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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation AreaCoyote coats blend easily with the grasslands, so they are not easy to spot.
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QUICKLINKS:

Welcome to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area!

For more information and special restrictions during the 2009 fire season click the link for
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See Yourself in Your National Parks:
America's Best Idea

Shorter days bring cooler mornings to the mountains as fall transitions to winter. As Valley Oaks lose their leaves, the first rains commence the return of spring wildflowers to the Santa Monica Mountains.

Take a moment to explore and share what makes these unique places so important to the fabric of America and the world.


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The Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Music Festival is held yearly at Paramount Ranch. In this image, a trio of players--fiddle, guitar, and banjo-- jam at the old western town movie set.

Upcoming Events!

  • 11/14/2009, 1:30PM: Join us for the opening / awards & landscape photography lecture and photo contest crtique for the 2009 Spirit of the Mountains Photo Contest at our Main Visitor Center.

Get all the upcoming events in the Santa Monica Mountains with the OUTDOORS Calendar of Events here!

There are plenty of Things to Do in the Recreation Area. Find out more...

 
National Public Lands Day Logo for 2008

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

 
 
A ranger talks to three visitors at Solstice Canyon near the amphitheater.

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.

 

 

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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Sue Nelson, Jill Swift, and Margo Feurer were instrumental in the movement to create a national recreation area near Los Angeles.  

Did You Know?
Four state parks were the triumph of a grassroots movement to protect open spaces minutes from Los Angeles in the 1950s & 60s. Three women, Sue Nelson, Jill Swift, and Margo Feuer further galvanized the movement that helped make Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area a reality in 1978.

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Last Updated: November 09, 2009 at 13:53 EST