California note
The Santa Monica Mountains give Ventura County coast and canyon choices
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area links Ventura and Los Angeles county landscapes with beaches, canyons, trails, history, and mountain views.
The Santa Monica Mountains show how close coast, canyon, and city edge can sit in Ventura County. One route can feel like beach country. Another can feel like inland chaparral and ridge views.
The national recreation area includes Malibu beaches, old movie ranches, Native American centers, and more than 500 miles of trails. It stretches through federal, state, local, and private lands in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
That patchwork is part of the beauty, but it also means rules can change from one stop to the next. A beach visit, canyon hike, bike ride, and campground stay may each have different details.
Pick one area first. Then review NPS information and on-site signs before you head out.
Where to see it
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Sources
Sources for this story
Reviewed June 30, 2026
Public sources for the places, events, and details above.
Connected places
Open the local directory
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