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    The Mountain Mermaid

    4.8 (66 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Services - The Mountain Mermaid

    Venue rental

    The Mountain Mermaid Photos

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    Reviews With Photos

    Amanda O.

    Butterfly day was fun. However, I feel bad for the butterflies.. they don't let them free, and the cross traffic within the exhibit was destructive towards the beautiful bugs. A lot of butterflies had torn wings and were dying on the floor.. they did not have milkweed or any other flower that the flying fairies like to eat. The Mountain Mermaid itself is beautiful and fun, tho!

    Photography by The Shalom Imaginative
    Jamie W.

    If I could leave 10 stars I would! Where do I begin?! When my fiancé (now husband) and I first got engaged we had looked at several properties and then we stumbled upon The Mountain Mermaid and fell truly in LOVE! We weren't originally planning on having a full on wedding until we stepped on to the magical grounds of the mermaid. Besides being located in the heart of the tranquil mountains of Topanga surrounded by nature including monarch butterflies and peacocks, the owner Bill has put his heart and soul into every little detail of the property, creating the most beautiful home you can imagine (inside and out)! It's truly a special place! In addition, Bill is a big plus! We got married this past weekend on April 20th, the weekend of the Libra Pink Full Moon and I have to say that hands down it was the best day of our lives, and honestly I can't think of one thing that went wrong! Most of that I have to Thank Bill for who was very transparent, honest, EXTREMELY accommodating, and very communicative, understanding and was just a pleasure to work with all around. Not only is Bill a very creative individual (which explains why the mountain mermaid is as marvelous as it is), he is a kind and sweet, generous human that really cares about the environment! Thank you Bill for sharing the mermaid with us, working with us and giving us the most magical, memorable day of our lives! This breathtaking property makes you believe in love and honestly, when you walk on to it you can feel it! Whether you're getting married, having a dinner party or birthday, doing a photoshoot or film, want a nice wkend get a way (The Mountain Mermaid properties are available on Airbnb) THIS IS THE PLACE! Seriously, I will now find any reason to celebrate at The Mountain Mermaid!

    Rear gardens and pool
    JC V.

    Recently went up to scout the Mermaid for a photoshoot, and my mind was officially blown at the beauty and charm of this location. Every corner, every direction I turned was a photograph waiting to be taken. With a little imagination, the grounds can offer a huge visual variety of environments and eras...French garden, Spanish hacienda, tropical bungalow, etc. It is eclectic without being trashy and elegant without being stuffy. I have never been so excited to shoot at a location. But then, most locations aren't the Mermaid. Highly recommended.

    outside circular suspended tree day bed
    kathryn N.

    We had our executive team retreat at Mountain Mermaid this past weekend. It was absolutely magical to say the least. We spent the entire day by the pool with organic non-gmo raw vegan catered food occasionally escaping to one of the many nature-tucked day beds. Our host Bill couldn't have been more accommodating and sweet. He even turned on the overhead misters for us to cool off at one point. Inside this gorgeous estate is more comfort and luxury. I found myself on a beautiful ornate lounge in front of the fireplace sipping fresh squeezed orange juice listening to the birds chirping through open windows. Each room has it's own unique charm, all of which are supremely lavish and cozy. Mirrors, massive comfy beds, windows looking out to exotic gardens, plenty of organic amenities in each bathroom, and mermaids everywhere keeping this lovely space sacred. We also took a beautiful hike up to eagle rock, with 360 degree views. Highly recommended! Absolutely gorgeous hike! About 40 minutes and a bit steep at times but our entire group (young and old) made it to top!! ;)

    Mountain Mermaid pool looking up at the main hall

    As a wedding site, the Mountain Mermaid is so special that I took the plunge here twice. It's not that I got married to two different men at the Mermaid. Seventeen years ago, my husband and I had a wedding that was so wonderful that some of our friends still talk about how uniquely magical the setting was. A few days ago, 17 years after our wedding, when we went back to visit, we were welcomed like family by Bill, the owner, and invited to take a plunge in the gorgeous pool at the Mermaid. One can't separate the space itself from the owner. Bill is a pioneering member of the "creative" class within Topanga Canyon. He has spent years of his life lovingly outfitting this magical space. The Mountain Mermaid has a fascinating history, and was at one time the site of a speakeasy with an underground casino frequented by the gangster Mickey Cohen, a contemporary of Al Capone. Pull up to the Mountain Mermaid and you will hear the splashing and gurgling of some of the more than 20 water fountains on the property. Bill has planted lantana, milkweed and other flowers to attract dozens of butterflies. The interior is best described as "bohemian elegance," with rustic, one-of-a-kind light fixtures all over the property. There are special rooms and hidden corners with surprising elements of artistry (best captured in some of the pictures attached to this review). One of the best things about our wedding was that the entire affair, from the ceremony to the reception - was all on site. We were married under a bower draped in silver sage and jewel-toned florals down by the pool and our reception was in the main hall, next to a large fireplace, somewhat reminiscent of the fireplaces in Yosemite's iconic Ahwahnee Hotel. The on-site caterer and DJ were great and the whole event went off without a hitch, or the expense of hiring a wedding planner. And 17 years later, when we returned for we what expected would be a quick visit, Bill welcomed us like family, gave us a personal tour of the property and grounds, and invited us to swim in the pool, an invitation we very happily accepted. If we were ever to renew our vows, there is no doubt that the Mountain Mermaid would be the place where we would take the plunge for the third time. It's a "best kept" secret spot for truly magical gatherings, with a long and storied history of hosting colorful characters for events that are remembered by many for years to come.

    Bridal party = Movie stars
    Jessica D.

    In writing reviews for wedding-related services, I think it's first helpful to hear about the bride. That's me. I'm the bride. There are all different types of brides, ranging on the scale from super-duper-chill on one end of the spectrum, to My-Super-Sweet-16 -psycho-mixed-with-the-Ultimate-Bridezilla. I won't try and figure out where I landed on the scale, you'd have to ask my bridesmaids for that information. So about me: I'm a type-A personality. I'm a major planner and prepare myself months in advance for every holiday or birthday celebration. I was an avid Pinner and was steadfastly committed to creating the perfect Pinterest-worthy wedding. I became obsessed with details and created execution timelines and itineraries for all my vendors and bridal party, with contingencies included. So you get the idea. It's also helpful to know that I did not hire a florist, a wedding planner, or a wedding coordinator. This whole wedding project was a labor of love for me, my mother-in-law, father-in-law, and my sister. When we first arrived at The Mountain Mermaid, I was super nervous. I had already looked at tons of pictures of The Mermaid online, both in its natural state, and dressed up for weddings. There was no way that this venue would be able to live up to the hype, right? Absolutely wrong. The Mountain Mermaid was even more beautiful in person than it was in pictures. And in person, this venue has something that CANNOT be captured in any of its photos: there is a sense of calm and tranquility that is almost palpable at The Mermaid. Walking around the grounds with the owner, Bill, my sister, and my fiance, I turned to my husband-to-be and said: "I feel so calm here. THIS is how we need to feel on our wedding day." That's probably the greatest compliment I can give to The Mermaid. It's not just a beautiful place and a gorgeous vista; it's a mood and a feeling. So this slightly OCD, type-A bride who planned her butt off to create the picture-perfect wedding was chill and relaxed the day of her wedding. I had planned everything so much in advance, that the wedding was able to run absolutely smoothly the day of and I sucked on the sweet Mermaid air and found my wedding zen. And isn't that what we all want for our wedding more than anything else? Our wedding shouldn't be a stressful event. It shouldn't be a nightmare in which we're pulled in a million directions and running around getting all sweaty because the tables aren't set up properly. Our wedding should be a magical wonderland of romance and love. Ours was. We owe so much thanks to Bill for assisting us in executing this beautiful dream. Bill was kind, and warm, and seemed to genuinely CARE about our wedding. It became a personal experience, not a few emails exchanged with some PR/hospitality grad working at a hotel. Bill also connected us with our caterer, Dave, who knocked our wedding food and rentals out of the freaking park. Bill just "got" us. He listened to what we wanted and helped us get there. I am not a wedding planning expert. I don't work in PR or marketing or design. I'm an educator with a law degree. I knew that I would be handling this affair without the normal team of coordinators and planners, so I had to find vendors and a venue that would be easy to work with. We absolutely found that in The Mermaid. In fact, after meeting with Bill for the first time, it gave me the confidence and reassurance that, yes, I would be able to handle this project without spending an arm and a leg for people to coordinate and plan for me. You should also know that it's been over a week since our wedding and our guests cannot stop talking about how beautiful everything was. My girlfriends keep commenting how The Mermaid's lighting was perfect for pictures and selfies. Our parents' friends keep wondering at how we found such a unique venue among the sea of generic ballrooms and courtyards. Feel free to check out some of the photos our guests captured at our wedding. I'm pretty sure it's impossible to take a bad picture there. We won't have our professional photos for another four weeks, so I'll post an update with those in the future. Also, feel free to private message me if you have any questions about The Mermaid. I'm happy to help you navigate the overly-charted, yet still mystifying, waters of wedding planning.

    Magical grounds...A Photographer or Videographer's dream!
    Linda G.

    The Mountain Mermaid is truly a magical place to have a wedding ceremony and reception. Our guest count was just under 100, which seemed like the right amount for the space...both upstairs and downstairs. It's true what other Yelpers have written...Your wedding photos will be unreal! You'll find all the small and large details for your big day.... your music, your décor, your flowers, your food... will all be gently influenced by the beauty of the MM. Bill B., the proud owner, has his own suggested list of vendors. His suggested coordinator and catering vendors to work with were all AMAZING. Our day-of coordinator was Laura Klein from No Worries (Laura was THE BEST! No Worries has had plenty of experience working with Bill/The Mountain Mermaid and has officially earned the title of "Bill-Whisperer" in my book). Our caterer and wedding cake and pastry chef was Layne Sanden of Layne Catering. Our guests COULD NOT STOP TALKING ABOUT HOW AWESOME THE FOOD WAS. Somehow Layne even made the vegetarian option sublime.... Guests were eating and dancing at the same time. Our cake was FANTASTIC...and BEAUTIFUL...and our mini pies were delicious and so so cute to look at. We went with our own DJ, and if you do the same, keep in mind that Bill monitors the sound throughout the day. My hubby and I didn't notice, but guests mentioned that Bill was out and about checking things out throughout the event. My strong advice for you is to higher a day-of coordinator who has worked with The Mountain Mermaid previously, have a reliable team of family and friends to help with set up and take down and always have a plan B or plan C in your back pocket. My Florist, DJ, Caterer and Day-Of Coordinator had all worked with Bill and the Mountain Mermaid in the past...which made everything less stressful. You will have to keep in mind that while this location is breathtaking, this location is not the best for people with limited mobility (hills, stairs & loose pavement), people who need access to a downstairs restroom (two restrooms upstairs only), people who are afraid to drive on curvy roads at night, or impatient people who aren't into just "going with the flow". My guests were all forewarned about the above limitations and arrived early enough to take their time before the ceremony. Everything worked out wonderfully!! The only big bummer was not being able to have our wedding rehearsal on location. Our bridal party was small...so almost everyone was able to visualize the procession w/out being there in person.

    View from back patio
    Ajani S.

    I never thought I'd be the cheesy girl who says her wedding was the best day of her life. Thanks to Bill and Don of 21 West catering. I am now proudly a cheesy girl! It was the best day of my life!! I know my husband would agree, we couldn't have chosen more wisely. Can't wait to stay a night as a bed and breakfast guest. Thanks Bill for maintaining such a beautiful piece of the world.

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    8 years ago

    Beautiful venue with a lot of history. it was a country club back in the 1930s, set out in Topanga Canyon among the trees and the stars.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Mountain Mermaid

    Review Highlights - The Mountain Mermaid

    The Mountain Mermaid is a gem of a place found located in Topanga Canyon owned by a wonderful guy named Bill.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

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    Casalena - Garden (Altar View) at Twilight

    Casalena

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    Had a great experience at Casalena. The restaurant has a nice aesthetic, and the staff was friendly…read moreand attentive throughout the meal. Our waitress was knowledgeable about the menu and gave good recommendations, which made ordering easy. The drinks were good and definitely not watered down. My only critique is that I wish the portions were a little larger for the price. Overall, it was a solid experience, and I'd definitely go back if I'm in the area. Be prepared to valet your car because parking is... Well it's LA.

    It feels like it's been years since I've had nearly perfect upscale restaurant experience, but…read moretonight was that special night at Casalena. I was searching for an elegant dinner spot on yelp and this place popped up. After seeing some pics of the food and the ambience, I quickly made the rezzy and my wife and I were on our way. As you come in, it's like you enter another world -- one of elegance and beauty. You can't help but notice perfect ambient lighting and modern vibes throughout the inside dine-in area and as you enter their huge gorgeous backyard patio, you just know that you're in the right place. The seating area there is massive, with very modern finishes and towards the rear of the patio you have the most beautiful water feature piece, that looks like a human-size vase, with water running down the vase and being met by fire at the base. Just one incredible architectural piece that creates that posh, contemporary ambiance. After taking in the breathtaking design of the spot, we finally sat down and ordered food. We tried the tuna tartare, squash blossoms appetizer and my wife got a seabass entree while I got their highly recommended vodka pasta. All of the food was absolutely incredible, from the freshness of tuna tartare, uniquely wonderful flavor profile of the squash blossoms , to the yummy vodka lumaconi pasta and the most mouth-watering seabass that I've ever tried in my life. I honestly never thought a fish could taste so good. The seabass was charred on the outside and just incredibly soft on the inside. As you barely touch the seabass with the fork, a piece of succulent seabass gets separated simply due to the natural gravity of the fork. The taste is perfect. It's like they somehow cooked it with large piece of butter on the inside. The incredible flavor profile and the consistency of each bite of this seabass, were simply unparalleled. And to add to all this awesomeness, the bed of risotto was perfectly cooked and tasted fantastic as well. To finish off our meal, we decided to share their apple tart pastry and it too, was fresh, flavorful and that scoop of ice cream on top, made the pastry just perfect. This place hits a perfect trifecta, with its phenomenal modern design , incredible food and absolutely superb customer service. Our waiter Zach was extremely nice, helpful, attentive and he was just a perfect guide throughout tonight's culinary adventure. My wife and I are more than satisfied and can't wait to come to Casalena again!

    Blackberry Creek Farm at Kelly Gulch

    Blackberry Creek Farm at Kelly Gulch

    (1 review)

    Over Memorial Day weekend 2014, my husband and I stayed at a b&b in Topanga Canyon and loved the…read morearea. We decided to drive around to see if there were any possible wedding venues that offer an all outdoor space that was rustic, charming, but still classy and elegant. We drove by a sign that said Kelly Gulch, Googled it, saw great photos on their website, called Sally up, and within a few hours was able to stop by to meet her and to view the farm. It was just what we wanted. We reserved it almost immediately and had the best wedding almost exactly a year later, during Memorial Day weekend 2015. Here are things we loved about Kelly Gulch: * Sally's great. She feels more like your wedding mom than a venue coordinator. It helps that she owns and lives on the property because you can feel the love she pours into it. Sally added so many great improvements to the property during the time we reserved and actually had the wedding. Every time we came back to visit, there was something new! * The venue is gorgeous--just look at the photos! It's small enough to create an intimate feel, but large enough to accommodate up to 200 guests. There are lots of trees, Sally's cute farm animals, a beautiful barn, a dressing studio, writing studio, an area for enclosed fire pits, a large parking lot, stunning wood bridges, and lots of other areas for great photo ops. * It's not a wedding mill. Other venues we looked at were very strict--you must show up at x time, clean up by x time, and felt very business-like. That wasn't the vibe we wanted, and we're so grateful we found Kelly Gulch. Sally let us do things like drop off our alcohol a week in advance and flowers the day before to store in her cool laundry area. Having that flexibility really came in handy, especially if you are having a primarily DIY wedding like we did. * Sally doesn't nickel and dime you. If she has something available, she will offer it to you and not charge you for it. For example, she has some tables, signs, drink dispensers, wagons, etc. that we were able to use in our wedding, which helped reduce costs. * I'm not sure if prices have gone up, but Kelly Gulch was reasonable compared to other venues we looked at. We really can't recommend Kelly Gulch and Sally enough. We had a dream wedding on a reasonable budget, and it couldn't have been done without first finding an amazing venue. Our one piece of advice to future brides and grooms is to order more bathroom stalls--at least 4--regardless of your guest count! Pay more if you have to--you won't regret it. We only had two, and I think we served way too many good drinks because there was ALWAYS a line at the restrooms. When one of the two stalls broke down toward the end of the night, that just made things worse. Our lesson learned is your lesson gained!

    The Mountain Mermaid - venues - Updated June 2026

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