Tucked away behind a steep swerve of a mountain road, Hidden Treasures is easy to miss. I stumbled upon this funky vintage shop by pure accident, taking an alternative route from the lab. Before I knew it, I was on a winding mountain road: twists and turns, twists and turns, never straight! I rolled down all four windows, opened my eyes as wide as I could, and squealed with delight — I’ve never driven through the mountains before! (Oh, and I held on to the wheel for my deer life.)
I finally returned last week, triumphant and armed with a camera, because I believe that everyone needs to know about this place. If you are coming from Los Angeles, chances are your GPS will put you on the scenic route of Pacific Coast Highway. The town of Topanga, CA is just about 3 miles from Malibu.
Here’s the low-down: an old, creepy house gets converted into an antiques shop by brilliant owners. You are greeted by rooms and rooms filled with what can only be described as glorious junk: life-size action figures, hats suspended on a string from the ceiling, funky clothing ranging from Victorian to contemporary, vintage linens & rugs, trunks filled with silk scarves (I scored a few for just 3 bucks each!), and a bunch of oddities… In the back, they even have a haunted garden complete with a staircase that leads to nowhere. What a trip!
A picture is worth a 1000 words, right? Click on thumbs to see full-size pics!
Oh wow!! That is amazingly kitsch, I wish I could go there!! I love it, what a great find, Doe :D
Yup, I live in Topanga… I work across the street from Hidden Treasures haha.
Doe Deere Reply:
August 9, 2011 at 3:50 pm
No way! Where do you work??
Paige Reply:
August 13, 2011 at 4:35 pm
I work weekends as a waitress at Abuelita’s, the Mexican restaurant across the street!
Another reason for me to visit cali! :D
Wow, It’s so beautiful.
Oooh, it’s like crazy rainbow wonderland! I love the little man lamp things. Thanks for the tip, Doe. Also, you look great rocking the “natural” look!
What a wonderland!
That place looks amazing xoxo
<3 !! one of the great things about vintage shops is the way people style their shop!
I swear that shop has been used in a movie, one of those romantic comedies or something very similar anyway. I feel like I’ve seen it before though?
Oh ma gaw. I love the petticoats! Were they inexpensive? Petticoats always seem to cost ten thousand bucks ):
That place looks amazing. Wish I could find some places like that in New England that were cheap :/ Also, you look cute in these pictures. Very simple compared to what you usually wear but a nice change. Love My Beautiful Rocket too!
This place looks great! Does anyone know of anything like this in Chicago? Or just any good thrift/vintage stores? I’ll be taking a shopping vacation there in about a month and would love to know of some great stores to go to!
That is one of my favorite vintage shops! I have to go there every time I’m in LA. They have a wonderful cardigan selection.
KiKi Reply:
September 26, 2011 at 2:38 am
is it expensive….like not worth ur money but like ridiculous expensive lol?
I heard that place is awesome, I’m around from that area, I have been wanting to go. I wish the video was longer! It looks awesome!
Oh my goodness as if I didn’t want to go to California enough before!!!
I love the little mouth with the tongue sticking out on the house behind you, I’d like to have that in my bedroom.
Kristie Reply:
August 9, 2011 at 11:29 pm
Nix like, more like love, adore!
Oh, wow! Just wow! That entire place just seems to glow in a beautiful aura of fantasy! I could die happy in a place like that…
I know where I’m going on my next day off!!
Natasha Reply:
August 11, 2011 at 12:04 am
We went today. It was definitely different. Unfortunately I didn’t find anything that was small enough to fit me, and they were also shooting when we were there too!
I want that blue lamp! What a lovely little nook to find tucked away in the California hills. Love your post Doe, as usual! :-)
So good to see you looking so natural…I LIKE IT!!! And that place looks awesome, too =)
The “branchy lamp” looks like something used in vodou or similar religion. I can sear I’ve seen something similar at an ethnographic exhibition…
this is PERFECT
what an awesome store! i’d love to go there one day :D
by the way, how do you get your hair wavy like that? it’s so cute and i’ve always wondered..
Doe Deere Reply:
August 10, 2011 at 10:19 pm
I have a triple barrel waver, it’s amazing! http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-HOT-TOOLS-TRIPLE-BARREL-WAVER-1175-GOLD-PRO-/360385107645
omfg you got those postcard glasses. i am SOOO envious.. <3
oooh that place looks great. I would wear your neon green sunglasses in a hot second. if you ever want to give them away, think of meeeeee…..
Doe Deere, you are so beautiful.
that looks like such an amazing place! x
my friend lives up the street. i love this place!