Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Contact Info

401 West Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Recording:: 805-370-2300
Information:: 805-370-2301

Basics

Location:: Just north of Los Angeles

Type:: National Park

Basic 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 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 401 West Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks, California. From Ventura Freeway (U. S. Highway 101) to Lynn Rd turn north on Lynn road turn east (right) on Hillcrest Drive left onto McCloud Ave. First driveway on the right. If you are going South on the 23 Freeway, exit at the Thousand Oaks Blvd/ Hillcrest Drive exit go west or right onto Hillcrest and turn right onto McCloud.

Description
Hours + Fees
Amenities
Details
Map + Directions

Description

The 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. 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."

Hours + Fees

Hours:

The National Park Service Visitor Center is open daily from 9AM to 5PM. It is closed on some federal holidays, as well as, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’‘s Day. The Visitor Center contains a bookstore which is open during the same hours. Call for current hours or more information: 805-370-2301.

>Address and Directions:
National Park Visitor Center
401 West Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

From Ventura Freeway (U. S. Highway 101) to Lynn Rd turn north on Lynn road turn east (right) on Hillcrest Drive left onto McCloud Ave. First driveway on the right.

If you are going South on the 23 Freeway, exit at the Thousand Oaks Blvd/ Hillcrest Drive exit go west or right onto Hillcrest and turn right onto McCloud.

Season:

Open year round (Visitor center open from 9 am to 5 pm)

Amenities

Amenities:

Modern Restrooms
Visitor Center
Campground
Picnic Area(s)

Details

Additional Details:

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.

Map + Directions

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California Map

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area