Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in August
August at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 97°F and an overnight low around 61°F. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes August an average month here.
- Average low
- 61°F
- Average high
- 97°F
Range across the year: 42°F to 97°F
- Precipitation
- 0.0 in
- Daylight
- 13.3 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in August: about 66,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982 to 2025.
That makes August the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the May peak (1.3×) and the December low (0.8×).
On our Best Time to Visit score August rates 39/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is December: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 79°F is hot, with afternoons near 97°F to plan the day around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 12.6 miles from the park.
August falls inside the park's busiest stretch: June, July and August together pull about 26% of the year's visitors, so a visit this month means sharing the park with the peak-season crowd.
You'll have about 13.3 hours of daylight in August to explore — between the 9.7-hour midwinter low and the 14.3-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 722,626 recreation visits, up 13% from 639,745 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 10.3%, so August may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How August compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 95°F / 61°F | 1.0× Average | 45 Fair |
| August | 97°F / 61°F | 1.0× Average | 39 Poor |
| September | 94°F / 59°F | 0.9× Average | 52 Fair |
All twelve months at Santa Monica Mountains, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Santa Monica Mountains in August
The National Park Service tags 3 Santa Monica Mountains activities for summer. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Mishe Mokwa Trail to Split Rock · 1-3 hours
- Satwiwa Loop Trail · 1-2 hours
- Solstice Canyon Trail · 2-3 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
August averages a daytime high near 97°F and an overnight low around 61°F at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 12.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
August is average at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 39/100. Our recommended month is December.
The busiest month is May and the quietest is December. August sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical August sees about 66,000 recreation visits at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982–2025.
Where to stay near Santa Monica Mountains in August
Booking a August trip to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live August availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Santa Monica Mountains
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in August.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1982–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.