Los Angeles National Parks

Los Angeles National Parks Overview

On March 1 1872, President Ulysses Grant signed into existence the world's first national park. Since then, hundreds more have been established. These parks are awe inspiring natural wonders and offer glipses into our history. California has several of these National Parks and Monuments. Santa Monica Mountains is the only National Recreation Area in the Los Angeles region.

TIP:The National Park Service offers FEE FREE DAYS to some National Parks on select weekends through the Summer. Use this link to view available dates.

Los Angeles National Parks
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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is located between highway 1 and 101 and between Thousand Oaks and Santa Monica. It is an outdoor playground on the edge of a major metropolitan city. The Santa Monica Mountains meet the ocean to the south and rise to over 2,000 feet. Activities include camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, bird & whale watching, swimming, surfing, nature walks and picnicking. Four State Parks are contained within the park including Point Mugu, Malibu Creek, Topanga and Leo Carrillo. The property has been used by Hollywood over the years to film movies such as M.A.S.H. and Planet of the Apes. You can find peaceful creeks and hidden waterfalls in the many canyons that carve the landscape.

TIP: ParkLink Shuttle offers $1 one way shuttles throughout the Santa Monica Mountains. Hikers and bikers use this service to obtain downhill only excursions.

Santa Monica Mountains NRA
401 West Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91358
(805) 370-2301
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