Simi Valley is a city in southeast Ventura County, west of the San Fernando Valley, north of the Conejo Valley, and east of Moorpark. The Santa Susana Mountains are to the north and the Simi Hills are to the east and south. The highest peak in the Simi Hills is Simi Peak rising to 2,403 feet. The city is considered one of the safest cities in the United States for cities of its size. Simi Valley is home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the Brandeis - Bardin Institute. Wood Ranch is a large residential community located in Simi Valley just to the North of Thousand Oaks. Neighborhoods in Simi Valley include Friendly Village, Big Sky, Hollow Hills, Indian Hills, Silverthorne, Sycamore Shades, Texas Tract, and Wood Ranch.

 

Ronald Reagan President Library

The Ronald Reagan President Library, constructed in Simi Valley in 1991 with private with donations, is the largest of the 13 federally operated presidential libraries. There is a permanent exhibit covering the president's life and memorabilia including Air Force One, the aircraft used by the president, and a section of the Berlin Wall. The 243,000 square foot library offers rotating exhibits and speakers. President Reagan and First Lady, Nancy Reagan are both buried on the site of the presidential library. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world visit the library each year.

 

Simi Valley Geography

Simi Valley is a valley in the Ventura County area of Southern California surrounded by mountains and hills. It is connected to the San Fernando Valley to the east by the 118 Freeway and Santa Susana Pass, and to Moorpark to the west by the 118 freeway. Simi Valley has a generally flat bottom. The Santa Susana Mountains are to the north which separate Simi Valley from the Santa Clara River Valley, and the Simi Hills are to the south.

 

Rancho Simi

Rancho Simi was the 113,009 acre Spanish land grant given in 1795 that included present day Simi Valley in Ventura County and a small area of the San Fernando Valley in the far western end of Los Angeles County. The name is derived from a former Chumash Indian Village known as Shimiji which existed for thousands of years before the area was claimed by Spain. Colony House, built in 1888, is a historic site located at the Strathern Historical Park and Museum in Simi Valley.

 

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District

The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD), formed in 1961, is a Special District government agency that is separate from the city of Simi Valley. The district has established over 50 parks and open spaces used for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and wildlife preservation. The parks are located in both Simi Valley and Oak Park which are both in Ventura County.

 

Arroyo Simi

The Arroyo Simi, also known as Simi Creek, is a 19 mile long creek running from Simi Valley east to Moorpark. It originates at Corriganville Park near the Santa Susana Pass and then flows west to Moorpark where it merges with the Arroyo Los Posas. The Arroyo Simi is a tributary of the Calleguas Creek which flows to the Pacific Ocean at Mugu Lagoon which is near the Ventura County Naval Base.

 

Arroyo Simi Bike Path

The Arroyo Simi Bike Path is a bike path in Simi Valley that is maintained by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The bike path is open 24/7 except during heavy rains or flooding and covers the 19.7 mile distance from Madera Road just north of Los Angeles Avenue to Yosemite Avenue in east Simi Valley.

 

Sinaloa Golf Course

Sinaloa Golf Course is a 9 hole public golf course in Simi Valley.

 

Sinaloa Lake

Sinaloa Lake is a beautiful lake located in the southwestern area of Simi Valley in Ventura County adjacent to the Sinaloa Golf Course just a few minutes from Thousand Oaks. The lake was originally known as Robertson Lake and later Sinaloa Reservoir. The lake is stocked with Big Mouth Bass, Crappie and other types of fish. The 27-home community known as Sinaloa Lake Estates and the more than one hundred home community known as Hacienda Estates are located at the lake. Boat docks are available to members of the Sinaloa Lake Owners Association which is run by an elected five person board of directors.

 

Arroyo Simi Equestrian Center

The Arroyo Simi Equestrian Center is a nine acre equestrian staging area, with an arena, located in Simi Valley on the north side of the Simi Hills along the Arroyo Simi. It is open to the public. Trails lead to Runkle Canyon and Burro Flats.

 

Simi Hills Golf Course

Simi Hills Golf Course is a public 18 hole regulation length golf course owned and operated by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. It was designed by Ted Robinson and is located at 5031 Alamo Street in Simi Valley.

 

Chumash Park and Trail - Simi Valley

The Chumash Trail is approximately 2.5 miles extending from the northern end of Flanagan Drive to the top of the mountain ridge 1.3 miles north of Rocky Point. Flanagan Drive is the western boundary of Chumash Park which is a natural preserve with beautiful rock formations and caves. The trail is on property owned and maintained by the Rancho Simi Recreation & Park District and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Chumash Park in Simi Valley should not be confused with Chumash Park in Agoura Hills.

 

Long Canyon Trail

Long Canyon Trail, operated by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, consists of 42 acres of open space and approximately 3 miles of trails located at the west end of Simi Valley. There is year round creek shaded by a riparian forest and extensive views of Simi Valley. The trailhead is near the intersection of Wood Ranch Parkway and Long Canyon Road.

 

Lost Canyons Golf Club

Lost Canyons Golf Club is a 36 hole public golf club located in Simi Valley, Ventura County with two unique courses designed by Pete Dye and Fred Couples. The club offers a rustic, ranch-style clubhouse restaurant and banquet room with views of the Santa Monica Mountains.

 

Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center includes a 220 seat main theater, two large art galleries, and a large multipurpose community room with a seating capacity of up to 90 people. While the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center opened in 1995, the Gothic structure was built in the 1920’s and has been Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 67 since 1981. The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center is a non-profit corporation run by the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation. Live performances are scheduled throughout the year.

 

Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Simi Valley

Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Simi Valley, founded in 1995, is a non-profit community theater company that is part of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. Ticket prices are moderate, but the quality of the performances is high. The theater is beautiful.

 

Oak Park Simi Valley

Oak Park Simi Valley is a 100.5 acre open space in Simi Valley, Ventura County, that is surrounded by rolling hills and mature native trees. Wildlife includes roadrunners, raptors, sagebrush lizards, and alligator lizards. The park is located north of Los Angeles Avenue at Quimisa Drive, just east of Moorpark College. Camping and RV camping is permitted.

 

Star Gaze Park - Simi Valley

Star Gaze Park is a 3.25 acre community park in western Simi Valley that is maintained by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The park features a volleyball court, a lighted basketball court, uncovered picnic tables, a pre-teen play area, a tot lot, an equestrian trail, and plenty of shade trees and open space.

 

Bard Reservoir

Bard Lake - Simi Valley

Bard Reservoir, also known as Bard Lake, is a reservoir owned by the Calleguas Water District, and located in Simi Valley near the city line with Thousand Oaks. It was created in 1965 by the construction of an earthen dam, measuring 146 feet high and 1,020 feet wide, on the Arroyo Simi River in Ventura County. The reservoir has fresh drinking water and has a surface of approximately 230 acres.

 

Simi Valley Hospital

Simi Valley Hospital (SVH), founded in 1965, is a 153 bed Seventh-day Adventist hospital located in Simi Valley which is in Ventura County. Simi Valley Hospital is a faith-based hospital founded on the health and wellness principles of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and provides medical care to the communities of Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Thousand Oaks. There are approximately 200 physicians on the staff of the hospital. Services include cancer services, cardiac services, emergency care, maternity, surgical services, intensive care, and more. Simi Valley Hospital is a major employer in Simi Valley and a major asset to the community.

 

Sage Ranch Park

Sage Ranch Park is a 625-acre park and wildlife corridor located in the northwestern Simi Hills in Simi Valley and Ventura County. The park was created in 1980 and is operated by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The park is known for its unique sandstone rock formations, and links the Simi Hills with the Santa Susana Mountains, and the Santa Monica Mountains. From the north side, there are spectacular views of the Simi Hills, the Santa Susana Mountains and far beyond . On a clear day, the Pacific Ocean, the Channel Islands, and the San Gabriel Mountains are visible from the park.

 

Big Sky Park - Simi Valley

Big Sky Park is a community park in Simi Valley that is maintained and operated by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The park features 4 lighted softball diamonds, two shaded bleachers for each field, picnic areas, a half-court basketball court, a pre-teen play area, restrooms, walking paths, trees, and lots of open space. The park is in a beautiful setting with views of the surrounding hills.

 

Rancho Tapo Community Park

Veterans Plaza

Rancho Tapo Community Park is a community park in Simi Valley and home to the Veterans Plaza. The park features an amphitheater, tennis courts, baseball diamond, basketball courts, covered and uncovered picnic tables, barbeques, shuffleboard courts, a water spray play area, tot lot, pre-teen play area, a man-made lake with ducks and geese, restrooms, lots of mature shade trees, and plenty of open space. The park is popular for large and small private events. It is located north of Alamo Street between Tapo Canyon Road and Lemon Drive, near the Simi Valley Police Station and courts.

 

Rancho Madera Community Park

Rancho Madera Community Park in Simi Valley is maintained and operated by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The park features an amphitheater, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, basketball court, volleyball court, soccer field, covered and uncovered picnic tables, barbeques, two children's play areas, restrooms, a hiking trail, and plenty of shade trees and open space.

 

Coyote Hills Park

Coyote Hills Park is a community park in southeast Simi Valley that is owned and maintained by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Parks District. The park features a bridal path, horse corral, tot lot, pre-teen play area, walking paths, covered picnic tables, lots of open space, shade trees, and great views of the surrounding hills.

 

Vista Del Arroyo Park

Vista Del Arroyo Park is a neighborhood park in Simi Valley that is maintained and operated by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The park features a half-court basketball court, covered and uncovered picnic tables, barbeques, two children’s play areas, trees and open space.

 

Challenger Park

Challenger Park in Simi Valley has a 4.1 mile trail available for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There are good views of Simi Valley from the park and there is abundant wildlife.

 

Simi Hills Park

Simi Hills Park is located at the entrance to the Simi Hills Gold Course which is just north of Alamo Street and east of Tapo Street in central Simi Valley. The public park features a fishing pond with ducks, beautiful shade trees, picnic areas, and lots of open space.

 

Hummingbird Trail - Simi Valley

Hummingbird Creek

Hummingbird Trail is located in the 4,800 acre Rocky Peak Park at the base of Rocky Peak in the Santa Susana Mountains in eastern Simi Valley near the Chumash Trail. After crossing Hummingbird Creek, the trail passes giant sandstone boulders, dramatic rock outcroppings, and caves that were once inhabited by the Chumash Indians. The views of the San Fernando Valley and surrounding mountains are worth the climb.

 

Whiteface Mountain

Whiteface Mountain is the highest mountain in Simi Valley, California standing at 2,221 feet. A rough 2.5 mile trail leads to the top where the views of Simi Valley, the San Fernando Valley, and the surrounding mountains are excellent. The hike to the peak of Whiteface Mountain is difficult and not for beginners.

 

Mount McCoy Cross

The Mount McCoy Cross, a twelve foot high white cross, was first erected more than 200 years ago at the peak of Mount McCoy which rises 1,325 feet above Simi Valley at its western end. A trail leads to the top where hikers will enjoy excellent views of the Channel Islands, the Simi Hills, Boney Mountain in the Santa Monica Mountains, Simi Valley, and parts of Moorpark and the Conejo Valley. The trailhead is at Los Amigos Avenue and Washburn Street.

 

Santa Susana Pass

The Santa Susana Pass is a mountain pass in the Simi Hills connecting Chatsworth and the San Fernando Valley to Simi Valley. The pass forms an important wildlife corridor between the Simi Hills to the south and the Santa Susana Mountains to the north. The area contains many scenic sandstone formations and huge boulders that have provided the background for many films. The Santa Susana Pass is the location of the Santa Susana Pass Historic Park consisting of more than 680 acres of open space.

 

Strathern Historical Park and Museum

The Strathern Historical Park and Museum, located in Simi Valley, is owned and maintained by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD) and is operated jointly by the RSRPD and Simi Valley Historical Society. There are several historical buildings to see including an historical church, general store, and many artifacts.

 

Simi Adobe - Strathern House

The Simi Adobe - Strathern House is a Late Victorian historic home in Simi Valley constructed on 585 acres in 1893. The home served as the headquarters of Rancho Simi, one of the land grants made by the Spanish government. The property has been designated a California Historical Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic places.

 

Santa Susana

Santa Susana is a census-designated residential community in Ventura County, located east of Simi Valley, west of Chatsworth and the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park, south of Rocky Peak Park, and north of West Hills. The population is slightly over 1,100.

 

Colony House - Simi Valley

Colony House, built in 1888, is located at the Strathern Historical Park and Museum in Simi Valley adjacent to the Simi Adobe and Strathern House. It is one of twelve kit houses constructed in the 1880s that were intended to form a community to be called Simiopolis. Only one other kit house survives. The Colony House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

 

Santa Susana Depot

The Santa Susana Depot is an historic train station, located in Simi Valley, that opened in 1903. Southern Pacific closed the station in 1970, and shortly thereafter, it was purchased by Ventura County for $1.06. The county designated the building an historic landmark in 1976. A non-profit was formed to restore the property and it was opened as a railroad museum in 2000. It is operated by the Rancho Simi Parks and Recreation Department.

 

Simi Valley Senior Center

The Simi Valley Senior Center is a 22,000 square foot enrichment and learning center for adults. The center offers classes, excursions, book clubs, art classes, social services, health services, and much more.

 

Simi Valley Adult School (SVAS)

Simi Valley Adult School and Career Institute, established in 1936, is the adult education division of the Simi Valley Unified School District. Students can learn a new career, upgrade skills for an existing career, learn English, improve English skills, and more. SVAS offers more than 50 certificate and vocational license programs.

 

Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce

The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce serves its member businesses in Simi Valley and the surrounding communities, including Moorpark, Thousand Oaks and Chatsworth.

 

Nottingham Festival

The Simi Valley Nottingham Festival is an annual “Renaissance Festival” that portrays a village market festival in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The annual festival features booths selling arts and crafts, all types of food, and more. There are also games and multiple stages offering great entertainment. The event supports the Simi Valley Cultural Association and is sponsored by local Ventura County businesses.

 

Gypsy Players - Gypsy Productions

Gypsy Production presents unique dinner entertainment events in Simi Valley, Palmdale, and Thousand Oaks. Each dinner involves the audience participating in an interactive murder mystery dinner theater event.

 

Chivo Canyon - Las Llajas Canyon

The trailhead to the Chivo Canyon – Las Llajas Canyon hiking trail can be reached by taking the Yosemite exit from Highway 118 in Simi Valley and then driving 1.9 miles to Westwood Street and then turning right. The trail provides spectacular views of Simi Valley and the surrounding Simi Hills.