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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Designation: National Recreation Area

Location: California

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. 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?

🌤 Weather Information

Summers are hot and dry while winters are cool and wet.

🚗 Directions

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. 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.

Images

Sunbeams reaching from glowing sun over the ocean.

Point Mugu Sunset

Credit: NPS

Trail view with yellow flowers in the foreground that lead to green mountains against a blue sky.

Zuma Canyon in spring.

Credit: NPS

Mountain silhouettes at sunrise.

View from Sandstone Peak at Sunrise

Credit: NPS

Wispy cloud covered sky over chaparral covered mountains.

Malibu Creek Overlook

Credit: NPS

People riding horses into the sunset on a mountain trail.

Equestrians on Trail

Credit: NPS

Rocks emerging from ocean.

Leo Carrillo Beach

Credit: NPS

Two individuals sitting atop a rocky outcrop while watching the sun set.

Sunset Views

Credit: NPS

Milky way shines in night sky over a mountain and oak tree.

Paramount Ranch Night Sky

Credit: NPS

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Monday, Mar 30

Sunny

Sunny

High: 77°F | Low: 52.7°F

Humidity: 62%

Wind: 7.6 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 1.4

Sunrise: 06:45 AM

Sunset: 07:15 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (90%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 56.6°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Tuesday, Mar 31

Overcast

Overcast

High: 66.2°F | Low: 57°F

Humidity: 82%

Wind: 12.3 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 1.1

Sunrise: 06:43 AM

Sunset: 07:15 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (95%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 56.6°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Apr 1

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

High: 61.3°F | Low: 55.1°F

Humidity: 86%

Wind: 11.2 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 1.8

Sunrise: 06:42 AM

Sunset: 07:16 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (99%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 54.6°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Trailhead Parking Lots CLOSED Park Closure
All trailhead parking lots are closed today, due to expected heavy storms. Paramount Ranch, Rancho Sierra Vista, and Solstice Canyon remain open. This may change, depending on environmental conditions.
Updated Parking Lot Closures List Park Closure
The following parking lots remain closed: Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyon, the overflow lot at Peter Strauss Ranch, and Rocky Oaks.
Temporary Closure of Main Entrance at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa Information
Starting August 25, the main entrance to Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa will be closed for gate installation, but the area and hiking trails remain open with alternative parking at Wendy Trailhead. Entrance will reopen on August 28.
Trail Closure Information
Etz Meloy Motorway and the Backbone Trail bypass construction east of Yerba Buena Road are closed to the public
2014 Fire Restrictions
Due to high fire danger, fire and smoking restrictions are now in effect on all National Park Service land in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. For details, please download the public notice or call 805-370-2301.
Visitor Center Closure Park Closure
Due to the weather forecast, the Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center will be closed on Wednesday, December 24. It will also be closed on Thursday, December 25 for the holiday. We will reopen on Friday, December 26.
Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center Update Information
The Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center will be closed on weekends until further notice due to ongoing facility improvements. We appreciate your patience as we work to enhance the visitor experience.
Temporary Closure of Main Entrance at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa Information
Starting August 25, the main entrance to Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa will be closed for gate installation, but the area and hiking trails remain open with alternative parking at Wendy Trailhead. Entrance will reopen on August 28.
Sostomo Trail at Solstice Canyon Park Closure
The Sostomo Trail is currently closed due mudslides and downed trees following the February 17 storm. The Rising Sun, TRW Loop, and Solstice Canyon trails are open to hikers.

More Info

King Gillette Ranch Visitor Center Closed Until Further Notice Park Closure
The Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch is closed until further notice. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.
Trail Repairs at Franklin Canyon Information
Trail repairs will begin on Monday, September 29, on the Hastain Trail. Expect weekday closures Mon–Thurs on the southern switchbacks and eastern Discovery Trail. Trails remain open Fri–Sun. Park closes at sunset. Work will shift to Discovery Trail after Hastain is complete. Project is expected to last ~3 months, weather permitting.

More Info

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
26876 Mulholland Highway
Calabasas, CA 91302

🏤 Mailing Address:
26876 Mulholland Highway
Calabasas, CA 91302

📞 Voice Phone: 8053702301

✉️ Email: samo_interpretation@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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