Santa Monica Mountains, Mountain range in Southern California, United States.
Santa Monica Mountains is a mountain range in Southern California that runs roughly 40 miles (64 kilometers) from Hollywood Hills to Point Mugu, with peaks rising between 1,000 and 3,000 feet (305 to 915 meters). The landscape shifts between bare summits, wooded canyons, and open grasslands crossed by streams that flow south toward the coast.
The Tongva and Chumash lived in these mountains for millennia, building settlements along the coast and inland valleys. Spanish missionaries arrived in the late 18th century, followed by ranchers and later film studios that used the terrain as a natural backdrop.
The range takes its name from the city of Santa Monica, itself named after the mother of Saint Augustine. Trails and viewpoints draw hikers and riders who set out in early morning or late afternoon when the light softens the ridges.
Several visitor centers offer maps and advice for more than 500 miles (800 kilometers) of trails that wind through the area. Weather can change quickly, so bring plenty of water and prepare for warm days followed by cool evenings.
Sediment layers contain fossilized shells and other marine creatures from periods when the present-day range lay beneath the ocean. These deposits reveal ancient seafloors lifted by tectonic shifts over millions of years.
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