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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Coyote coats blend easily with the grasslands, so they are not easy to spot.
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Public Notice - Fire Restrictions Now in Effect

2010 fire restrictions are now in effect until state or local fire officials declare the 2010 fire season closed. Click the link below for more information.
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Welcome to the Santa Monica Mountains
Enjoy your visit!

Summer months bring warmer weather. Remember to carry water while visiting the park.

Emergency Closure
"The Grotto" Climbing Area at Echo Cliffs - Circle X Ranch

The emergency closure is required to protect sensitive natural resources damaged by recreational climbing. The restriction will remain in effect until 4/30/11. Click below for the official notice.
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A ranger talks to three visitors at Solstice Canyon near the amphitheater.

Upcoming Events!

  • 8/28/2010, 6:00PM: Kathy and Steven Garcia will bring their family out for northern traditional dancing and fancy shawl dancing at Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center. Bring a flashlight. All ages welcome. FREE
  • 9/4/2010, 9:00am: Learn how not to have a sorry adventure in the Santa Monica Mountains on a ranger-led hike at Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa. Great for scouts or beginning hikers. FREE
  • 9/5/2010, 9:30AM: Join a ranger and learn how illusions and hard work turn a dusty set into a realistic town on this walking tour of Paramount Ranch. FREE
  • 9/5/2010, 10AM - 12PM & 1PM - 3PM: Learn how to make tule dolls with Julia Bogany at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center. All ages welcome.
  • 9/12/2010, 1:30PM: Ever want to know what's at Peter Strauss Ranch? Then join a ranger as you discover the rich history of this historic site. Meet at the kiosk. FREE
  • 9/12/2010, 3PM - 5PM: Spend a Sunday afternoon at Peter Strauss Ranch and enjoy music sponsored by the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival, Inc. and the National Park Service. FREE
  • 9/18/2010, 2PM: Come to the National Park Service Visitor Center and listen to Antonio Sanchez, co-owner of Nopalito Native Plant Nursery as he talks about how to use some of our most attractive local plants in your garden. FREE
  • 9/18/2010, 6:30PM: Take a 1.5-mile loop hike with a park ranger at Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa and see what animals come out at dusk. If we are lucky, we'll hear the coyotes howl on our trip. Bring a flashlight. FREE
  • 9/19/2010, 10AM - 12PM & 1PM - 3PM: Come make a dreamcatcher with Wichita guest host Michael Willams at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center. All ages welcome. FREE
  • 9/25/2010, 9:00AM - 1:00PM: Join us for the 2010 National Public Lands Day at Franklin Canyon. This is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. Click here to download the flyer for more info.

Get all of the upcoming activities in the Santa Monica Mountains with the OUTDOORS Calendar of Events. Click here to download the current issue!

There are plenty of Things to Do in the Recreation Area. Find out more...
 
Sunset is an image taken by Spirit of the Mountains Participant Jim Gross.

2010 Spirit of the Mountains Photo Contest

Share the wonder of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area with other. Enter the Spirit of the Mountains Photo Contest. Let your photographic imagination capture the essence of this hidden jewel.

Rules, regulations, and entry form for this year's photo contest are now available. Submit your photos between September 1 - September 30.

Click here for the contest page.
 
Two hikers enjoy a picturesque view from the top of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Find out "What we are doing!"

Are you wondering if all the park sites are open? Would you like updates on recent studies and articles about the park? Would you like recommendations for great hikes and special events?

Here's your chance to get live updates from rangers in the recreation area. Visit our Virtual Bulletin Board on Our Facebook Fan Page or on Twitter. It is a free service.

 
 
National Park Service interns and volunteers contribute thousands of hours of time to the benefit our parklands while gaining valuable experience.

Volunteer Opportunities in the Park

You can make a difference in your national parks! Learn how you can volunteer:

College Internships
High School Internships
Help Kids Learn and Assist Visitors
Other Volunteer Opportunities
 
 

Write to

401 West Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Center
(805) 370-2301

Headquarters
(805) 370-2300

Fax

(805) 370-2350

Climate

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is in a Mediterranean climate region-- known for long hot summers and mild wet winters. Milder temperatures exist along the Pacific Coast. Temperatures tend to warm up as you travel inland. Get current weather.>>
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Watch the credits a the end of a film and you may discover how often national parks are used by the movie industry.

Did You Know?
Unique vistas and cultural significance often draw filmmakers to National Parks. Paramount Ranch is the only place in the National Park System where you can see movie making in action at a historic movie ranch once owned by Paramount Pictures (1927).
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