Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area Visitor Center

How about putting some signs along the paths in addition to «authorized vehicles only» signs so visitors can know where the * they are going? Don’t you get any fund from the government? They give you a map but without signs its useless

National Park Visitor Centers are highly underutilized. The SMMNRAVC is an amazing educational resource on our local wildlife. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of preserving what little natural habitat we have. It encourages the enjoyment of our national parks in respectful ways.
I learned a lot while at SMMNRAVC. I learned that I take the Santa Monica Mountains for granted while either driving up the 101 or PCH. I learned to appreciate them not only for their varying beauty but for importance of our ecosystem.
The visitor center itself if well kept. The building is Spanish Colonial revival in style with a flowing central fountain. The rangers at the visitor center were very welcoming and helpful. They helped me discover Paramount Ranch. Without their help, I would not have discovered such a gem.

This is the place to be if you want an introduction to the Santa Monica Mountains NRA. There is a wealth of information on the history of the area, as well as helpful rangers to guide me through the intricacies of the trail map. There are a number of great trails nearby (almost too many), and it is useful to stop by the Visitor Center to sort it all out. They also have stamps for the National Parks Passport. My boys were able to get 3 different stamps apiece. Almost forgot about the clean restrooms and the cool fountain to refill our water bottles.

I stopped at the Santa Monica Mountain NRA Visitor Center because I wanted to get a stamp for my National Park Passport Book. I was surprised when I was told of all the things to see and do in the NRA. I wish I had more time, I was just passing through the region, because there is so much to see and do. I will definitely have to return to see the different things.
The VC is in a weird spot in Thousand Oaks, but I will say if you just follow the signs, it’s not too bad. The employees in the VC were very friendly and helped me out and took a lot of time talking to me about the NRA. Also, the VC had art and some typical National Park gift shop type items.
If you’re in the area, make this place a destination to stop first and get your bearings with a nice map and some friendly conversation.

First off, lovely review Caitlin C., very informative and nicely written. Those rabbits you all see on your drive up are the symbol of our great valley people, so heed Caitlin’s advice and definitely drive with caution. Squirrels? Shmirrels. They’re hawk eats.
I recall visiting this monumental architectural achievement with my mother as a child and being awed by its futuristic prowess. Later, during my adolescence, my friends and I would stop and explore here on our walk to the mall (mainly just to Tilt, Pacific Sunwear and The Expanding Wall). My friend Matt broke four fingers after sliding down one of the angled sides one day. I remember a creepy quietude, odd stairways and a few motor homes parked up there to make-​up a very secluded and peculiar (and scary) community.
Later in High School I heard that some kids had broken in and made a skate park and such. Turned out to be true and somehow I never made it in to check it out. Not cool enough perhaps. Still fuggin pissed about that. Thanks superadicals.
I was an avid hiker during my 20+ years in the area and am honored that the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area Visitor Center (my fingers cramped typing that name) chose to locate here, couldn’t have picked a better edifice. I’m gonna have to pay this place a visit on my next trip back, hopefully find a cool SMMNRA (acronym usage is key) tee or something.

I’ve said before that I’m doing some work for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, so I have an ‘insiders’ view of the park. The Anthony C. Beilson Visitor Center is the main visitor center for the SMMNRA. I suggest calling or coming here for any information you may need prior to exploring the units within SMMNRA.
It’s located awkwardly, behind the The Oaks shopping center, up a winding driveway, on the hill. Along this winding road, I often see squirrels and rabbits running across the road, or sadly squashed flat. So slow down and enjoy the scenery. At the top, you can park right there on the lower level of the looping parking lot.
Do you hear the strange humming noise? Those are the enormous air conditioning units for the buildings. Yeah kinda ruins the peacefulness, but you’re not in the wilds yet! So head down the stairs or elevator to the front of the office building. In it you will be greeted by park employees, volunteers, or interns manning the front desk and the phone. They are here for your visitors needs!!!
Not only can you have any question answered, but you can also wander around and look at the interactive and interpretive displays, purchase books, tshirts, or grab some maps. The displays are a little «old» but they serve their purpose well. They also have information about volunteering/​working for the SMMNRA, or they can put you in touch with someone who knows.
Since the units of the SMMNRA are all over the Santa Monica Mountains, its not so unusual that the visitor center isn’t located in the park itself. In fact it’s not really that close at all to a unit. Yet I highly recommend contacting them for more information about hiking, or camping, or park activities! It’s a great way to start your explorations!!!
PS They moved the TO farmers market here on Thursdays, while The Oaks mall is under construction. However it will move back to The Oaks parking lot, when construction is over.