Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Just minutes from bustling Los Angeles, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers families an incredible escape into Mediterranean-climate wilderness spanning 243,000 acres of rugged peaks, hidden waterfalls, and pristine beaches. This unique park protects the world's largest urban national park area, where kids can explore everything from coastal tide pools to mountain meadows while learning about Native American history and Hollywood filming locations.
Junior Ranger Program at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
The Junior Ranger program at Santa Monica Mountains combines hands-on nature exploration with fun activities like wildlife tracking, plant identification, and learning about the area's rich cultural history including Chumash traditions. Kids complete age-appropriate workbooks featuring scavenger hunts, environmental puzzles, and creative projects that help them discover why this urban wilderness is so special and worth protecting.
- Explore tide pools at Malibu beaches and discover colorful sea anemones
- Hike family-friendly trails through chaparral to spot roadrunners and hawks
- Learn about movie magic at filming locations used in countless Hollywood productions
Planning Your Visit
Van Life Tip: Many trailheads have limited parking, so arrive early morning or visit weekdays; Malibu Creek State Park nearby offers excellent camping facilities for van families.
Plan Your Stay
Save on park entry with the America the Beautiful Pass — $80 for unlimited access to all 400+ National Park sites for a full year.
Where to Stay
Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Parks to Earn More Badges
See all Junior Ranger badges
Track your family's progress across every National Park Service site
View Badge Tracker