Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area - Self Guided (U.S. National Park Service)

National Park Service sites throughout the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area are available to groups for self guided programs. Sites like Paramount Ranch, Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa, and Peter Strauss Ranch can accommodate larger groups and have picnic and other facilities available.

What you need to know before you come.

You or your agency will need to provide the transportation for your group to and from the national park site.
Contact the park visitor center (805-370-2301) and the Education Office (805-370-2348) to be sure that the site has no scheduled events, closures, or activities that may conflict with your visit. Also, make sure the site can accommodate your group. Sites can only be reserved by permit for self guided visits.
You may want to plan a pre-visit to the site-- explore the trails, plan for picnicking, and look at facilities. Call or visit the visitor center or use this website to get maps and information about the site.
The national park sites are large and unfamilliar to many students. For the safety of students, we recommend at least 1 adult per 10 students to help provide organization and safety.

Some basic rules to review with students and adult leaders:
All natural resources are protected. Picking or collecting flowers, plants, rocks or any other park resource is not permitted.
All animals are protected. Collecting or harrassing animals is not permitted.
All cultural resources are protected. Collecting or damaging park buildings, structures, facilities or any cultural object is not permitted.
When you leave the site, there should be no evidence of your visit left behind. Place all trash in available recepticles. Collect all the games, equipment, or other items that you brought with your group.