Visitors to the Santa Monica Mountains spent $26 million in the surrounding communities, according to a National Park Service (NPS) report for 2011.
The NPS report shows that 650,000 people visited the national park-owned land of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) that year. The report only studied the number of people who visited land owned by national parks, which makes up 15 percent of the recreation area. Millions of people visit the SMMNRA each year, parts of which are managed by the state and county, according to a release from the NPS.
The report is part of a peer-reviewed spending analysis of national park visitors across the U.S. conducted by Michigan State University for the NPS.
“The Santa Monica Mountains are a destination for outdoor enthusiasts of every stripe,” park superintendent David Szymanski said in a statement. “Whether they’re coming for the trails, beaches or a scenic drive on the Pacific Coast or Mulholland Highways, these visitors spend money that helps support local businesses.”
To view the full report, visit nature.nps.gov/socialscience.