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
Ability Level
Intermediate - Advanced
Intermediate to advanced.
Local Vibe
Doable
Reasonably intense.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Since it's one of the closest pointbreaks to downtown L.A., it's rarely empty.
Spot Rating
Fun
Gets good on a solid W swell.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
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
Fair
Close to LA, but worst after a rain.
Hazards
Car rip-offs.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Fish, Funboard, Longboard, Bodyboard
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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