Santa Monica Mountains - Western National Parks Association

Santa Monica Mountains

National Recreation Area

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Welcome!

Hidden in plain sight from Los Angeles, California, the Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultural sites.

Explore the Park

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is just outside of Los Angeles, California, visitors can experience famous beaches, explore more than 500 miles of trails, and find historical and cultural sites.

Stories from Santa Monica Mountains

Survival and Dispersal of Bobcat Kittens in a Fragmented Urban Environment
Keep Reading
Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Reptiles and Amphibians in Coastal Sage Scrub and Grassland Communities
Keep Reading
Effects of Competiton from Invasive Plants on the Endangered Plant Pentachaeta Lyonli
Keep Reading
Since our founding in 1938

WNPA has provided more than

$126 million

in aid to our partner parks to fund educational programs, initiatives, and scientific research.

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Kids in Parks

National parks are places where kids can dream up great adventures! Taking in amazing scenery. Testing out new skills. Exploring places kids may have only heard about. But most importantly, creating new memories with friends and family.

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What’s Happening at This Park?
Archaeology Day 10-08-2022 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM Free October is California Archaeology Month, and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is celebrating it with Archaeology Day! The event will be held at the Interagency Visitor Center at King Gillett... This event & parking is completely free and open to the public. Interagency Visitor Center is located at 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, CA 91302.
Scare-a-mount Ranch 10-22-2022 05:30 PM - 09:30 PM Free A fun Halloween inspired event for rangers and families! Bring the family to this free event at Paramount Ranch and discover all the creepy, eerie things you may encounter in the park. Rangers will be hig...
All About Acorns Workshop 1 pm 10-23-2022 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM Free Learn all about acorns with Hupa artist Kat High. Kat will lead the group on how to collect, prepare and store local acorns.  You will also learn how to make your own acorn tops and buzzers.  Reservations are... Directions to Rancho Sierra Vista main parking lot: Main entrance is located at the cross street of Via Goleta and Lynn Road, Newbury Park, CA, 91320 From the 101 Freeway, exit at Wendy Drive and head south. Turn right on Lynn Road. Turn left on Via Goleta. Drive all the way to the main parking lot near the restrooms and kiosk. Directions to the Culture Center: Take the trail to the right side of the restrooms and that will lead you to the Culture Center. It will be an easy 0.3 mile walk to arrive to the Culture Center.
All About Acorns Workshop 10 am 10-23-2022 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Free Learn all about acorns with Hupa artist Kat High. Kat will lead the group on how to collect, prepare and store local acorns.  You will also learn how to make your own acorn tops and buzzers.  Reservations are... Directions to Rancho Sierra Vista main parking lot: Main entrance is located at the cross street of Via Goleta and Lynn Road, Newbury Park, CA, 91320 From the 101 Freeway, exit at Wendy Drive and head south. Turn right on Lynn Road. Turn left on Via Goleta. Drive all the way to the main parking lot near the restrooms and kiosk. Directions to the Culture Center: Take the trail to the right side of the restrooms and that will lead you to the Culture Center. It will be an easy 0.3 mile walk to arrive to the Culture Center.

Our public lands are our public commons. They belong to all of us as part of our natural and cultural heritage. They remind us of a larger world that has existed long before the arrival of humans and will survive long after we are gone. –Terry Tempest Williams, Author & Conservationist

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