• Afternoon clouds cover the distance peaks of the iconic Boney Mountain

    Santa Monica Mountains

    National Recreation Area California

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  • Partial Park Closure Due to Hazardous Conditions

    Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa re-opens 5/14/13, with restrictions (sunrise to sunset, not all trails). Sandstone Peak & Mishe Mokwa trails will also open, as will Backbone Trail east of Point Mugu State Park boundary. Point Mugu backcountry remains closed. More »

  • Trucks on Cheeseboro Canyon Trail

    Occasional truck traffic (approx 6 trips per day) will take place on Cheeseboro Cyn Trail weekdays between 8am & 4pm for demolition and removal of Cheeseboro Tank. Should be completed by 5/24/13. Check back for updates or call 818-889-8996. More »

Monthly Birdwalks

Birdwalks happening throughout the Santa Monica Mountains.

1st Sunday of the month:

Topanga State Park, Sierra Club, 8:30am

2nd Saturday:

Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Preserve, SF Valley Audubon, 8:00am

Franklin Canyon, MRCA, 4:00pm

2nd Sunday:

King Gillette Ranch, NPS, 8:00am

3rd Sunday:

Malibu Creek State Park, SF Valley Audubon, 8:00am

4th Saturday:

Franklin Canyon, WODOC, 8:00am

4th Sunday:

Malibu Lagoon, SM Bay Aud, 8:30am (adults), 10:00am (kids/parents)

Did You Know?

Backbone trail hikes lead to views of mountains, canyons, and the Pacific Ocean.

Piece by piece, a trail is forging its way along the "backbone" of the recreation area. California State Parks took the first step toward a 65-mile Backbone Trail in 1978. With 5 miles left to go, single track trails and fireroads will unite this patchwork of public parklands from east to west.