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15 Things to do in Simi Valley, CA

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Located in the southeast corner of California is a beautiful green valley that’s considered to be one of the safest, most family-friendly suburbs you’ll find along the entire Pacific coast – the city of Simi Valley in Ventura County.

 Simi Valley is a part of the greater Los Angeles area. The vast variety of geographical features like peaks, mountain passes, and hills is one of the reasons this place has become one of the preferred tourist destinations in the region.

What Is Simi Valley Known for?

Simi Valley, CA is best known for being home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which pays tribute to the 40th president of the United States. It has also been ranked on numerous occasions as one of the happiest places in the country.

 You’ll never run out of places to explore and things to do in Simi Valley. One of the reasons why tourists always have such a wonderful time when they visit this city, and why residents love living here!

Best Attractions in Simi Valley, CA

Whether you’d like to explore the city’s rich history and culture, or simply appreciate its natural beauty, there are so many attractions for you to visit in Simi Valley, CA.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum offers an immersive experience. Here, you can interact with artifacts in the exhibits. You can also engage with interactive displays in all the 18 galleries that highlight the life and times of the former president.

 Experience walking onboard Air Force One, acting in a film with Ronald Reagan, touching a piece of the Berlin Wall, and so much more. An upcoming exhibit, “The Secrets of World War II” will reveal many of the secrets and twists from World War II that have not been made public until recently.

Corriganville Movie Ranch is a 1,500-acre land in Simi Valley that was purchased by the famous actor and stuntman, Ray “Crash” Corrigan in 1937.

 The site used to be a working movie ranch for nearly three decades until it got damaged by the wildfires that took place in 1976 and 79. Some of the films and television series filmed here include The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin.

The Strathearn Historical Park & Museum is a beautiful 6-acre park that features several historic structures that represent Simi Valley’s past, such as the Simi Adobe, Simi Valley’s oldest structure. Take a walk through the Colony House, which was a prefabricated ‘kit house’ shipped by rail all the way from Illinois in 1888.

The museum is housed in the beautifully restored Santa Susana Depot. One of their best exhibits is a model of the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, which has been fully restored to look exactly like it did in the 1950s. Other features include accurate displays of static and operating artifacts which were used at the depot during its early years of operation and various nostalgic railroad memorabilia.

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center is home to various arts and cultural performances, like musicals, jazz concerts, and rock and roll concerts. You’ll notice from its Gothic theme, with its stained-glass windows and elegant light fixtures, that the Center is heavily influenced by the churches prevalent during the 1920s.

Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village is a quirky and amusing California registered historical landmark that features various abstract art and buildings. Tressa “Grandma” Prisbrey started this when she was almost 60 years old and worked on over 90,000 recycled bottles and items taken from the local dump for over 25 years.

Gardens of the World is a haven for those who love flowers, plants, and all forms of natural beauty. This beautiful sanctuary features distinct gardens spread over close to 5 acres. Here, you’ll see flora collected from all parts of the world. There are well-defined cultivated areas that feature a unique representation of a particular theme:

  1. The French Garden
  2. The Mission Courtyard
  3. The Japanese Garden
  4. The Italian Garden
  5. The Rose Garden

Best Activities in Simi Valley, CA

There are so many fun things to do in Simi Valley, California, most of which involve enjoying nature. Below are some activities in Simi Valley, including one we love – food tripping!

The Santa Susana Pass State Historical Park is a prime wildlife hub located right on the cusp of where the Santa Susana Mountains meets Simi Hills. Some of the native animals that live here include mule deer, ring-tailed cats, coyotes, and gray foxes.

 The elevated ground where the park lies provides panoramic views of San Fernando Valley. Here, visitors can traverse mountain ranges, ancient rock formations, sandstone cliffs, the Chumash grinding basins, as well as seasonal waterfalls.

Rocky Peak Park is a 4800-acre expanse of undisturbed natural environments on the border between Los Angeles and Ventura Counties in the Santa Susana Mountains. Here, the Rocky Peak Hiking Trail delights hikers and bikers with panoramic views of both the city and mountains.

 At the top, the “Rocky Peak,” the easternmost point, will give you breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding Santa Susana Mountains, the Simi Valley, and the San Fernando Valley.

The Arroyo Simi Bike Park, also known as the Arroyo Simi Greenway, comprises several multi-use paths that take you through most parts of Simi Valley. The Greenway is a popular place for walkers, joggers, cyclers, skateboarders, and horseback riders. The bike path is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except when there’s heavy rain or flooding.

The Skateboarding Hall of Fame Museum is a 10,000-square foot space founded in 2009 to honor skateboarders who have made major contributions to the history of skateboarding. Some of the artifacts on display include photographs and personal memorabilia from skateboarding legends like Patti McGee, Laura Thornhill, and Tony Alva. The Museum is free to the public.

The Simi Hills Golf Course is a Ted Robinson designed, par 71 championship golf course. Golfers of all skill levels are sure to enjoy the challenge in this 18-hole course with tree-lined rolling fairways and plush greens. The course features excellent practice facilities, with a lighted driving range and practice putting green, as well as chipping and bunker practice areas.

 Golfers of any age can avail of their professional golf instruction in group and private settings. There are certified PGA teaching professionals that provide on-course lessons with mental strategy.

This vast preserve is one of the most wonderful places to visit in Simi Valley. The Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve features oak trees, rolling hills, native perennial grasslands, and woodlands. There are two plant communities that make up more than 20 miles of riparian corridors in the park – the Southern Coast Live Oaks Riparian Forest and Southern Willow Scrub.

Tucked away in the western section of Simi Hills, China Flat is a charming section of land regarded by experienced hikers as a midway point on their ascent to Simi Peak. This natural spot is blessed with various geographical features, such as sandstone outcroppings and flat plateaus, making this an excellent spot for marveling at the beauty of nature.

At some point, you’ll have to stop by a restaurant and eat! Here are some of the best food places to try when in Simi Valley, CA:

  1. Reagan Country Café: a self-service and ala carte dining establishment located within the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The café gives diners stunning vistas of the hills and the Santa Rosa Valley.
  2. Eggs ‘N’ Things: If you’re craving a delicious, home-cooked breakfast, this is the place to go to. Try their specialty Swedish pancakes and homestyle corned beef hash.
  3. Ali Baba Café: known for serving delicious authentic Mediterranean cuisine. All menu items are made from scratch using the freshest ingredients that are currently in season. Their bestsellers include pita sandwiches, kebabs, stuffed grape leaves, and baba ghanoush.

Frequently Asked Questions

Simi Valley, CA is best known for being home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which pays tribute to the 40th president of the United States. It has also been ranked on numerous occasions as one of the happiest places in the country.

There are numerous ways to enjoy this lovely part of California, from nature tripping to museum hopping to exploring food places and so much more!

15 Things to do in Simi Valley, CA

Indeed, there are so many different ways to have fun in Simi Valley! And, in case you’ve been here and felt like calling this place your next home, how about I show you all the best houses in the area? If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to give me a call at 805-630-1806 or email me at chris@wgrealestategroup.com.