Day Trip Santa Monica Mountains: Sun, Trails, and Coastal Views

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is the perfect destination for a day trip, offering year-round access and a stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. It combines over 150,000 acres of soft rolling hills, rugged mountains, wooded backcountry, and sandy beaches. Located just a short drive from Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains are the largest urban national park in the United States. A seamless system of federal, state, and local parklands, SMMNRA features endless outdoor activities.

Fun Things To Do in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area

Begin your trip at the SMMNRA Visitor Center at the intersection of King Gillette Ranch, Las Virgenes Road, and Mulholland Highway. The Ranch is an excellent starting point, featuring a gift shop and a variety of interactive exhibits that educate visitors about the history, ecology, and wildlife of the Santa Monica Mountains. Additionally, there is a large interactive recreation area map complete with a trip planner and details about available activities. The address is 26800 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, California. Visit the website for more information.

Santa Monica Mountains NRA Area Hiking

The SMMNRA boasts over 500 miles of trails, ranging from easy strolls to challenging climbs. Trails showcase coastal cliffs, oak woodlands, and chaparral landscapes. Popular trails include Sandstone Peak (Mishe Mokwa Trail), Malibu Creek State Park (MASH Trail), and Zuma Canyon Trail. Most trailheads have free parking lots, but popular spots like Malibu Creek State Park or Sandstone Peak fill up early on weekends. Arrive by 8 AM to secure a place. The Backbone Trail System stretches for nearly 70 miles across the park. Hikers can expect stunning ocean views, hidden canyons, oak woodlands, and fantastic rock formations along the trail. Camping areas are few along the path, so it’s best to plan multiple visits to enjoy the entire route.

Scenic Overlooks and Vista Points

The SMMNRA’s coastal and mountain vantage points offer some of Southern California’s best views. These spots are easily accessible by short walks or drives, making them perfect for a relaxed day.

Point Dume State Beach: In Malibu, Point Dume is a coastal bluff with a sandy trail leading to a dramatic overlook. You’ll see the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Bay, and possibly dolphins or whales (gray whales migrate through the area from April to October). The adjacent beach is great for a stroll or a picnic. Parking is available at the Point Dume lot ($12) or along Westward Beach Road (free, with limited availability).

Castro Crest in the Santa Monica Mountains: Castro Crest offers breathtaking views of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Pacific coastline, and the surrounding inland valleys. The Backbone Trail provides short segments to high points, or you can drive to pullouts like Latigo Canyon Road for quick vistas. Castro Crest is accessible via a 1- to 2-mile round-trip hike or by viewing points along Mulholland Highway.

SMMNRA Cultural & Historical Sites

The SMMNRA is rich in history, from Native American heritage to Hollywood’s golden age. These sites are accessible and educational, adding depth to visitors.

Peter Strauss Ranch: Visitors to Peter Strauss Ranch enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in the Santa Monica Mountains. There are several hiking trails, and the original ranch house is still on the property. During the 1930s, way before Disneyland, this property was used as a resort called Shomon. The park had the largest swimming pool west of the Rockies, a vast dance floor, and amusement park rides. After a dam was built across Triunfo Creek, creating Lake Enchanto, the early theme park was renamed Enchanto.—address: 30000 Mulholland Hwy, Agoura Hills, California.

Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center: Located in Newbury Park, this center celebrates Chumash and Gabrielino-Tongva cultures. It features a small museum with artifacts, a traditional Chumash dome dwelling (ap), and cultural exhibits. Admission is free, and the center is open from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekends.

Paramount Ranch: This 2,700-acre site in Agoura Hills has served as a Western movie set since the 1920s, hosting films such as The Virginian and TV shows like Westworld. Unfortunately, one of the main attractions of the Ranch, Western Town, was destroyed by fire. All that remains are the church and the train depot buildings. Picnic areas and hiking trails make Paramount Ranch a popular destination.

Malibu Creek State Park: Most of the park’s trails are well-marked and graded for easy hiking if you follow the primary fire service roads. One of the more popular areas within Malibu State Park is just a gentle two-mile hike from the park entrance. Originally the archaeological site of a Chumash village, 25 years after the most-watched series finale in television history aired, the outdoor set of M*A*S*H has been restored and reopened to the public.—1925 Las Virgenes Rd, Calabasas, California.

Adamson House, Malibu Lagoon State Beach

This architectural marvel is adorned with thousands of ornate tiles and is situated on two acres of prime Southern California real estate. Also on the property is the Malibu Lagoon Museum adjacent to the Adamson House. The museum features a collection of artifacts, rare photographs, and documents that depict Malibu’s rich and colorful history. Address: 23200 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, California.

Getting There: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

SMMNRA is just off the Ventura Freeway, approximately 51 miles from downtown Los Angeles. The area provides a seamless system of federal, state, and local parklands, with places for outdoor activities such as biking, birding, camping, horseback riding, and hiking.

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