Reagan’s Library and More: Explore Simi Valley, California

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

The crown jewel of Simi Valley, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, boasts 125,000 square feet of space that includes interactive exhibits, 18 galleries, and hundreds of artifacts that pay tribute to the former president. It's also home to more than 60 million pages of documents, 1.6 million photographs, and a collection of personal papers from Reagan's presidential years.

The museum's popular interactive exhibits let you set the table for a state dinner, act in a movie with the president, ride a horse at Rancho del Cielo, and much more. Walk through a reproduction of the Oval Office and then see a chunk of the famous Berlin Wall from the Cold War. Plus, you can visit the Air Force One Pavilion to tour the plane used by Reagan and other presidents.

The Reagan Library and Museum sits on 300 acres with stunning views of the surrounding area, including a distant glimpse of the Pacific. Picnic on the grounds of "Future President's Park," and then stroll the peaceful gardens, which include replicas of the White House Rose Garden and the White House South Lawn.

Strathearn Historical Park and Museum

After your visit to the Reagan Memorial, head to Strathearn Historical Park and Museum. This six-acre site preserves some of Simi Valley's history, including several houses, the old Simi Store and barber shop, and the original Simi Library built in 1930. With artifacts like old furniture, clothes, farm vehicles, and wagons on display, the buildings are even more fun on the inside. To get a peek, take a docent-led tour Wednesday through Sunday. The outside grounds are open for exploring any time during operating hours.

Santa Susana Depot Museum and Model Railroad

The Santa Susana Depot Museum and Model Railroad is another great stop to add to any history buff's itinerary. This historic railroad depot on the Southern Pacific line welcomes visitors with interesting artifacts and interactive displays. Tour the trainmaster's office, send a simulated telegraph message, and blow a train's horn — all while exploring what life was like in the station's heyday. The museum also has an impressive model train setup that shows visitors what Simi Valley looked like in the 1950s.

Corriganville Movie Ranch

Explore the Wild West in a fun combo of history and exercise at Corriganville Movie Ranch. Originally used as a movie set from 1937 to 1965, this picturesque ranch served as the filming site for more than 3,500 movies, television shows, and commercials. Today, the property is owned by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District and is home to five beautiful hiking trails. As you explore the area, take some time to learn about its history using the photographs, descriptions, and historical markers set along the trails.

Arroyo Simi Bike Path

Visiting historical sites isn't the only thing to do in Simi Valley. Go for a walk, take a bike ride, or even ride a horse along Arroyo Simi Bike Path. This 7-mile path runs east to west through Simi Valley and is almost entirely flat, offering a smooth ride — or walk — for every skill level. Multiple entrances along the route make it easy to hop on and off whenever you need a break.

Simi Hills Golf Course

No trip to Simi Valley is complete without a round of golf. The city is home to several courses, but Simi Hills Golf Course is one of the most popular choices. Designed by Ted Robinson in 1981, this public Par 71 Championship Golf Course features a beautiful yet challenging layout and has amenities like a driving range and golf lessons.

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