A green legacy grows in the mountains

You could call it a microcosm of the Southern California landscape—but there’s nothing “micro” about the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Covering 153,075 acres—more than 83,000 of them preserved as parkland and open space—the area draws millions of visitors each year to its seven state parks, campgrounds and hiking trails. To get a sense of its scope, consider these superlatives from the National Park Service: Not only is it the “world’s largest urban national park,” it has “more area codes (5) and zip codes (26), including the notable 90210 zip code of Beverly Hills, than any other unit in the National Park System.”

Strategic acquisitions of land—mostly in the Third District—by a coalition of local, state and federal agencies during the past 20 years have played a transformative role in shaping the recreation area into an ever-growing expanse of green. Just this fall, the National Park Service closed escrow on several parcels of land, totaling 117 acres, in Upper Solstice Canyon. The canyon—described by national parks officials as a “pristine 2,863-acre coastal watershed”—is home to waterfalls, creeks and 25 species of rare and endangered plants and animals.

To sample the rustic beauty of the recreation area and meet some of its dedicated advocates, click on the video above. And check out our interactive map to see how the green areas have expanded over the course of a generation.