Overview
Simi Valley is in Ventura County in Southern California. There isn't much in this Los Angeles suburb but it's possible to drive to many destinations in Southern California within an hour such as Disneyland, Hollywood and Downtown LA.
7 sights · 11 things to do · 7 places to eat · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Simi Valley
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum
This is a must see for any travelers stopping by in Simi Valley. Contains memorabilia and a permanent exhibit of Ronald Reagan's life. Includes the Air Force One gallery with a former presidential plane. As Reagan was a …
Corriganville Park
The Old Corriganville Movie Ranch with historic buildings was the site of many western films. Park also has a two-mile trail loop.
Mt McCoy
Usually known as "the hill with the cross on top of it," it's visible from Madera Road. Hiking trail is approximately two miles long but can be difficult. Wear long pants and snake boots.
Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village
Once home of Tressa Prisbrey created from recyclable items from a local landfill, now a California Historical Landmark.
Rancho Simi Community Park
Swimming pool, tennis, basketball, softball, volleyball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, covered picnic area, barbeques, playgrounds. A stream leads down to a lagoon stocked with fish. Site of the Annual Huck Finn Fishing Derb…
Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
This Gothic building was first a family home, then a church, then a mortuary and is now a historical landmark. The building now houses a theatre for live plays. Admission: $20.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Jun. Summer highs reach about 97°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Feb and Jan.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BUR Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport, Burbank — 21 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LAX Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles — 30 mi away (major hub). Directions
Simi Valley is mainly accessible by car. Simi Valley's main artery, the 118 Freeway (Ronald Reagan Freeway), can be accessed by Interstate 5, Interstate 405, and the 210 Freeway in the east and by the 23 Freeway in the west. The 23 Freeway connects to the 101 Freeway. Alternates to the freeways provide access to Highway 126 in Santa Paula and Ventura.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $78–$119 a night (typical $99), from 7 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$170, comfortable ~$280.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, Mt McCoy, Sinaloa Golf Course
- Lunch The East Coast Pizza Company
- Afternoon Strathearn Historical Park, Challenger Park
- Dinner Red's BBQ & Grillery
Day 2
- Morning Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, Arroyo Simi Bike Path, Arroyo Simi Equestrian Trail
- Lunch Greek House Cafe
- Afternoon Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village, Rancho Simi Community Park
- Dinner Campos Famous Burritos
Day 3
- Morning Corriganville Park, Santa Susanna Railroad Depot, Hummingbird Creek
- Lunch Palermo Pizzeria & Restaurant
- Afternoon Rancho Simi Trailblazers, Simi Hills Golf Course
- Dinner Eggs N Things
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Simi Valley is mainly accessible by car. Simi Valley's main artery, the 118 Freeway (Ronald Reagan Freeway), can be accessed by Interstate 5, Interstate 405, and the 210 Freeway in the east and by the 23 Freeway in the west. The 23 Freeway connects to the 101 Freeway. Alternates to the freeways provide access to Highway 126 in Santa Paula and Ventura.
By plane
Airports in close proximity to Simi Valley are Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hollywood Burbank Airport in Burbank (BUR). There are several small airports in the area that welcome private or charter flights.
By train
- Train operators:
- Routes stopping in Simi Valley:
- Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Lacey, Centralia, Kelso, Vancouver, WA, Portland, Salem, Albany, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, San Francisco (Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank.
- Pacific Surfliner operates daily between San Luis Obispo and San Diego via Los Angeles.
- Metrolink provides commuter rail from Los Angeles via the San Fernando Valley on its Ventura County Line.
Get around
Although Simi Valley has a bus system, the primary transportation by the city's residents is by automobile. Bicycling is gaining in popularity as the city is committed to installing more bicycle lanes and bicycle parking. Walking, although safe, is not recommended for more than a short stroll. Distances can seem deceptively small, but map your distance if you're planning on walking or cycling from point to point.
See
See Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum
This is a must see for any travelers stopping by in Simi Valley. Contains memorabilia and a permanent exhibit of Ronald Reagan's life. Includes the Air Force One gallery with a former presidential plane. As Reagan was a prominent Republican politician, other prominent Republican politicians speak here from time to time. Admission: $25 general, $22 seniors 62+, $18 youth 11-17, $15 children 3-10.
See Corriganville Park
The Old Corriganville Movie Ranch with historic buildings was the site of many western films. Park also has a two-mile trail loop.
See Mt McCoy
Usually known as "the hill with the cross on top of it," it's visible from Madera Road. Hiking trail is approximately two miles long but can be difficult. Wear long pants and snake boots.
See Santa Susanna Railroad Depot
Restored 1903 train depot now holds a small museum and a working model train layout.
Do
Do Arroyo Simi Bike Path
Metrolink Station to Madera Road. Seven miles of paved bikepath with trees, flowers and a stream. Also suitable for walking.
Do Arroyo Simi Equestrian Trail
Equestrian Center to Tierra Practice Rejada Park. Four miles of dirt pathway, away from the street, complemented by trees and flowers.
Do Challenger Park
Open through permit only (contact the park service). Two miles of hiking trail. Oak groves and a stream.
Do Rancho Simi Community Park
Swimming pool, tennis, basketball, softball, volleyball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, covered picnic area, barbeques, playgrounds. A stream leads down to a lagoon stocked with fish. Site of the Annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby. Be careful feeding the ducks.
Do Rancho Tapo Community Park
Basketball, softball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, covered picnic area, barbeques, playgrounds. A very nice dirt walking path. Simi Valley's Veteran's Plaza.
Do Simi Hills Golf Course
Public course, 18 hole, par 71. Driving range, practice green and pro shop. Very nice for a public course.
Buy
Shop Simi Valley Town Center
This open air mall opened in 2005 and is located between two off-ramps on the 118 Freeway (Erringer and First Street).
Eat
Eat The East Coast Pizza Company
Pizza by the slice, whole pies, calzones, strombolis, cannoli.
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Eat Red's BBQ & Grillery
Red's is very popular so expect a wait if you're going for dinner on Friday or Saturday night. Don't miss the ribs or the baked potatoes (caution: baked potatoes are huge). Take out menu available.
Eat Greek House Cafe
Eat Campos Famous Burritos
Don't be put off by the decor, the food is excellent. Very popular with the lunch crowd. Very affordable.
Eat Palermo Pizzeria & Restaurant
Old school Italian restaurant with what is probably the original decor. Order the family meal, it is the best deal in town.
Eat Eggs N Things
Open for breakfast and lunch. This is where Simi Valley eats breakfast. Check for the specials on the front board. On weekends, go early or be prepared for a long wait.
Eat Olivio's Trattoria
Fine Italian food. Great for dinner.
Sleep
Go next
- Ventura - Located on the coast 30 miles west of Simi Valley, Ventura is home to many interesting shops, the historic Mission San Buenaventura, and is the gateway for excursions to the Channel Islands National Park.
Nearby
Chatsworth
City / town · 10 listings · 7 mi away
Agoura Hills
City / town · 10 listings · 10 mi away
Calabasas
City / town · 6 listings · 10 mi away
Valencia
City / town · 10 listings · 11 mi away
Thousand Oaks
City / town · 17 listings · 11 mi away
Magic Mountain
Park · 47 listings · 12 mi away
Fillmore
City / town · 1 listings · 14 mi away
North Valley
City / town · 20 listings · 14 mi away
My experience
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