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GhostFingers · Los Angeles County · Malibu

Topanga

Cobblestone and reef right point at the mouth of Topanga Canyon, where PCH meets Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Faces south. Picks up south energy that wraps past the point and Santa Monica Bay's filtered west swell.

Malibu Famous spot

Spot intel

Parking

Roadside parking on PCH and along the lower end of Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Paid lot at Topanga State Beach across PCH, about $12 day-use. Car break-ins are regular.

Crowd

Stacked. Locals run the lineup. The crew runs deep on south swells.

Beginner-friendly?

No.

Cobblestone-and-reef bottom, fast inside section, and a tight priority hierarchy. Not a beginner wave.

Famous for

Topanga in the Santa Monica Bay. A right-hand cobblestone reef at the mouth of Topanga Canyon, a long-running LA-area soul-surf spot and one of the wave breaks featured in "Big Wednesday."

Lineup etiquette

Priority on a point goes to the deepest rider. Shoulder-hopping a wave already taken from the peak is the standard call-out.

When it's on

South through southwest groundswell on the summer side, wrapped west swell filtered through Santa Monica Bay on the winter side. Light offshore from the north through northeast. Mid to lower tide window.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
34.0375, -118.5834
Shore faces
SSW
Region
Malibu, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Topanga?
Topanga works best on a SSW to WSW swell.
How big does Topanga need to be?
Topanga is best in the 3-8ft range on a 12-18s period.
What are the best conditions at Topanga?
Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1.5-4ft.
Where is Topanga?
Topanga is a boulder point right in Malibu, California. The beach faces SSW.
Does GhostFingers forecast Topanga?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Topanga with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, summer 2026.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching summer 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

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