Santa Monica Mountains Day Trips

From the north to the south, the Santa Monica Mountains are filled with local, state and federal operated sites that make for a perfect day trip. There are hiking trails, biking trails, secluded beaches and history. Most of these are outdoors, so be sure to call in advance and make sure there are no restrictions in place. Mother Nature can pull a lot of tricks on us.

Charmlee Wilderness Park l Santa Monica Mountains NRA, 2577 S. Encinal Canyon Road, Malibu California; 310-457-7247 has a total of 8 miles of hiking trails, bicycling, horseback riding and picnic areas with a spectacular view of the water. Take the Botany Trail which is 3 miles long and enjoy a day with wild flowers. The park is located on a bluff, so it can be a bit challenging at times. They have special guided tours like full moon and twilight hikes (which take place once a month), there are bug nights, wildflower hikes and astronomy nights. The park is open daily 8am-sunset and the Nature Center Sat-Sun 10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm

Leo Carrillo State Park not only has a mile and a half of beach front, but you can explore cave and do some hiking in the back country. They also have guided nature walks. General Information (818) 880-0363. There are campgrounds here, so they close the gates at 10PM and open them again at 7AM The park is easy to find Just 28 miles northwest from Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway , Highway 1. The park is right off the highway.

King Gillette Ranch 26800 West Mulholland Highway Calabasas, CA 91302. Be sure to bring you camera to this one. It was once owned, and is named after, the person who invented, and made a fortune from, one of the most important inventions of our time - the safety razor. Now it is open to the public and it abounds with wild life. The hiking trail is rather steep, but the view is well worth it. They also have bicycle trails and it is the perfect place for a picnic.