TOP 10 Coastal conservation efforts in Santa Monica, California

The Santa Monica Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Santa Monica, California. Located at 2520 2nd Street, the Conservancy offers guided tours of historic landmarks, educational programs on conservation and sustainability, and advocacy for the protection of the city's architectural and environmental treasures. Visitors can explore the park-like grounds, learn about the area's rich history, and discover the importance of preserving these resources for future generations. Whether you're a local resident or a tourist passing through, the Santa Monica Conservancy is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history and conservation of this vibrant coastal community.

Welcome to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, a breathtaking natural park located in Calabasas, California, just a short drive from the bustling city of Los Angeles. Our park offers a serene escape into nature with diverse hiking opportunities suitable for all levels of adventurers. Explore Solstice Canyon, where you can choose from easy, moderate, or challenging hikes through stunning coastal sage scrub and vibrant riparian plant communities. Enjoy a leisurely picnic or a peaceful stroll along the Solstice Canyon Trail, or test your endurance on the Rising Sun Trail. One of our most popular attractions is the perennial waterfall, a perfect destination for hikers. Along your journey, keep an eye out for local wildlife such as acorn woodpeckers, alligator lizards, fence lizards, and the majestic red-tailed hawk soaring above.

Welcome to the Santa Clara River Preserve, a stunning natural haven located at 1368 Mission Rock Road, Santa Paula, California. This expansive park spans nearly two miles of the majestic Santa Clara River, encompassing almost 1,000 acres of diverse upland habitat and riverbed. As one of the few public access points to the Santa Clara River, the preserve offers a unique opportunity to connect with this vital waterway. Managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Santa Clara River Preserve is a perfect destination for outdoor education, community gatherings, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Visitors can explore the natural beauty and learn about the ecological significance of the Santa Clara River, a critical source of drinking water and a key resource for local agriculture. The preserve also plays an essential role in providing some of the last riverside and freshwater habitats in the Los Angeles-Ventura region.

Wavehuggers is an eco-centered surf institution located in Santa Monica, California, offering surf lessons, kids camps, surf therapy, and events along the beautiful beaches of Southern California. Our CPR and First Aid Certified instructors provide private, group, community, and video surf lessons for all skill levels, with all gear included. Join our Groundswell Community Project to dive into self-love, sea-love, and surf sisterhood. Create lasting memories with our unique surf-related activities such as parties, beach clean-ups, and adventures.

Welcome to Backbone Trail Access at Mishe Mokwa, your gateway to adventure in the stunning Santa Monica Mountains! Located at Backbone Trail, Malibu, California 90265, this park offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore one of America’s premier long-distance trails. The 67-mile Backbone Trail invites you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Mediterranean ecosystem, a rare gem found in only five places worldwide. Join us on this remarkable journey, guided by our engaging video series hosted by longtime volunteer Ralph Waycott. Each week, we unveil a new segment of the trail, providing insights and stories that bring this breathtaking landscape to life. We invite you to share your thoughts, experiences, and questions about the trail by emailing samo_interpretation@nps.gov.

Welcome to Circle X Ranch, a hidden gem located at 12896 Yerba Buena Road, Malibu, California. Nestled in the picturesque canyons above Malibu and beneath the majestic Boney Mountain, Circle X Ranch is a former Boy Scout camp offering a perfect blend of exploration and relaxation. Discover the beauty of this rare coastal Mediterranean ecosystem by hiking one of the many trails that wind through the ranch. Immerse yourself in the unique chaparral plant community, where you can spot the distinctive red shank chamise with its reddish-brown bark and delicate white flowers blooming in July and August. Keep your eyes peeled for the vibrant blue-bellied lizards and lively scrub jays during the day, and experience the enchanting presence of gray foxes and bats as twilight descends.

Explore the Backbone Trail Access at Yerba Buena Welcome to the Backbone Trail Access at Yerba Buena, your gateway to adventure in the stunning Santa Monica Mountains. Located on Yerba Buena Road in Malibu, California, this park offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore one of America's premier long-distance trails. Spanning 67 miles, the Backbone Trail invites hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians to immerse themselves in the beauty of Southern California's best-protected coastal Mediterranean habitat.