo

Lizanne Strode and John Fowler sit by arundo on Topanga Beach, wearing bathing suits. John smokes a cigarette.

Peter Townend and Allen Sarlo surf at Topanga Beach

Peter Townend ("PT") and Allen Sarlo (the "Wave Killer") surf together at Topanga Beach.

George Trafton, J. Murf, and Minty play as Blue Juice

George Trafton (guitar), J. Murf (vocals, guitar), and Minty (saxophone) perform shirtless in the surf-rock band Blue Juice at the Roman Inn in Santa Monica.

Doug Avery and Craig Halley appear to be at a party

Topanga Beach surfers Doug Avery and Craig Halley appear to be at a party.

Aurora Glassock and Ed Weber lean on each other

Aurora Glassock and Ed Weber lean on each other at a Topanga Beach house.

James Mathers stands in his Rodeo Grounds art studio.

James Mathers stands shirtless among the paintings in his art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. He wears a chain necklace.

A hippie gives the peace sign in The Snake Pit

A hippie gives the peace sign while balancing a piece of driftwood on a brick foundation in The Snake Pit. She wears a floral skirt that's open at the sides.

People and children gather at a house in The Snake Pit

People and children gather at a house in The Snake Pit. A sign says, "Dead End Street." Two socks hang from a clothesline.

A woman sits in a trailer in The Snake Pit

A woman smokes a cigarette in the doorway of a trailer in The Snake Pit.

Two girls sit in a colorful trailer in The Snake PIt

Two girls sit in the doorway of engraver Bernie Consten's colorful trailer in The Snake PIt.

A man looks through the window of a house in the Snake Pit

A man looks through the window of a house in the Snake Pit that has an Indian flag, a "Pacific Coast Highway" sign, and a curtain covering the door.

Two Persian carpets adorn a house in the Snake Pit

Two Persian carpets adorn a house in the Snake Pit. The word "Marijuana" is written on a barrel.

A man holds a kitten in a house in The Snake Pit

A man holds a kitten in a house in The Snake Pit. He lies on a Persian carpet, on large pillows, beside a wood-burning stove.

Gary Munsinger lies on a hill overlooking The Snake Pit

Gary Munsinger and his dog lie on a hill overlooking houses in The Snake Pit. The back of the Topanga Ranch Motel is at top right.