- State: CA
- NPCA Region: Pacific
- Est. Date: 1978
Air Quality Conditions
View the Polluted Parks ReportVisibility
Unsatisfactory
Health
Significant Concern
Nature
Significant Concern
The world’s largest urban national park can be found in the backyard of Los Angeles. The park's 150,000 acres span lush Mediterranean and coastal marine ecosystems, providing habitat to more than 1,000 different plant and 500 animal species. Hike trails, enjoy city views, see spectacular beaches and waterfalls, learn about American Indian cultures, and tour a working film set.
-
Blog Post
Nearby Nature: 10 Easy Getaways
Need more time outdoors? You might not have to travel as far as you think.
-
Press Release
Grand Canyon and Santa Monica Mountains among beneficiaries of public lands act
The ambitious Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act will safeguard famous park sites while combatting climate change and addressing environmental justice priorities
More about Santa Monica Mountains
Filter By
-
Read more about Support the Proposed Rim of the Valley Expansion
NPCA at Work Support the Proposed Rim of the Valley Expansion With more than 17 million people, the Los Angeles Metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the country, yet it has less open space than any other large urban area on the West Coast. The Rim of the Valley proposal, which would expand Santa Monica National Recreation Area, represents an opportunity for the National Park Service to protect some of the last wild lands and historic sites in the greater Los Angeles area.
-
Read more about The Lost History of Los Pobladores
Blog Post The Lost History of Los Pobladores We have a new opportunity to preserve the little-known stories of Los Angeles’ Black founders
-
Read more about House Approves 1.3 Million Acres of Wilderness, Adds Over 1,000 Miles into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
Press Release House Approves 1.3 Million Acres of Wilderness, Adds Over 1,000 Miles into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Lands package includes an expansion to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, over 600,000 acres of new wilderness in Colorado and expanded waterway and wilderness protections near Olympic National Park
-
Read more about Senate Advances Legislation to Expand Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Press Release Senate Advances Legislation to Expand Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area The Rim of the Valley Preservation Act would add stunning landscapes, critical wildlife areas, waterways and historic treasures to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
-
Read more about Position on H.R. 1708, H.R. 2546 & H.R. 2642
Policy Update Position on H.R. 1708, H.R. 2546 & H.R. 2642 NPCA submitted the following positions to members of the House Committee on Natural Resources ahead of a markup scheduled for November 20, 2019.
-
Read more about BLM Plan Proposes Opening 1.2 Million Acres in California to Fracking, Threatening Parks and Monuments
Press Release BLM Plan Proposes Opening 1.2 Million Acres in California to Fracking, Threatening Parks and Monuments Cesar E. Chavez National Monument, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area are among the public lands that could see oil and gas development nearby if the BLM’s plan advances.
-
Read more about NPCA King Gillette Hike
Video NPCA King Gillette Hike For people to become protectors of our national parks, they must first have opportunities to know and love them. NPCA’s Los Angeles team including Young Leaders Council members recently explored Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area with San Fernando Valley community members, and reflected on our work to connect people with parks and help empower park advocates.
-
Read more about After the Fire
Magazine Article After the Fire Months after a devastating fire consumed 100,000 acres in and around Los Angeles’ Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, a traveler finds new life and beauty among the ruins.
-
Read more about Santa Monica Mountains Park Ranger Honored with Stephen T. Mather Award
Press Release Santa Monica Mountains Park Ranger Honored with Stephen T. Mather Award “I love that the national parks are acknowledging and working toward becoming more reflective and representative of our country's beautiful diversity -- which makes us stronger” -- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Ranger and Stephen T. Mather Award recipient Antonio Solorio.
-
Read more about 11 of America’s Best National Park Beaches
Blog Post 11 of America’s Best National Park Beaches Need some sun and surf in your travel plans? NPCA staff highlight top beach vacation spots at national parks around the country.
-
Read more about The Lion Catcher
Magazine Article The Lion Catcher Biologist Eric York lived to help wild carnivores, but he didn’t get a chance to finish his life’s work.
-
Read more about Congressman Schiff, Senator Feinstein Announce Legislation to Expand Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Press Release Congressman Schiff, Senator Feinstein Announce Legislation to Expand Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area The Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, introduced by Representative Adam Schiff and Senator Dianne Feinstein, would expand the boundary of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to include sites ranging from Griffith Park to the Santa Clarita Valley.
-
Read more about Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study Area
Interactive Map Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study Area
-
Read more about Community Support for Rim of the Valley
Talking Points Community Support for Rim of the Valley Community Comments on National Park Service, Rim of the Valley Study, April 2015
-
Read more about Center for State of the Parks: Mediterranean Biome
Report Center for State of the Parks: Mediterranean Biome Recognizing the unique natural and cultural resources resident in the Mediterranean biome, the Center for State of the Parks has endeavored to determine the conditions of natural and cultural resources in Channel Islands National Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Cabrillo National Monument.
Donate
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now