Information for Would-Be Tourists

   For those who is going to do the tour it is useful to know that located adjacent to the city of Los Angeles, the second largest urban area in the United States, the Santa Monica Mountains represents one of the largest protected areas of the Mediterranean-type ecosystem. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a part of the Mediterranean Coast Network that includes Channel Islands National Park and Cabrillo National Monument when California is in view on the geographic map. Together, these parks protect some of the most significant examples of terrestrial Mediterranean-type ecosystems and coastal marine environments anywhere in the world. The climate of the Mediterranean ecosystem along with the diverse topography in the Santa Monica Mountains has created a landscape filled with unique natural resources. Over 1,000 plant species provide habitat for approximately 500 mammal, bird, reptile, and amphibian species. The new comers and natives come in view that the Santa Monica Mountains are full of wonder, life, and adventure. The myriad color and textures make the valleys, mountains, and oceans be a unique place to photographers any time of the year of birds-eye views. So the helicopter tour is just for these places. Much of the mountains are located within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Preservation of lands within the region is managed by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the National Park Service, the California State Parks, and County and Municipal agencies. Today, the Santa Monica Mountains face pressure from local populations as a desirable residential area, and in the parks as a recreational retreat and wild place that's increasingly rare in urban Los Angeles.
  The Santa Monica Mountains in the Los Angeles area are remarkable for many reasons, not the least of which is that they are the only mountain range in the country to bisect a great city. A great number of visitors make their tours over these places every day.