Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultural sites, from old movie ranches to Native American centers.
What will you and your family discover?
Photo: NPS
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places.
- LocationCalabasas, CA
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
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Weather now87°F Sunny
- Alerts No active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Archeology
- Birds
- Cats (wild)
- Climate Change
- Farming and Agriculture
- Fire
- Fossils and Paleontology
6 more topics
- Geology
- Homesteading
- Mountains
- Ranches
- Schools and Education
- Westward Expansion
Things to Do
15 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Camping
- Biking
- Horse Trekking
- Climbing
- Junior Ranger Program
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Compass and GPS
- Front-Country Hiking
- Geocaching
- Horseback Riding
Show 3 more activities
Camping
1 campground listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.
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Circle X Ranch Group Campground
Reservable Campground
Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed until further notice. There is no estimated re-opening date. Are you searching for a weekend getaway with mountain overlooks…
Reserve on Recreation.gov- Hiking
- Biking
- Climbing
- Picnicking
Details
Fees: 10-30 people $35 per night 31-50 people $75 per night 51-75 people $125 per night
Overview
Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed until further notice. There is no estimated re-opening date.
Are you searching for a weekend getaway with mountain overlooks and sunny, sandy beaches? Your vacation destination may be a short drive from Los Angeles, California! Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers many opportunities to shake off the stresses of city life and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.
Recreation
Travel one of the many trails that wind through this rare coastal Mediterranean ecosystem. The plants you see here, such as coastal sage scrub and mixed chaparral, are adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Keep an eye out for red shank chaparral, a tree-like shrub with reddish-brown bark, clusters of thread-like leaves, and small bunches of white flowers in July and August.
From the dry, rocky slopes near Sandstone Peak to the lush fern-studded Grotto, Circle X Ranch provides a wide variety of recreational possibilities. Linger here for a while, and experience the ambiance of this secluded mountain retreat.Facilities
Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed until further notice. There is no estimated re-opening date.
Located below the Ranger Contact Station at Cirlce X Ranch. Check-in here with park staff before heading down to your campsite.
Natural Features
Tucked in the canyons above Malibu and nestled below majestic Boney Mountain, you will find Circle X Ranch. This former Boy Scout camp offers many opportunities for exploration and adventure. Journey to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, and see several of the Channel Islands on a clear day. Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a creekside picnic. Reserve the Group Camp and listen to coyote songs at night.Nearby Attractions
Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a picnic at the trailhead next to the campground. Grotto Trail 3.5 miles round trip, moderate to strenuous; no bikes, no horses. This trail traverses hillsides and leads down to the West Fork of the Arroyo Sequit. The trail is downhill from the Ranger Station, which means an uphill return. The Grotto area is rugged terrain; be careful and wear appropriate hiking attire. The last 1/8 mile is through an unimproved streambed and dogs are not allowed. The Ranger Contact Station can provide you with free hiking maps of Circle X Ranch. A publication of park-led activites for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is also available. Vists to nearby Malibu and the Pacific Ocean are just a short drive way.
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
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Santa Monica Mountains Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center
Facility
The Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center features a bookstore managed by Western National Parks Association. You can purchase memorabilia, guidebooks, puppets…
26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, CA (805) 370-2301 Directions
Details
The Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center features a bookstore managed by Western National Parks Association. You can purchase memorabilia, guidebooks, puppets and more. It also features interactive exhibits and has a small theater where a park film is shown. -
Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center
Facility
Located at the southern end of the community of Newbury Park, this site reflects the heritage of both Native Americans and local ranching. The Satwiwa Native American…
Via Goleta, Newbury Park, CA, 91320, Newbury Park, CA (805) 370-2301 Directions
Details
Located at the southern end of the community of Newbury Park, this site reflects the heritage of both Native Americans and local ranching. The Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center is open on weekends from 9am to 4pm. Native American workshops and programs occur throughout the year.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Open 24 hours, daily · Park Sites
Hours details
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Park SitesOpen 24 hours, daily
The park sites are open year-round. Our parking lots are open from 8 am to sunset.
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Weather
87°F
Sunny · feels like 87°
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Today
97° 60°
Sunny3% rain
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Tomorrow
96° 71°
Sunny1% rain
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Saturday
98° 77°
Sunny1% rain
Updated 3 hr ago
What to expect by season
Summers are hot and dry while winters are cool and wet.
Contact the park
Photos
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Malibu Creek Overlook — NPS -
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Getting There
Calabasas, CA 91302
There are multiple trailheads around the park, so there is not one main entrance. You can begin your visit at the visitor center, located off Mulholland Highway in Calabasas.
Full directions
The Santa Monica Mountains are traversed by the 405 Freeway on the east side; crowned by the 101 Freeway on the north and west side; and Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), on the southern ocean border.
Mailing address: 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, CA 91302
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