Sure, the park benefits people. But the wildlife gets a break as well. The park is mostly a Mediterreanean broadleaf evergreen forest. Roughly 450 vertebrate species of animals and 13 nesting raptor species call it home at one time or another. Critters include mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats, deer, hawks, falcons and eagles. Twenty-five area species are listed as rare, threatened or endangered (with more expected to join the list in upcoming years).

At one point the Santa Monica Mountains were home to two indigenous peoples, the Chumash and the Gabrielleno-Tongva. Over 1000 archeological sites can be found in the area.

Santa Monica Recreation Area was established in an attempt to conserve a swath of green in the midst of sprawl. The return? Cleaner air and some handy outdoor adventuring for Angelenos.