Things to Do in the Santa Monica Mountains
Santa Monica Mountains is a region in Southern California, recognized as the nation's largest urban national park, providing extensive natural spaces adjacent to a major metropolitan area. This unique east-west trending mountain range features a diverse landscape, including 46 miles of Pacific coastline, oak and sycamore forests, chaparral, and coastal sage. The area's Mediterranean-type ecosystem supports a rich variety of plant and wildlife species, making it a significant destination for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and…
214
Routes
4.7
(218)
Average rating
7140
People visited
5.0
(4)
27
hikers
20.7km
05:58
520m
520m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
28
hikers
8.96km
02:44
340m
270m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
26
hikers
10.3km
03:20
470m
450m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
19
hikers
11.7km
03:35
420m
420m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
224
riders
72.8km
03:44
1,060m
1,060m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(1)
158
riders
59.8km
03:26
1,320m
1,320m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
116
riders
95.7km
04:51
1,270m
1,270m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
106
riders
95.6km
05:06
1,550m
1,550m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
4.7
(10)
128
riders
46.8km
04:31
1,140m
1,140m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(2)
35
riders
34.0km
03:31
1,000m
1,000m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
24
riders
14.9km
01:34
390m
390m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(2)
31
riders
17.7km
01:43
360m
360m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
4.2
(6)
44
riders
42.7km
02:26
100m
100m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
85
riders
30.3km
02:53
750m
750m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
14
riders
50.2km
03:54
1,330m
1,330m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
15
riders
46.1km
04:03
1,070m
1,070m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
69
runners
23.0km
02:56
830m
830m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
38
runners
21.2km
02:15
170m
170m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
35
runners
5.56km
00:48
250m
250m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
27
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
22.4km
01:35
280m
280m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
6.91km
00:33
140m
140m
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
8
riders
26.3km
02:18
790m
790m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
8
riders
29.0km
02:34
850m
850m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Top attractions in the region
Explore the region
Most popular attractions in Santa Monica Mountains
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in the Santa Monica Mountains?
The Santa Monica Mountains offer a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, mountain biking, and gravel biking. The region features over 700 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 54,000 visitors.
What are the most popular hiking trails in the Santa Monica Mountains?
The Santa Monica Mountains feature over 300 hiking routes. Notable trails include the Backbone Trail, which spans nearly 70 miles (113 km) across the range, and routes leading to Sandstone Peak, the highest point at 3,111 feet (948 meters). For more options, explore the Hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains guide.
Are there easy hiking trails in the Santa Monica Mountains?
Yes, the Santa Monica Mountains offer many easy hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels. Solstice Canyon provides easier walks with picturesque features. A dedicated guide for Easy hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains is available.
Are there family-friendly hiking options in the Santa Monica Mountains?
The Santa Monica Mountains provide several trails suitable for families. These routes often feature gentle gradients and points of interest for all ages. Information on specific routes can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains guide.
Are dogs allowed on trails in the Santa Monica Mountains?
Some trails within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area are dog-friendly, typically requiring dogs to be on a leash. Specific regulations vary by park unit and trail. Consult the Dog-friendly hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains guide for suitable routes.
What are the best road cycling routes in the Santa Monica Mountains?
The Santa Monica Mountains offer scenic road cycling routes, including Mulholland Drive, Mulholland Highway, and Kanan Dume Road. These routes traverse the mountains, providing diverse terrain. For detailed routes, refer to the Road Cycling Routes in the Santa Monica Mountains guide.
Where can I find mountain biking trails in the Santa Monica Mountains?
The Santa Monica Mountains feature numerous mountain biking trails, with Cheeseboro Canyon being a popular destination for this sport. The region offers 76 dedicated mountain biking routes. Explore the MTB Trails in the Santa Monica Mountains guide for more options.
Are there running trails available in the Santa Monica Mountains?
Yes, the Santa Monica Mountains provide a variety of trails suitable for jogging and trail running. Las Virgenes Canyon is a favored location for trail running. Over 150 jogging routes are available, and a comprehensive guide for Running Trails in the Santa Monica Mountains can assist in planning.
What natural features or landmarks can be found in the Santa Monica Mountains?
The Santa Monica Mountains are characterized by diverse landscapes, including 46 miles (74 km) of California coastline, oak and sycamore forests, chaparral, and coastal sage. Notable features include Sandstone Peak, waterfalls, and various canyons. The area is also recognized as a significant Mediterranean-type ecosystem.
What komoot guides are available for the Santa Monica Mountains?
Komoot offers several guides for the Santa Monica Mountains, covering various activities and interests. These include guides for Hiking, Family-friendly hikes, Road Cycling, and Running Trails.
How can I contact the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area?
For general inquiries or visitor information regarding the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the official website is nps.gov/samo. The phone number for the Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center is +1-805-370-2301.
Get inspired with the komoot mobile app
