| Revision as of 06:34, 14 January 2025 editAugmented Seventh (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users14,218 edits Topanga BeachTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit Disambiguation links added | Latest revision as of 06:07, 17 January 2025 edit undoAugmented Seventh (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users14,218 edits →Facilities: Unnecessary wordTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit | ||
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| {{short description|Public seashore, Los Angeles County, California}} | {{short description|Public seashore, Los Angeles County, California}} | ||
| '''Topanga Beach''' is a |
'''Topanga Beach''' is a state beach at 18700 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265, situated at the mouth of ], approximately half way between Santa Monica and Malibu;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beaches.lacounty.gov/topanga-beach/|title=Topanga Beach|date=October 7, 2016}}</ref> it is known for its closeness by automobile to the ], its windsurfing and SCUBA diving, and its reputation for welcoming a ]. It consistently ranks among the healthiest beaches for clean water conditions in Los Angeles County.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/safety/beaches.htm|title=Beaches | Los Angeles County Department of Public Health - Environmental Health|website=www.publichealth.lacounty.gov}}</ref> | ||
| == History == | == History == | ||
| The beach's name is taken from the nearby unincorporated town of ] that likely comes from a blending of the ] and the ] |
The beach's name is taken from the nearby unincorporated town of ] that likely comes from a blending of the ] and the ]; ''Topaa'nga'' has the common root, {{transl|mis|topaa'.}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=John R. |title=Ethnohistoric Overview for the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park Cultural Resources Inventory Project |url=http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/21299/files/sspshp%20ethnohistory-complete.pdf |access-date=July 19, 2020}}</ref> The ] considered the area a sacred, economic, and cultural meeting place for tribes all along the coast. | ||
| In the early 1900s, the area was a Japanese fishing village. Later, ] owned much of the property and turned it into a weekend getaway spot. The area changed hands between speculators as highways improved. The ], a wealthy private club in downtown Los Angeles, was a prominent landowner during the 40s and 50s who allowed remarkably low rents on both sides of Pacific Coast Highway. During the 1960s and 1970s, the area was an artist surf enclave.<ref name="lifeasapoet2002">Capra, Pablo. . Brass Tacks Press, 2002.</ref> ] evicted residents who lived directly on Topanga Beach in the late '70s. In 2001, the entire area was sold to California State Parks. | |||
| ⚫ | On its southeast side, Topanga is bordered by ]. | ||
| ⚫ | On its southeast side, Topanga Beach is bordered by ]. On its northerly side, it is bordered by ]. | ||
| In 2025, Topanga Beach was affected by the ].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Fire Burns to the Beach |url=https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/fires-southern-california-gusty-winds}}</ref> | |||
| == Features == | == Features == | ||
| Topanga Beach is protected by the Lifeguard unit of the ],<ref> |
Topanga Beach is protected by the Lifeguard unit of the ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fire.lacounty.gov/Lifeguards/Lifeguards.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027230509/http://fire.lacounty.gov/Lifeguards/Lifeguards.asp|url-status=dead|title=LA County Lifeguards|archivedate=October 27, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fire.lacounty.gov/|title=County of Los Angeles Fire Department|date=December 20, 2024|website=County of Los Angeles Fire Department}}</ref> with 3 lifeguard towers on the sands. | ||
| Similar to other beaches with good surf, Topanga has its share of ].<ref> |
Similar to other beaches with good surf, Topanga has its share of ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fire.lacounty.gov/Lifeguards/BchSftyRipCurrents.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027233437/http://fire.lacounty.gov/Lifeguards/BchSftyRipCurrents.asp|url-status=dead|title=Rip Currents|archivedate=October 27, 2007}}</ref> Visitors are encouraged not to swim or surf during times the lifeguard towers are not open. | ||
| Topanga Beach, at and below tide, is mostly ], or "cobble", making common beach activities such as wading in the water difficult. | |||
| With optimum wind conditions nearly daily in the late afternoon, Topanga Beach is popular for ]. | With optimum wind conditions nearly daily in the late afternoon, Topanga Beach is popular for ]. | ||
| == Facilities == | == Facilities == | ||
| *Topanga Beach can be accessed directly from PCH. Parking is available in a |
*Topanga Beach can be accessed directly from Pacific Coast Highway (]). Parking is available in a fee parking lot. Some additional parking is available on the adjacent PCH. Spaces available are sufficient for the recreational needs of the area. Electric vehicle chargers are available. | ||
| * Bodyboarding | * Bodyboarding | ||
| * Bodysurfing | |||
| * Kiteboarding | * Kiteboarding | ||
| * Outdoor showers (cold) | * Outdoor showers (cold) | ||
| * Restrooms | * Restrooms | ||
| * SCUBA diving | |||
| * Surfing | * Surfing | ||
| * Swimming; lifeguard on duty during daylight hours | |||
| * Walkway (wheelchair accessible) | * Walkway (wheelchair accessible) | ||
| * Windsurfing | * Windsurfing | ||
| == Film and television filming location == | == Film and television filming location == | ||
| With its proximity to the film and television industry in ], Topanga Beach has been occasionally used as a filming location. | With its proximity to the film and television industry in ], Topanga Beach has been occasionally used as a filming location. Notable films include: | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| ==Gallery== | |||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| {{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
| * | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 06:07, 17 January 2025
Public seashore, Los Angeles County, CaliforniaTopanga Beach is a state beach at 18700 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265, situated at the mouth of Topanga Canyon, approximately half way between Santa Monica and Malibu; it is known for its closeness by automobile to the San Fernando Valley, its windsurfing and SCUBA diving, and its reputation for welcoming a bohemian lifestyle. It consistently ranks among the healthiest beaches for clean water conditions in Los Angeles County.
History
The beach's name is taken from the nearby unincorporated town of Topanga that likely comes from a blending of the Chumash language and the Tongva language; Topaa'nga has the common root, topaa'. The Chumash people considered the area a sacred, economic, and cultural meeting place for tribes all along the coast.
In the early 1900s, the area was a Japanese fishing village. Later, William Randolph Hearst owned much of the property and turned it into a weekend getaway spot. The area changed hands between speculators as highways improved. The Los Angeles Athletic Club, a wealthy private club in downtown Los Angeles, was a prominent landowner during the 40s and 50s who allowed remarkably low rents on both sides of Pacific Coast Highway. During the 1960s and 1970s, the area was an artist surf enclave. California State Parks evicted residents who lived directly on Topanga Beach in the late '70s. In 2001, the entire area was sold to California State Parks.
On its southeast side, Topanga Beach is bordered by Will Rogers State Beach. On its northerly side, it is bordered by Las Tunas Beach.
In 2025, Topanga Beach was affected by the Palisades Fire.
Features
Topanga Beach is protected by the Lifeguard unit of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, with 3 lifeguard towers on the sands.
Similar to other beaches with good surf, Topanga has its share of rip currents. Visitors are encouraged not to swim or surf during times the lifeguard towers are not open.
Topanga Beach, at and below tide, is mostly worn gravel, or "cobble", making common beach activities such as wading in the water difficult.
With optimum wind conditions nearly daily in the late afternoon, Topanga Beach is popular for kitesurfing.
Facilities
- Topanga Beach can be accessed directly from Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Parking is available in a fee parking lot. Some additional parking is available on the adjacent PCH. Spaces available are sufficient for the recreational needs of the area. Electric vehicle chargers are available.
- Bodyboarding
- Kiteboarding
- Outdoor showers (cold)
- Restrooms
- SCUBA diving
- Surfing
- Walkway (wheelchair accessible)
- Windsurfing
Film and television filming location
With its proximity to the film and television industry in Los Angeles, Topanga Beach has been occasionally used as a filming location. Notable films include:
Gallery
References
- "Topanga Beach". October 7, 2016.
- "Beaches | Los Angeles County Department of Public Health - Environmental Health". www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.
- Johnson, John R. "Ethnohistoric Overview for the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park Cultural Resources Inventory Project" (PDF). Retrieved July 19, 2020.
- Capra, Pablo. Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon. Brass Tacks Press, 2002.
- "Fire Burns to the Beach".
- "LA County Lifeguards". Archived from the original on October 27, 2007.
- "County of Los Angeles Fire Department". County of Los Angeles Fire Department. December 20, 2024.
- "Rip Currents". Archived from the original on October 27, 2007.