Topanga Beach Surf Guide

Surf spot guide

Ideal Surf Conditions

Swell Direction

SSW, SW, WSW, W.

Wind

N to NE.

Surf Height

Waist high to double overhead.

Tide

Medium.

Topanga Beach Surf Guide

A very visible long, right point at the base of Topanga Canyon. Topanga can be a real workable wave with plenty of challenging sections, but it never matches the shape of its cousin, Malibu. Topanga will take any swell, but it's best on a big west. During the huge El Nino winter of 1982-'83, local Donnie Wilson picked off a ride from Topanga that connected all the way past Chart House -- a distance of more than 300 yards.


LOCAL RESOURCES: Los Angeles Surfrider | Heal the Bay

Local Vibe

WelcomingIntimidating

Reasonably intense.

Crowd Factor

MellowHeavy

Since it's one of the closest pointbreaks to downtown L.A., it's rarely empty.

Spot Rating

PoorPerfect

Gets good on a solid W swell.

Shoulder Burn

LightExhausting

It takes a lot of swell to make Topanga a lot of work, so the shoulder burn is typically low. Unless you factor in navigating the crowd.

Water Quality

CleanDirty

Close to LA, but worst after a rain.

Hazards

Car rip-offs.

Access

There's a big parking lot that overlooks the break.

Bottom

Cobblestone.

Best Season

June-February

Do you have local knowledge about Topanga Beach?

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