Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area
Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area
Santa Monica Mountains rise above Los Angeles, widen to meet the curve of Santa Monica Bay and reach their highest peaks facing the ocean, forming a beautiful and multi-faceted landscape. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a cooperative effort that joins federal, state and local park agencies with private preserves and landowners to protect the natural and cultural resources of this transverse mountain range and seashore.
Located in a Mediterranean ecosystem, the Santa Monica Mountains contain a wide variety of plants and wildlife. The mountains also have an interesting and diverse cultural history which begins with the Chumash and Gabrielino/Tongva peoples and continues today in "L.A.'s backyard."
| The General Management Plan Newsletter:
Please take a moment to read this important news letter concerning Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The National Park Service, California State Parks, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy are preparing a new General Management Plan. |
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| Environmental Assessment for Circle X Ranch Campground Access Road Removal
Please take this opportunity to review the environmental assessment for the Circle X Ranch Campground Access Road Removal. The comment period expired on July 6, 1999. However, if you would like more information please contact the park at (805) 370-2345. |
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| Be informed! Get More information about the Hanta Virus and Lyme Disease by visiting the Center For Disease Control. | |
| Past documents are still on the web for your interst. |
| National Park Service 401 West Hillcrest Drive Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 (805) 370-2301 |
California State Parks 1925 Las Virgenes Road Calabasas, CA 91302 (818) 880-0350 |
Several other agencies also own and manage public land within the park, including the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Los Angeles County beaches and Harbors. For addresses and telephone numbers, please contact the National Park Service.
The National Park Service Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The Visitor Center contains a bookstore which is open during the same hours.
The Santa Monica Mountains have a true Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers (80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and relatively cool, wet winters (40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit). Nights can be cool any time of the year. In the summer, the coastal side of the mountains is generally 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the inland side. In the winter this pattern is reversed with warmer temperatures along the coast.
Layer your clothing to be comfortable anywhere in the mountains. For safety and comfort, use a hat, sunscreen and appropriate shoes or boots.
Hiking, mountain bicycling, horseback riding, bird watching, whale watching, swimming, surfing, nature walks, festivals and picnicking may be enjoyed year-round.
Visitor Centers/Exhibits:
National Park Service Visitor Center, Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center , Malibu Creek State Park Visitor Center, Malibu Lagoon Museum, Will Rogers State Historic Park, Topanga State Park Nature Center, Sooky Goldman Nature Center, and the Charmlee Nature Center.
Education Programs:
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers Curriculum based education programs. Teachers' workshops help enhance the students experience. To find out more about these special programs call (805) 370-2348 or check out our web site.
Trails/Roadways:
There are over 580 miles of public trails within the park. When completed, the Backbone Trail will extend approximately 65 miles, linking major park areas. Hiking guides and other publications showing the entire park are available at the National Park Service Visitor Center.
The historic Mulholland Scenic Corridor is a 55-mile scenic drive through the Santa Monica Mountains from Griffith Park to Leo Carrillo State Park.
Programs/Activities:
Outdoors in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Request a copy of the Outdoors calendar from the National Park Service for a complete listing of organizations, programs and activities by calling (805) 370-2301.
The National Park Service also offers a variety of educational opportunities for school groups. Contact the education office at (805) 498-0305 for reservations and information. For educational opportunities in California State Parks call (310) 457-8142.
Lodging/Camping Facilities:
Numerous hotels and motels are available in and near the park.
The Happy Hollow Campgroud at Circle X Ranch Site is currently closed. For updates on the campground contact our visitor center at (805) 370-2301.
Reservations for individual and family campsites at Point Mugu State Park, Leo Carrillo State Park and Malibu Creek State Park may be made in advance by calling California State Parks at (818) 880-0350 for more information.
The privately operated Malibu Beach RV Park provides facilities for recreational vehicle camping. Reservations may be made by calling (310) 456-6052.
A variety of group camping facilities are also available in the park. For reservations at the group campground at Circle X Ranch contact the National Park Service at (805) 370-2300. Group camping facilities are also available at Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu Creek State Park and Point Mugu State Park. Reservations for these facilities can be made by calling California State Parks at (818) 880-0350. The Danielson and Sycamore group multi-use areas in Point Mugu State Park may be reserved by calling (805) 488-5223. Contact the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks at (213) 485-4853 to reserve the group camping facility in Decker Canyon.
Food/Supplies:
All amenities are available in surrounding cities and within the park in the community of Topanga and the city of Malibu.
Horse Rentals:
Dos Vientos Stables: (805) 498-9222
Adventures on Horseback: (818) 706-0888Accessibility:
Many sites are accessible to some degree, but please call (805) 370-2301 to confirm. Fully accessible trails designed for people with physical and/or visual limitations are available in Upper Franklin Canyon and Malibu Creek State Park.
There are numerous opportunities for volunteer service. For information about volunteering with the National Park Service contact the Volunteer Coordinator Mike Malone at (805) 370-2317 or email:mike_malone@nps.gov.
Santa Monica Mountains Fund:
The Santa Monica Mountains Fund provides fund raising and other support for preserving and enhancing the unique natural and cultural resources of the Santa Monica Mountains and seashore. To learn more about how you can help, please call the National Park Service at (805) 370-2329, the California State Parks at (818) 880-0350, or the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy at (310) 456-5046.
Research Opportunities:
Outstanding and diverse natural and cultural resources, proximity to university and museum facilities, and extensive existing baseline data make the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area an excellent location for conducting research projects. The park is well equipped to assist researchers and to provide resources which can help facilitate project success. For more information about research opportunities in the park, contact the Park Ecologist at (805) 370-2339 or by e-mail at ray_sauvajot@nps.gov.
Some National Park Service Units are available for events such as group picnics, weddings, festivals and filming.
Event Permits: Group picnics, weddings, festivals
Request permits and cost estimates for National Park Service units by contacting the Permit Office at (805) 370-1854.
Filming Permits: Photography, films
Request filming permits and cost estimates by contacting Alice Allen at (805) 370-2308 or email: alice_allen@nps.gov.
California State Parks Permits:
For special event permits in California State Parks, call (310) 457-8185.
Scientific Research Permits:
Scientific research requires a free research and collecting permit. Contact the National Park Service at (805) 370-2339 or e-mail ray_sauvajot@nps.gov. For research activities in California State Parks, call (818) 880-0364.
| February
Juan Bautista de Anza en Calabasas Pageant |
May
Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest |
May-October
(2nd Sundays) |
July
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July, August
Silents Under the Stars |
October
Calabasas Pumpkin Festival |
| November
Backbone Trail Month |
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Request Outdoors calendar for a complete listing of these special events and other activities.
Trail Closure Updates Due to heavy rains, the Happy Hollow Campground at Circle X Ranch is closed.
State parks are closed during periods of extreme fire danger. Call (805) 488-8147 for a recorded fire condition message.
Some National Park Service trails are closed after significant rainfall. Call (805) 370-2301 for status of the trails.
Landslides commonly occur on park roads during the winter. Call Cal-Trans at 1-(800) 427-7623 or visit their web site at www.dot.ca.gov. You may also contact the National Park Service at (805) 370-2301. If you are curious about the traffic today in the Los Angeles area, visit Maxwell's Traffic site at www.traffic.maxwell.com/la/.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area rules and regulations are available for your reference in the Superintendent's Compendium.
The Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center is located in the city of Ventura, a 30 minute drive from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Visitor Center. Cabrillo National Monument, Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are also located in Southern California.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area
National Park Service
401 West Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360(805) 370-2301