Car Rental Santa Monica and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Explore Los Angeles' wild side during your upcoming car rental Santa Monica vacation with a visit to the Santa Monica National Recreation Area. Home to more than 154,095 acres of minimally disturbed wilderness, the Santa Monica Mountains NRA is California's coolest playground. The largest urban national park in the United States, the Santa Monica Mountain NRA provides travelers with unlimited outdoor activities, and miles upon miles of wilderness trails. So go ahead - get wild during your upcoming car rental Santa Monica vacation. Plan to spend the day at the Santa Monica Mountains NRA.

A park made up of... parks

The Santa Monica Mountains Recreation National Recreation Area provides car rental Santa Monica travelers with oodles of outdoor opportunities. That's because it's comprised of not one, not two, not even five state parks. The Santa Monica Mountains NRA includes six California State Parks, and was intended as an extension to the Channel Islands National (Underwater) Park. While visiting the NRA, car rental Santa Monica customers are encouraged to stop by the Topanga State Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Point Mugu State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park. You can also catch some rays at the Point Dume State Beach and along the trails at Leo Carrillo State Park.

Scientific and environmental information

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is home to one of the largest protected Mediterranean-type ecosystems in the world. A large part of what is referred to as the Mediterranean Coast Network, which include the Channel Islands National Park and the Cabrillo Monument, the Santa Monica Mountains NRA supports over 1,000 different plant species and approximately 500 mammal, bird, reptilian and amphibian species. So what exactly is characteristic of a Mediterranean ecosystem? Well, car rental Santa Monica travelers will notice drought deciduous scrublands, mild rainy winter weather and warm, dry summer heat.

Get active on your car rental Santa Monica trip

It's one thing to talk about the over 154,000 acres located inside the Santa Monica Mountains NRA, and a totally different thing to get out there and explore them! Luckily, car rental Santa Monica travelers can uncover quite a bit of the NRA's charm through outdoor activities. While you can't hike through every inch of the park, you can get a great feel for the magic of the place simply by strapping on some running shoes. Biking, birding, camping and hiking are all common activities to enjoy in the park, along with horseback riding and swimming. It's also common to encounter a local festival on the NRA's grounds, providing car rental Santa Monica travelers with something a little extra special. If you would like to camp during your stay in the Santa Monica Mountains NRA, please remember that you must pitch your tent in a camping-permitted zone. For up-to-date information on available camp sites it is best to contact one of the six state parks located in the NRA for details.

Find your way to the National Park Visitor Center

The best place to begin your car rental Santa Monica trip to the Santa Monica Mountain NRA is at the National Park Visitor Center on Hillcrest Drive. To get there from the Ventura Freeway, exit onto Lynn Road heading north. When you get to Hillcrest Drive, turn east, and then hang a left onto McCloud Avenue. The parking lot for the National Park Visitor Center will be on the right. If you're on the 23 Freeway, exit at the Thousand Oaks Boulevard/Hillcrest Drive ext going west onto Hillcrest. Turn right onto McCloud and the parking lot will be right there.
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is open daily from 9am to 5pm. For more information on hours and activities, car rental Santa Monica customers can call 1-805-370-2301.