There are places you visit that change you forever. That is how I felt the moment I stepped onto the sacred grounds of Mermaid Mountain. My best friend and I spent a weekend here, and I have never felt more divine--like the highest version of myself. There is a magic woven into this place, and Bill's kindness feels less like hospitality and more like being welcomed by an old friend. These are the moments I will never forget: singing in the copper tub beneath the stars and full moon, sipping wine until the water turned cold; twirling barefoot through the gardens with my best friend in disbelief that I was lucky enough to stay somewhere so breathtakingly beautiful. The hummingbirds, frogs, and peacocks became companions, and the outside world felt wonderfully far away. I stayed awake nearly all night before leaving because I couldn't bear for it to end. And now, weeks later, I realize something shifted in me. Mermaid Mountain reminded me that I am worthy of opulent and extraordinary experiences. The property is also home to a beautiful butterfly garden lovingly tended by Sergio, who shares his knowledge and offers plants for guests to take home. I brought a few back to my own garden, and now butterflies visit me there, reminding me that places can continue to nourish us long after we've left them. Mermaid Mountain what a hidden gem in sweet Topanga ! read more

Absolutely top rated gorgeous place to get married. The location is nestled in the hills above Topanga Canyon. If your looking for a place that's small enough to feel like your in a boutique atmosphere yet largest enough to accommodate 40 to 50 guests, this is your place The owner is absolutely generous and accommodating in every way. They offer on site hospitality to stay for the weekend. Rooms are so unique and clean you won't be disappointed Highly recommended!! read more

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Made a purchase of two "boyfriend" tanks that ended up being universal size. I removed the tag of one shirt that I tried on. The shorts were too large and I requested a return (no women's cut available). I taped the tag back on the shirt I tried on. I was required to pay shipping for the return, that I returned in their original box and taped the tag to the shirt that is removed. My return was declined indicating I'd washed a shirt (did not!) and they had a perfume smell! I explained this was not the case, was insulted by their claims, let alone having to pay shipping for the return. To top it off, my options are again paying shipping (for the third time) for them to return the too large shirts to me, or write it all off as a loss. Worst online purchase and customer service I've experienced and I have email documentation to support this post. read more

This is such an amazing and magical venue! My daughter's wedding was held here and we couldn't have been happier! The owner Bill was exceptional as a host and the property was beautiful including the individual suites we stayed in for the weekend. Beautiful grounds with luscious foliage and butterflies every where! Thanks so much Bill! read more

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! read more

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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! read more

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Magical Topanga Canyon: the Mountain Mermaid, an idyllic getaway compound nestled in a paradise of flowering plants, butterflies and birds, bubbling water features, and the promise of pure relaxation and exploration...... Our room for two nights in mid-June mirrored the mermaid theme, along with an antique bed and dressers, full bath, with an additional sink and fridge/microwave and toaster oven, and eating utensils. The windows opened to gardens and water, palm trees and blue sky, though air conditioning was on and always available if needed.... The owner is generous and thoughtful, and offers overnighters use of the great room off the bedrooms, along with an Olympic type swimming pool, and tables for ones own food and drinks while taking in the sylvan surroundings outdoors..... You'll enter perhaps a little tired, leave with calm energy and gratitude for the beauty all around you.... Thank you, Bill, you've created a masterpiece.....and read the history of this place...mysterious and interesting! Love, Susan and John from Lake Arrowhead read more

It should be called the MAGICAL Mountain Mermaid! This spot is a true gem! I was part of a team leading a yoga retreat here this past weekend, and have to say that this is by far the best venue I've ever worked with in organizing a retreat. Bill is amazing and took care of our every need in making sure the day ran smoothly, even despite a lot of rain that day. The space itself is gorgeous, as are the surrounding gardens and pool area. It's hard to believe such an incredible spot exists within Los Angeles. It's a true oasis of peace and nourishment. As a caterer, the kitchen was fabulous to work in, roomy and well-stocked (and an amazing view to boot!). Rest assured that if you hold an event here, your caterer will find this an easy place to work! I'm excited to return here in March for our next event...and many more to come! read more

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. read more

The Mountain Mermaid - Rear gardens and pool - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Topanga, California

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!! ;) read more

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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. read more

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The Mountain Mermaid is etched in our hearts! My husband just brought me back for an overnight to celebrate our 2 year wedding anniversary. We stayed in The Little Blue Bungalow, across the road from the main house. The space was charming, with a sweet kitchen area, a huge soaking tub, a burbling fountain out front, an upstairs bedroom with quaint porthole windows and lovely views of trees and mountains and an extra bedroom and bath in case you want to invite another friend to stay. Once again, our host, Bill Buerge, was delightful and he even surprised us with a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of garden flowers!! We feel so blessed to have discovered the Mountain Mermaid and would highly recommend it as a wedding venue or an overnight getaway to pure enchantment. read more

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. read more

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My wedding anniversary is coming up and it makes me miss my wedding day so so much. Every bride thinks her day was amazing but let me tell you, mine was absolutely THE BEST. Part of the reason is because I had the perfect venue! I had a picture of my ideal wedding venue in my head but I had yet to find it. It was through a random search online using the keywords "historical sites in LA" that lead me to The Mountain Mermaid. From the moment I read about Bill's story and saw the pictures of his amazing place, I was 99.99% sure this is where I was going to get married. The Mountain Mermaid was the first location we visited and my god did I squeal and giggle all the way into the drive way and through out the house. It was exactly what I was looking for and I wished so badly this was my house. Bill is a nice, calm and gentle man who you can tell adores and really takes care of his place. I liked that he charged per guest and the package included everything except for the D.J. I told him the style and mood of my wedding and the type of food I planned to serve. He then recommended an amazing caterer based on my criteria. Everything was on point and he let me personalize everything for my wedding. If I thought of it, they made it happen. It just made things so much easier when everything is all inclusive because it meant less work for me. Bill did have a lot of restrictions, but they were all very reasonable and nothing out of the ordinary. You have to understand that this was also his home so being protective and careful of how guests used his venue is very understandable. However, I found that as long as I asked and discussed things over with him, he ended up letting me have most of the things my way. I heard he's changing the place to a bed and breakfast venue and you betcha I'm going to stay there. I love love love the house and Bill is just so nice. Thank you Bill and his lovely team for everything. I was happy with the money we spent and feel we got exactly what we paid for (if not more!). p.s. the selfish person inside would like to keep this place a secret so it won't be overly used and abused. however, it's just too much of a good thing not to share it with the rest of the world read more

This is venue my husband and I viewed but did not select for our wedding. My husband had this site recommended to him by coworkers who had been to a wedding here before and suggested we check it out. Since we live in Woodland Hills, this is a short 5 mile drive from our home so we loved the idea that our guests wouldn't have to travel far. First of all, it was difficult to set up an appointment to come view this place as the guy running the place wasn't very responsive. Took a few emails and phone calls to get something going. Once we were actually there to view the site we did agree that it was very beautiful but not really our style. it's kind of old California/Spanish looking on the outside and then inside is very rustic like a wood cabin. Plus the guy in charge was a little off-putting. He didn't bother me so much but my mom and fiance got very strange vibes from the guy so they pretty much eliminated this place from our list right away. I do have to say that the pricing was very reasonable and being able to bring your own booze was a nice perk. However, if you pick their package deal and don't like the one caterer they deal with (and I don't believe you get a tasting) then it's too bad for you. I would like to be invited to a wedding here to see how it all comes together though... read more

The Mountain Mermaid is a great venue in the heart of Topanga in a gorgeous mountain setting with epic views. There's a lot of history here: rumor is that once upon a time this was a speak easy and possibly a bordello. Places like Italian Vogue are often out doing photo shoots there. Bill Buerges, the owner, is incredibly warm and gracious. When we drove up this morning, my seventeen year old son in the car behind us with the photographer, a bunny zipped into the bushes while one glorious male peacock sauntered towards the wonderful Spanish colonial house, king of the world and two more big boy peacocks reluctantly cleared out of the parking lot into the greenery. Instantly, I knew we were in the right place. The gardens are well kept: super lush with a wide variety of plants and all sorts of intriguing elements built in to engage the human eye and heart. The house is spotless and very open, with any number of mermaids part of the decor. I remembers as a child my parents going to hear classical music from L.A. Philharmonic musicians putting on chamber music recitals at the Mermaid. At the time there was a no child policy so I did not get to see it for ages: as a youngster, I remember thinking it was the coolest place in the world. Pretty magic to send my teenager over there for his senior photo. read more

No matter what I write, it will not do full justice to how amazing the Mountain Mermaid really is. As a matter of fact, the only reason that I did not write that the photos were "Very Helpful" in the Yelp page for this venue is because, while they are great, they just can't capture the vibe of such a gorgeous property with a such a long history that is brought to life through owner and manager, Bill Buerge. My wife and I had our wedding at the Mermaid and could not have asked for a more perfect venue. We have been back several times for other events including my brother-in-law's wedding and I always seem to notice something that I missed the time before that just serves to reiterate how much I love this place. The "Great Room" is just that. We had an amazing fire cooking in the fire place for our wedding in January and the room just comes alive with people. If you have a good music group, particularly one that is not too loud, the acoustics of the Great Room are unparalleled. The beautiful original wood throughout the room just adds an incredible warmth that I cannot fully describe. The kitchen and dining room are great staging areas for caterers and other service providers and help to facilitate events. The landscaping of the Mountain Mermaid is absolutely stunning and full of flowers, local plants and trees, including an amazing variety of succulents, and accompanied by many pond gardens and fountains. The pool is simple, crystal clear, and perfectly set in the luscious landscape of the the Mermaid. My wife and I have been fortunate to stay in each of the three bedrooms of this venue and each time walk away refreshed and amazed at how well we slept and how welcome we felt. We only hope that Bill finds it in his heart to turn the Mermaid into a bed and breakfast when he does not have an event underway. The most recent guest room, in the tower, is beautiful and one of my favorite places to wake up in the world. It's hard to beat having an elegant claw-foot bathtub out in the open room and peacocks walking around by the windows. If you enjoy a good story and are curious about the history of the place, just ask Bill and you will be blown away by the many iterations and lives of the Mermaid and what Bill has done with it. The bottom line is this: the Mountain Mermaid is simply the perfect venue for many different events ranging from weddings and parties to photo shoots and movies. I cannot recommend the Mermaid enough. We had the perfect wedding and it was largely due to the magic that is the Mermaid. read more

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.

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. read more

The Mountain Mermaid - Magical grounds...A Photographer or Videographer's dream! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Topanga, California

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. read more

The Mountain Mermaid - View from back patio - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Topanga, California

I am just coming back down to earth as I write this, because my husband and I had our wedding at the Mountain Mermaid this weekend. The moment we stumbled upon this magical place, we knew it was for us. Where so many venues feel like wedding factories, this place feels intimate, comfortable and just like home. Bill was so helpful throughout the planning process, and he made us feel so at ease about throwing the biggest event of our lives there. The wedding was absolutely perfect. It was a dream come true kind of day, and I have to give a lot of the credit to the location. So many guests came up to us and told us that this was the best venue they had ever been to. The most frequent question we got asked was "How did you find this place?" It really is so magical. You feel like you're far away from Los Angeles in your own little world. We can't wait to come back and visit for our anniversary! read more

I could talk about my wedding day to anyone anywhere for hours. As perfect as a wedding can be, ours was! The Mountain Mermaid and Bill provided the venue for our dream wedding and we could not be happier. We were married at the Mermaid on May 22, 2015 and wish we could get married again there every year! From the time we stepped onto the property and after our first meeting with Bill, we knew we wouldn't be venue shopping any more. I wanted an indoor reception, and the Mermaid has the beautiful Great Room with mountain views. I hate how hotel ballrooms have no windows, so this venue is the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor - we got to be comfortable inside without worrying about weather, while at the same time enjoying the magical Santa Monica mountains in the heart of Topanga. It's perfect for a wedding of about 110-120 people. We had about 100 which was perfect and not crowded at all, but we did have room for one more table. The day of our wedding, we took over the venue, girls getting ready upstairs with our own private balcony to enjoy mimosas all morning while getting our hair and makeup done, and the boys downstairs with their own perfect photo opportunities with the lookout over the mountains and unique old fashioned interior decor. My father walked me down the stairs and windy pathway while my friend held my dress behind us. We walked passed the gorgeous pool and up the aisle that was set below lush trees and greenery. We hung a few paper lanterns with ribbons and put colorful flowers in 2 giant bird baths on either side of the aisle adding to the Mermaid's already brilliant and colorful setting. Our ceremony was perfect, and then our guests enjoyed the cocktail hour with live acoustic music, wine and beer, and light snacks while we roamed around the property with our photographer and videographer to sneak a few private shots. We rented two sets of chairs so that the staff would not have to move chairs from the ceremony area to the reception area, because the only thing that is a little complicated about this venue is that there are two storeys and long walks for guests. Luckily the valet can drive guests from the ceremony site to the reception easily, but to make everything run smoothly, I recommend planning the rentals wisely and having two sets whatever you need so that the staff doesn't have to run around too much. Our reception was fabulous and exactly what I wanted. First dance, speeches, table service, drinking, and dancing on the top of the Santa Monica mountains. I could not be happier. The prep area is outside right next to the Great Room, so the wait staff was able to be efficient. We had family style service, which worked well for us. There is a small room next to the Great Room, which could also be used for a buffet, but we used that room for the cake instead and left the lounge furniture there for our guests to use if they wanted. The day went by too fast. It was a truly magical and perfect day and I would do it all over again. Bill was an incredible host the day-of and during the planning of the event. He lets you use all of the unique furniture around the Mermaid to make your event colorful and special. He communicates directly with vendors and your day-of wedding coordinator to make the best wedding possible. I highly highly recommend the Mountain Mermaid for your wedding. Thanks Bill!!!!!! See here for more pictures: http://brookeboroughphotography.pixieset.com/israelandbeccaswedding read more

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I have attended many functions at this beautiful venue in the mountains. The ambiance and the food have always been delightful. I wish lived closer so that I could attend local functions held there. Recently I was a guest in the tower room, where upon waking I took a wonderful bath in the clawfoot tub looking out at the canyon, washed my hair under the shower, & went out on the private deck to dry as I read looking up often to the mountains across the canyon. What a lovely location with beautiful grounds filled with native plants with a large gorgeous swimming pool. What a relaxing and wonderful stay!!! read more

My fiancee and are getting married at The Mountain Mermaid on September 24 of next year. The owner Bill has been very helpful throughout the entire process suggesting so many ideas that we never thought of. I am a tattoo and fine arts painter, and how things look is really important to me and I have to say, the Mountain Mermaid is really easy on the eyes! The colors, the textures, all the beautiful antiques, the gardens, mountain views, and butterflies flying everywhere (they raise them here)...it is just a real stunner inside and out. We are vegans as well and appreciate the many organic and vegetarian caterers the Mermaid works with. And, I love the fact it is a certified wildlife and butterfly site. I highly recommend The Mountain Mermaid if you are looking for a natural, health-promoting, and insanely gorgeous location! read more

Such a beautiful location with elegant surroundings. Photographed a beautiful wedding and couldn't believe how wonderful the whole day went. When you have great people to photograph, accompanied by the perfect location, it becomes a perfect situation. Bill is amazing and has maintain a hidden gem in Topanga,CA. Can't get enough of the read more

The Mountain Mermaid - Meet the Mueller's at the Mountain Mermaid. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Topanga, California

Watching the gorgeous sunset over the mountains (without another building or house in sight) will make you feel like you've been magically transported out of LA. The outdoor space by the beautiful pool is serene, peaceful, surrounded by pretty foliage & hummingbirds, and the perfect spot for an intimate wedding ceremony. Was a guest here for my friend's wedding, and everyone had the best time in this gorgeous setting. The area around the pool was spacious enough to comfortably fit a DJ, full bar, and a fairly large number of guests for the cocktail reception. Then we moved into the formal dining area, which is SO beautiful and very charming. The decor is unique, rustic elegant, and whimsical, and the ambiance is warm and inviting. Felt like we were celebrating in a fairytale mansion! Also loved that the large kitchen is attached to the dining room. Food was fantastic and tasted homemade. The view of the sunset from all the large French doors during dinner was exquisite and cast the room in a beautiful light. No wonder they host a lot of weddings and professional photo shoots here...it's gorgeous! Perfect location also for a stress-melting weekend getaway or romantic anniversary. read more

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Attended a photography workshop at the Mountain Mermaid and we could not have picked a more stunning venue. Total peace and beauty surrounds you all around. The rooms are as comfortable as they are gorgeous. The grounds are impeccable, well manicured and breath-taking. The great house is ultra beautiful, comfortable and cozy. Bill, the owner is hands on and most helpful and accommodating to his guests. This place is a little heaven in the middle of Topanga Canyon. read more

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We recently had a Celebration of Life at the Mountain Mermaid for one of our beloved family members. Everything was perfect! We could not have ask for a more beautiful and peaceful location. Bill and his staff were so gracious and greatly exceeded our expectations. They truly made this very special day everything we hoped for! Thank you!!! read more

I have to agree with the other reviews that the business practices and restrictions of the venue are above and beyond what would be considered reasonable. Bill, the owner lives on the property and is extremely possessive and controlling. It is a pretty place, but so are other locations nearby. We decided to have our wedding elsewhere and have never looked back! Funny story, when he was giving us a slide show of the venue, he forgot to clear out the pornography from his web browser. Good luck if you go here! read more

The Mountain Mermaid is a gorgeous, well kept property for a wedding. Bill, the owner, takes great pride in the area and tries very hard to make you comfortable on your wedding day. Your photos from the day will be beautiful, I guarantee it. On the day of, he was around to help out with anything with my coordinator. However, I believe Bill may be leaning more towards using the venue as an "Air BnB" place in the future rather than for weddings. Every time I wanted to make an appointment to look at the grounds or go over something with a vendor there, my appointment took second place to any possible bookings (Air BnB, photo shoots, etc). I totally understand that a guys gotta make a living, so I can't begrudge him for it, but if you are looking for a venue that caterers to you and makes you feel special, this is NOT it. I had my appointments canceled twice on the day of or the night before. Also, he was AWFUL about returning calls or emails. I finally had to have my wedding planner track him down by calling every hour on the hour as we got closer to the wedding date. Bill also could never remember who I was, what day I was getting married, or who my caterer was (he'd ask me every time I saw him). My rehearsal the day before at the venue was canceled because he had an Air Bnb client. His contract says that we could practice at a "a time mutually agreed upon" (which we had scheduled for the day before) and his suggestion once we found out we couldn't do it on Friday was to practice THE MORNING OF THE WEDDING. Uhhh, I don't want to see my finance before the big reveal!!! So weird. We ended up practicing at my parents house. Also, if you are really into having glass for serving drinks, no glass is allowed around the pool. You will want to check the contract for little things like that. You also have to turn the music off and start packing up at 10pm. Finally, he has some beautiful furniture around the backyard, but be careful...one of my guests sat down on one and it completely collapsed. She fell backward and hit her head and knee. Luckily she was OK, but VERY embarrassed which I felt terrible about. All in all, I wouldn't say don't use this venue, but make sure you have a planner who is willing to bust their butt to get a hold of the owner, you are willing to not be treated as a priority, and we just barely fit about 105 people into the venue, so it won't hold a lot, especially for the price. read more

The Mermaid is the most magical venue in Los Angeles. I jump on every opportunity to attend an event at the Mermaid. There are parking issues so I recommend hiring a valet company. read more

Bill, the Owner has put his heart and soul into this property and business. He is genuine, kind, and takes as much time as you need to discuss any details and help you get ideas on all aspects. He happily recommends vendors that he has great experience with. You are not required to use any of them, which is nice because some venues do have exclusive contracts with caterers etc. He merely offers contacts and info but it's all your choice. I've gotten so much great info in such a short time and we're only getting started in planning. Not to mention the enthralling history given to us by Bill himself. What a special place. Upon our first appointment seeing the venue and meeting with Bill we drove away, looked at each other and said "Do we even need to look at anything else?" We both immediately agreed. Nope. This is the place! (Mind you this was the 1st and only venue we looked at). Some things are just meant to be... The vibe is perfect, such beautiful grounds, we're just thrilled to be married here next year... !! read more

The Mountain Mermaid is pure magic! I just had the great pleasure of leading a yoga retreat at this enchanted place and I have to say that it was one of the easiest retreats I've ever led! First, Bill the owner is fabulous--so accommodating, sincere, and kind. We were met with an incredibly rainy day, but that didn't stop Bill! He went out of his way to make sure my guests parked with ease and that we were all dry and warm for dining. We had 40 happy people join us for this 1 day retreat and all said they'd be back for the next one. The level of attention to detail found at The Mermaid, the ornate and interesting, the aesthetic buffet, sweeping views, grand great room, grounds, and kitchen, ALL make for a memorable experience. I highly recommend The Mountain Mermaid for any and all of your events. My group is looking forward to more retreats held at The Mermaid and we simply cannot wait for March 21st and July 18th! With gratitude, Chaz read more

My wife and I got married at the Mountain Mermaid in December 2013 and we couldn't have been happier with our decision. This place is absolutely amazing! It's tucked away in a beautiful and peaceful part of Topanga Canyon, it has a lot of history and a lot of character. I've never seen anything like it before. Bill was really sweet and helpful throughout the process and we were so happy to have such a supportive and positive person around us on the most important day of our lives. Thank you Bill. read more

Came here last weekend for a friend's wedding. Such a beautiful, lovely respite! Really magical place, rich history, and friendly owner Bill. I highly recommend this place! Yay! read more

Just went to a wedding here this weekend and it was spectacular! Such a wonderful little gem. You feel like you're a million miles away from LA and yet it's so close. Fantastic venue! read more

My wife and I were recently married at Mountain Mermaid and could not have been happier. After looking around at a few places in LA we had the good fortune of stumbling upon the Mermaid, and after visiting the location and chatting with Bill, we knew we had found the right place. Not only is the location absolutely beautiful, Bill was more than helpful and accommodating at every turn. Also, the caterer Don at 21 West and his staff provided a delicious dinner for all of our guests. Even though we did not have a wedding coordinator, everything went like clockwork. read more

Just a wonderful place. Almost a delicious slice of Tuscany, high in the Topanga hills, around the corner from the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Bill Buerge and Gail McDonald-Tune are the gracious owners/hosts of this unique wedding/event site. Built originally in 1930, as the club house for an elaborate country club, and upscale housing tract project. The Great Depression put the kabosh on that. The Mountain Mermaid, like Topanga itself, has had a colorful, outre history. A boarding school, and later Mickey Cohen-mob-backed casino, in the 40's, a down-low, gay bar (managed by a former vice cop!) in the 50's-60's, a concert venue through the early 90's. Buerge bought, what was being sold as a tear-down/development site, and lovingly restored what is now a beautiful, one-stop, special event destination. He is also a very pro-active advocate relating to California-native plantings and vegitation. Bed and breakfast rooms, charmingly decorated by McDonald-Tune, in her upbeat, shabby-chic style (lots of mermaid motif!) are available at the main property, and across the road. Special community events, and concerts are still held, and well worth a visit. A genuine treasure! read more

The sign of a great bed and breakfast is when you start planning future trips while you are still on your current one. The Mountain Mermaid is a relaxing, inspiring get-away in one of my favorite places, Topanga Canyon. The grounds are a gorgeous mixture of stunning native plants and cool vintage furniture and art pieces interspersed. The native plants also provide for a butterfly garden, which I cannot wait to go back and see when they have a butterfly release. It is also close enough to walk to Topanga State Park if you want to hike. The rooms are all unique- We stayed in the one on the main level, pool side. It had a big window overlooking the pool and a gas fireplace. I loved that we had a water fountain on the patio outside out room. I stayed in bed for a long time just watching the local birds come by for a morning drink. If I could design my own bed and breakfast- it would look just like the Mountain Mermaid. read more

This review is not only for The Mountain Mermaid as a venue, but also for Bill, the owner: At the end of January, my company held a 2-day photo shoot at The Mountain Mermaid, which I was lucky enough to attend. That first day's long and windy drive up to the house via Topanga Canyon Blvd left me feeling a bit apprehensive about where exactly we were going, but upon arrival, any doubts soon disappeared. The Mountain Mermaid is a beautiful and charming property that feels secluded but idyllic. It proved to be the perfect setting for our fashion-based photo shoot, since there were so many picturesque locations throughout the house and on the grounds to capture photos with our models. Antique furniture, rich wooden walls, and lush, green gardens with bright flowers really helped to bring life and character to the photos, and I can say our whole team was incredibly pleased with the end results. My only pro tip for anyone spending longer amounts of time at The Mountain Mermaid and nearby its several pretty fountains/mini ponds would be to wear long-sleeved clothing and cover up if you're prone to mosquito bites like me! Otherwise, what might seem like a trendy choice to wear sheer tights with knee-high boots could end up being a major regret once you discover the handful of insanely itchy, small red bumps sprinkled all over your upper legs at the end of the day... Not only is The Mountain Mermaid a lovely property, but I have to give it 5-stars also for its owner, Bill. We briefly met Bill while setting up the shoot, and spotted him once in a while throughout the days we were there, and on first impression, he seemed very kind and passionate about his property. He explained some of the home's storied and awesome history to us, and also showed us The Mountain Mermaid postcards highlighting these details. He also let us take control of the home's (awesome) sound system so that our own playlists could set the right mood for our photographer to shoot. It was a completely smooth 2 days at The Mountain Mermaid, and everyone on the set commented about how well the production went. And for me, it was a perfect end to the week, as we drove back down the mountain around sunset and saw the beautiful, fiery reddish-orange skies extending over the Pacific Ocean. A perfect end, that is...until we were halfway home and I realized I had FORGOTTEN MY BOSS'S CAMERA CHARGER + BATTERY that was plugged into a wall outlet at The Mountain Mermaid!! I can't tell you the inappropriate number of times I muttered obscenities at myself in my head (and possibly sometimes aloud), but the different scenarios ran through my mind about how I could get the items back...and most of them involved either spending a lot of money to buy a new charger and battery online, or making another 2-ish hour drive back up from Orange County to The Mountain Mermaid to retrieve them. I decided on buying new ones, but thought I'd first shoot an email to Bill in the chance that he might be able to retrieve them and mail them back to me at my cost of course (assuming they were even still there and hadn't already been picked up by someone else from the production). Not even an hour after I had sent my email did I receive the most calming and concise response from Bill: "I will check it out when I get back to the Mermaid...not to worry." After receiving confirmation from him the very next day that my items were safely in his possession, I offered him my address so that he could mail the items back to me and charge any shipping or postage fees to me. Bill let me know that he would send out the items on the first of the week (by now it was Sunday and post offices were obviously closed). And exactly one week later, I received an awesomely artsy, small padded envelope containing the precious camera items, plus a Mountain Mermaid postcard from Bill. I emailed Bill to express my huge appreciation for his help and to let me know how I could send him a check or somehow reimburse him for the shipping costs. But as generous as he is, he declined. From start to finish, it was a pleasure working with Bill, and I can't say enough good things about him and his property. Check out The Mountain Mermaid if you get the chance! read more