Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa

Trigun Bhattarai

Perfect for a quick evening walk or a full day of hike. Lot of different trails can be accessed.

Roland Allen

We started our hike around 9 AM. This was my first visit to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The area is beautiful. We also had a very nice breeze throughout the hike, which offered refreshment as the sun rose in the sky. Be alert to the various trails. I carried a satellite GPS device since I was 100% NOT familiar with this vast park. Not all trails are marked. The trails quickly become "back country" not far from the parking lot. We encountered three rattlesnakes on our return hike, about 11 AM. The first two were quite "chill" - in fact, so much so that we waited hoping they would exit the trail. The first one did not exit so we bushwacked around to make sure it had space and didn't feel crowded on the trail. The second rattlesnake also stayed put, its body half way in the trail. There was no way around it as there was a cliff on one side and the brush was too thick to enter on the other side. So, we waited. Eventually the rattlesnake lumbered into the brush, but not far off the trail. I think it wanted to be in the sun. The third rattlesnake was right off the parking lot. There was plenty of room for it and us. The point is to be careful with where you step. I recommend having a plan for which trails you plan to hike. Of course, hikers can "wander," but, as mentioned, this is a large park and there are numerous trails.

Steve Larson

Beautiful hiking trails. I feel like I'm a hundred miles from civilization it is so relaxing to hike out here.

CJ Rosendahl

A huge expanse of nature so easily accessed from the urban area. So fortunate to have this beautiful preserved open space in our area to hike, walk dogs, mountain bike, see wildlife. Particularly stunning right now in March since all the rains.