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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation AreaTake some time to enjoy the trails and learn something new.
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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Operating Hours & Seasons
 

Operating Hours & Seasons
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.

Visitation:

Mountains: Highest in spring; Lowest in summer
Beaches: Highest in summer; Lowest in winter

 
Weather:

The climate can be quite different depending on the time of year and what side of the mountain range you decide to visit.


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

Did You Know?
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.

Last Updated: May 16, 2009 at 20:37 EST