Santa Monica Mountains

The Santa Monica Mountains are a transverse coastal range in Southern California that run roughly 40 miles (about 64 kilometers) from the Hollywood Hills west to Point Mugu. The range reaches the Pacific Ocean and contains peaks, ridges and coastal canyons with the highest point at Sandstone Peak (3,111 feet / 948 meters).

The area is a regional outdoor recreation destination with dozens of trailheads, picnic areas and viewpoints; established multi-use routes include the Backbone Trail, a long-distance trail of about 67 miles (108 kilometers). Popular activities include day hikes, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding and scenic drives that offer views of the ocean, city and ridgelines.

Substantial protected land exists within the range, including state parks and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, which conserves coastal habitats and open space inside Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Many coastal overlooks around Malibu and Point Mugu provide direct ocean views while inland trails open onto chaparral slopes and oak woodlands.

The Santa Monica Mountains are part of the Transverse Ranges and were formed by tectonic uplift and folding of Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks. Indigenous peoples lived in the area for millennia and European settlement, ranching and later urban development changed land use; federal and state protections were put in place in the late 20th century to conserve large parts of the range.

The range sits immediately north of the Pacific coast in southwestern Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County, within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. It extends from the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park in the east westward to Point Mugu and the Pacific in Ventura County.

• Best time to visit: Known for spring wildflower displays and coastal views; late winter to spring is prime for wildflower viewing and lower heat for long hikes.
• Good viewpoints: Several paved and unpaved roads such as Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway provide popular scenic overlooks of the range and coastline.
• Notable measurements: Highest summit is Sandstone Peak at 3,111 ft (948 m); the Backbone Trail runs about 67 miles (108 km) across the mountains.

What to See #

• Sandstone Peak (highest point): The highest peak in the range, reaching 3,111 feet (948 meters), and the site of many marked trails and lookout points.
• Backbone Trail: A multi-use long-distance route crossing much of the range, running about 67 miles (108 kilometers) and used by hikers and mountain bikers.
• Major parks and recreation areas: Large protected areas and parks including state parks and the federal Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area that conserve coastal and inland habitats.