- 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.
-
Magazine Article
Killer on the Road
Cars helped make national parks America’s most beloved landscapes — and wreaked havoc on wildlife. What will it take to repair the damage?
-
Blog Post
Celebrating Places and Stories Within Nature: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
The third video in a new series showcases community activist Araceli Hernandez and her work to increase access to outdoor spaces in her community.
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 Court Upholds Ventura County Ordinances to Safeguard Wildlife Connectivity
Press Release Court Upholds Ventura County Ordinances to Safeguard Wildlife Connectivity Habitat connectivity is crucial for the survival of mountain lions, gray foxes, California red-legged frogs and other wildlife in and around Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area.
-
Read more about Nearby Nature: 10 Easy Getaways
Blog Post Nearby Nature: 10 Easy Getaways Need more time outdoors? You might not have to travel as far as you think.
-
Read more about Park Talks
Regional Events Park Talks Join our NPCA community for virtual "Park Talks" to learn about our work and ways you can get involved.
-
Read more about From the Gold Rush to the COVID Pandemic: A History of Anti-Asian Violence
Blog Post From the Gold Rush to the COVID Pandemic: A History of Anti-Asian Violence Last week’s mass-shootings in Atlanta were shocking and tragic — yet this kind of horror is not new. Anti-Asian violence is deeply rooted in American culture.
-
Read more about Grand Canyon and Santa Monica Mountains among beneficiaries of public lands act
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
-
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 Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study Area
Interactive Map Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study Area View a map of natural and cultural features.
-
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