Plans for a large restoration project that could negatively affect the surf at Topanga Point are being developed now.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, along with other agencies, are developing an expansive restoration project for Topanga Lagoon. While Friends of Topanga Point agrees with the benefits of restoration, elements of those plans include an expanded lagoon and doubling or tripling the length of the PCH bridge, removal and relocation of tons of fill, and potential movement of the creek mouth.

These changes represent a potential threat to the existing quality of this point break. As surfers, we have firsthand experience with degraded wave quality at Malibu caused by changed outfall and failure to prioritize surfing as a primary restoration concern.

The mission of FOTP is to give surfers a strong voice in the process, make wave quality a primary stated goal, and ensure that the wave at Topanga remains unaltered.

Our Organization

Friends of Topanga Point (FOTP) is a stakeholder coalition that seeks to ensure that the lagoon project is designed in a manner which preserves the important recreational resource that Topanga represents for surfers.

Preserving the wave at Topanga Point for current and future generations

  • Topanga is one of the few high-quality surfing point breaks in Southern California and the closest to 10 million Los Angeles residents; it is thus an invaluable resource offering quality access for thousands of people to our official state sport.

  • Elements of the project potentially include expanding Topanga lagoon from its current size of approximately one acre to as much as seven to ten acres in order to improve wildlife habitat; significantly lengthening the existing PCH bridge to accommodate the wider lagoon; addressing erosion from sea level rise; moving the existing lifeguard headquarters to a more inland location; and more. (See https://www.rcdsmm.org/resources/topanga-lagoon-restoration/)

  • FOTP is here to ensure that our voices are heard in the restoration process.

  • FOTP seeks to partner with involved agencies to ensure that Topanga Point continues to be a unique and valuable recreational resource for generations to come.

  • A most westerly rivermouth location is essential for the sand and cobblestone replenishment.