Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Custom Search Santa Monica Mountains rise above Los Angeles, widen to meet the curve of Santa Monica Bay and reach their highest peaks facing the ocean, forming a beautiful and multi-faceted landscape. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a cooperative effort that joins federal, state and local park agencies with private preserves and landowners to protect the natural and cultural resources of this transverse mountain range and seashore. Located in a Mediterranean ecosystem, the Santa Monica Mountains contain a wide variety of plants and wildlife. The mountains also have an interesting and diverse cultural history which begins with the Chumash and Gabrielino/Tongva peoples and continues today in 'L.A.'s backyard.'     CONTACTS Email - SAMO_interpretation@nps.gov Fax- (805)370-1850 Write to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area 401 West Hillcrest Drive Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 - or - California State Parks 1925 Las Virgenes Road Calabasas, CA 91302 Phone Headquarters Recorded Message - (805) 370-2300 Visitor Information - (805) 370-2301 Education OfficesRecorded Message - (805) 370-2348 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons The National Park Service Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The Visitor Center contains a bookstore which is open during the same hours. VISITATION: Mountains: Highest in spring; Lowest in summer Beaches: Highest in summer; Lowest in winter Getting There PLANE - Nearby Airports include the Los Angeles International Airport and the Hollywood/Burbank Airport. CAR - The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is located west of Griffith Park in Los Angeles County and to the east of the Oxnard Plain in Ventura County. U.S. Highway 101 (Ventura Freeway) borders the mountains on the north, and State Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) and the Pacific Ocean form the southern boundary. Access to most park areas is available via many roads that cross the mountains between these two major highways. A portion of the park also stretches into the Simi Hills, north of U.S. Highway 101. The National Park Service Visitor Center is located at 401 West Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks, California. 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. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Public Transportation is available through: Thousand Oaks Transit (800) 438-1112 in Thousand Oaks and Vista in Ventura County. Weather & Climate The Santa Monica Mountains have a true Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers (80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and relatively cool, wet winters (40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit). Nights can be cool any time of the year. In the summer, the coastal side of the mountains is generally 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the inland side. In the winter this pattern is reversed with warmer temperatures along the coast. Layer your clothing to be comfortable anywhere in the mountains. For safety and comfort, use a hat, sunscreen and appropriate shoes or boots. Accessibility Various tours, programs, and trails are accessible or partially accessible to persons with disabilities. Contact our Visitor Center for a list of Accessible sites in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Sometimes changes in weather will make a trail less accessible. Use your best judgement before embarking on a trail that looks potentially inaccessible. Please contact the park visitor center to find out more details on accessiblity of our trails and programs. The National Park Visitor Center in Thousand Oaks and the Satwiwa Culture Center are fully accessible. Both of these centers have accessible exhibits. Getting Around Traveling by car is the most convenient way to get around the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Maps are available for planning your visit. FEES/PERMITS Special Use Permits CAMPING California State Parks Campgrounds Open All Year There are 4 California State Parks in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Their facilities vary. Most require reservations. For More Information on this campground please call 818-880-0350 Circle X Group Campground (10-75 people) Open All Year Reservation Required. Located on Yerba Buena Road in Malibu. Has trails leading to the highest points in the Santa Monica Mountain Range. Drinking water, pit toilets, tent spaces are available. Pets are permitted For More Information on this campground please call 805-370-2300, Ext. 1702 LODGING There are no lodging facilities in the Santa Monica Mountains NRA Please explore local chambers of commerce or use a search engine to find lodging. Cities with lodging convenient to the Santa Monica Mountains include: Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Malibu, Santa Monica, Woodland Hills, Westlake Village, Calabasas, Encino, Newbury Park, Camarillo, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Bel Air, Brentwood, Simi Valley. FACILITIES Visitor Centers HEADQUARTERS VISITOR CENTER Open All Year 9 AM- 5 PM Phone - 805-370-2301 Location - 401 West Hillcrest Drive Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 Closures - Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day Exhibits - Mountains to Ocean is an exhibit that will guide you through the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It features interactive displays and historical art work. Available Facilities - Audio/Visual Room, Restrooms   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.   Campgrounds Near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Camp Westoaks, Thousand Oaks, 1 miles away Camp Jca Sholom, Malibu, 7 miles away Camp Keystone, Agoura Hills, 7 miles away Leo Carillo State Park, Los Angeles, 10 miles away Leo Carrillo Campground, Los Angeles County, 10 miles away RV Sand and Sea, Malibu, 10 miles away Lazy J Ranch Camp, Malibu, 10 miles away   Marinas Near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Acebo Marina, Winnetka , 20 miles away   Hotels Near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Quality Inn & Suites Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks , 2 miles away BEST WESTERN PLUS Thousand Oaks Inn, Thousand Oaks , 2 miles away Hmptn Inn and Suites Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks , 3 miles away La Quinta Inn & Suites Thousand Oaks Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks , 3 miles away Palm Garden Hotel, Thousand Oaks , 3 miles away Courtyard Thousand Oaks Ventura County, Thousand Oaks , 4 miles away TownePlace Suites Thousand Oaks Ventura County, Thousand Oaks , 4 miles away   Trails Near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Whiteacre Peak Trail, Ventura County , 18 miles away, 4.5 hiking miles, 1954 feet elevation difference Pothole Trail, Ventura County , 19 miles away,  10.6 hiking miles, 2168 feet elevation difference Last Chance Trail, Ventura County , 20 miles away,  11.8 hiking miles, 4251 feet elevation difference   Beaches Near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Encinal Beach, Los Angeles County , 10 miles away Trancas Beach, Los Angeles County , 10 miles away South Beach, Los Angeles County , 10 miles away North Beach, Ventura County , 11 miles away Yerba Buena Beach, Ventura County , 11 miles away   Ski Areas Near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Mt Waterman, California , 77 miles away, 1300 foot drop, 3 lifts, 10 runs Mountain High, California , 82 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 16 lifts, 62 runs Ski Sunrise, California , 82 miles away, 816 foot drop, 4 lifts, 24 runs Mt. Baldy, California , 86 miles away, 2100 foot drop, 4 lifts, 28 runs Shirley Meadow, California , 88 miles away, 600 foot drop, 3 lifts, 7 runs   Whitewater Near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Piru Creek, Ventura County , 16 miles away, Class II - 4 miles long (Lake Piru to Santa Clara River) Piru Creek, Los Angeles / Ventura County , 26 miles away, Class IV - 15 miles long (Pyramid Lake to Lake Piru) Sespe Creek, Ventura County , 28 miles away, Class IV-V - 31.5 miles long (Lion Campground to Highway 126 bridge)   Public Lands Near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Channel Islands National Park, Ventura - CA , 29 miles away Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, California , 10 miles away Leo Carrillo State Park, California , 10 miles away Point Mugu State Park, California , 11 miles away Malibu Creek State Park, California , 11 miles away   Golf Courses Near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Los Robles Greens Golf Course, Thousand Oaks , 2 miles away Sunset Hills Country Club, Thousand Oaks , 2 miles away Tierra Rejada Golf Course, Moorpark , 4 miles away Max Out Golf, Westlake Village , 5 miles away Westlake Golf Course, Westlake Village , 5 miles away   Lakes Near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Lake Eleanor, Ventura County , 4 miles away Lake Piru, Ventura County , 17 miles away