Park Details
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Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Map
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Park Details
Location Information
National Park Service:
30401 Agoura Road, Suite 100
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 597-9192
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.
Directions:
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is located west
of Griffith Park in Los Angeles County and to the east of the Oxnard Plain
in Ventura County. U.S. Highway 101 (Ventura Freeway) borders the mountains
on the north, and State Highway 1 (Pacific Coast highway) and the Pacific
Ocean form the southern boundary. Access to most park areas is available
via the many roads that cross the mountains between these two major highways.
A portion of the park also stretches into the Simi Hills, north of U.S. Highway 101. The National Park Service Visitor Center is located at 30401 Agoura Road, Suite 100, in Agoura Hills. From U. S. Highway 101, turn south on Reyes Adobe Road. Turn right on Agoura Road and enter the first driveway of the first office building on the right. Once in the lobby, turn to your right and enter the Visitor Center through the first double doors.
Operating Hours/Seasons
The National Park Service Visitor Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends and holidays 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.
Closures:
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 (818) 597-9192 ext. 201 for status of trails.
Land slides commonly occur on park roads during the winter. Call Cal-Trans at 1-(800) 427-7623 or the National Park Service at (818) 597-9192 ext.201 for current conditions.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Special Use Permits:
Filming Permits:
Photography, Films.
Request filming permits and cost estimate information by contacting
Alice Allen at (818) 597-9192 ext. 212.
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 (818) 597-9192, ext. 247.
For research activities in California State Parks call (818) 880-0364.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
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.
Facilities and Opportunities
Hiking, mountain bicycling, horseback riding, birdwatching, whale watching, swimming, surfing, nature walks, festivals and picnicking are activities which are available throughout the year. Request Outdoors,a quarterly calendar of events published by the National Park Service, for a complete listing of scheduled activities.
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
Charmlee Nature
Center
The J. Paul Getty Museum of Fine Art
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:
Request a copy of the Outdoors calendar from the National Park
Service for a complete listing of organizations, programs and activities
by calling (818) 597-9192 ext. 201.
The National Park Service also offers a variety of educational opportunities for school groups. Contact the education office at (818) 597-1036 ext.784 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.
Contact the National Park Service for information about camping at Happy Hollow Campground at the Circle X Ranch Site. Individual and family tent campsites are available on a first come, first served basis.
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 Destinet at 1-(800) 444-7275. Contact 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 (818) 597-9192, Ext. 333.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 Destinet at 1-(800) 444-7275.
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
Accessibility:
Many sites are accessible to some degree, but please call (818) 597-9192,
ext. 201 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.
Visitation
Mountains:
Highest in spring; Lowest in summer
Beaches:
Highest in summer; Lowest in winter
Special Events Programs
Volunteer Program:
There are numerous opportunities for volunteer service. For information
about volunteering with the National Park Service contact the Volunteer
Coordinator Mike Malone at (818) 597-9192 ext. 205
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 (818) 597-1036 ext.232,
the California Department of Parks and Recreation 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 (818) 597-1036, ext. 247.
Special Events:
February
Juan Bautista de Anza en Calabasas Pageant
Malibu Creek State Park
Commemorations of de Anza's 1776 journey.
State Park Entrance fee.
May
Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest
Paramount Ranch Site
Traditional music and folk art booths.
Fee.
May-October
(2nd Sundays)
Sunday Concerts in the Park
Peter Strauss Ranch Site
Concerts in a shady outdoor amphitheater.
No fee.
July
Malibu Art Festival
Malibu
An outdoor fine arts and crafts show.
No entrance fee.
July, August
Silents Under the Stars
Paramount Ranch Site
Classic silent movies shown in a historic venue.
Fee.
October
Calabasas Pumpkin Festival
Paramount Ranch Site
Music, crafts, food and pumpkins.
Fee.
November
Backbone Trail Month
Backbone Trail
Dedication of new trail segment and hikes.
No fee.
Request Outdoors calendar for a complete listing of these special events and other activities.
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
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
30401 Agoura Road, Suite 100
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 597-9192 ext. 201
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