New Santa Monica Mountains Visitor Center Opening June 9

A ribbon cutting ceremony for a new Santa Monica Mountains interagency visitor center is being held on June 9 at

The Anthony C. Beilenson Visitor Center is named after the congressman who authored legislation establishing the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in 1978.

The National Park Service, California State Parks, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority will operate out of the facility.

The new center is replacing the Thousand Oaks location, which is "outside the park boundary in a poor visibility area," according to a press release.

Once it is open to the public, hikers and campers can head to the visitor center to get tips and trail maps from rangers and volunteers, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The facility will power itself through a 95-kilowatt photovoltaic solar energy system, earning it a "net zero" title.

Construction of the new visitor center was funded with $9.5 million from the  American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, as well as in-kind contributions from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.

King Gillette Ranch is located at 26800 West Mulholland Highway. The ribbon cutting for the center will be on June 9 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Many local officials will be on hand, including Beilenson.

Operating hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free two-hour parking adjacent to the center at 26876 Mulholland Highway. The phone number is 805-370-2301.