The Santa Monica National Recreation Area (SMMNRA), consisting of 154,095 acres, is a United States National Recreation Area containing numerous parks and open space preserves located primarily in the Santa Monica Mountains. Approximately 67% of the area is in Los Angeles County with the remaining portion in Ventura County. The visitor center for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is in Thousand Oaks. The Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa, Arroyo Sequit Park, and Hidden Valley are all located within the Santa Monica National Recreation Area.

 

Conejo Open Space Foundation

The Conejo Open Space Foundation was created in 1995 to promote and maintain the open space and trail systems in the Conejo Valley and to educate residents as to their roles as stewards of our open space and environment. The Conejo Open Space Foundation is involved in preserving open space in the areas owned by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

 

Allied Arts of the Santa Monica Mountains

The Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore is a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote the appreciation of our environment through art and to support conservation and maintenance of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Artists are invited to participate in local art shows and sell their work with 20% or more of the proceeds being donated to various organizations in the Santa Monica NationaLRecreation Area. Memberships are available and donations are greatly appreciated.

 

Conejo Peak

Conejo Peak, not to be confused with Conejo Mountain, is one of the area's highest mountain peaks rising to 2,854 feet. It is located in the northern area of the Circle X Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains within Ventura County. For access to Conejo Peak Trail, take the Wendy Drive exit from the Ventura 101 Freeway and travel south until it ends at Potrero Road. There is a church opposite the entry to the trail. The peak offers excellent views of the Conejo Valley communities of Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Hidden Valley, and beyond.

 

Round Mountain

Round Mountain is a 554 foot summit in Ventura County located just east of the Calleguas Creek and immediately west of California State University Channel Islands. Round Mountain is southwest of the much larger Conejo Mountain. The Conejo Valley is to the east of Round Mountain.

 

Cameron Nature Preserve

The Cameron Nature Preserve is a beautiful 703 acre preserve in Puerco Canyon, located within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It is an important habitat for wildlife including bobcats, mountain lions, and deer.

 

Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority

The Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA), established in 1985, is a government entity created by a partnership of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, and the Conejo Recreation and Park District. MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, watershed lands, trails, and wildlife habitat. MRCA manages and provides ranger services for over 70,000 acres of public lands and parks.

 

God's Seat

God's Seat is a popular rock formation arid overlook located north of Malibu in Ventura County approximately two miles east of the Circle X Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. God's Seat is famous for its truly spectacular views of the Conejo Valley, Lake Sherwood, Sandstone Peak, and the Pacific Ocean.

 

Runion Canyon Park

Runion Canyon Park is a 160-acre park located at the far eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains. The highest point in the park, which reaches an elevation of 1,320 feet, is known as Indian Rock. The park, which is in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, offers extensive hiking trails and excellent views.