Page 60 - 2024/2025 Travel Guide to CALIFORNIA

SIMI VALLEY
Beyond the Tourist Trail: Insider Tips for Exploring Simi Valley’s Local Delights
SWEEPING VIEWS from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, above; fall festivities at Underwood Family Farms, below; unmatched collection of boards at the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum, bottom.
Simi Valley is made for exploring. Located only minutes from Los Angeles, Simi Valley offers small-town charm full of culture, historic landmarks and inviting landscapes. Here are four insider tips.
Feel Presidential
Head to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the most visited pres- idential library in the United States. Once there, the hilltop location offers soaring valley views of the Santa Monica Moun- tains and the Pacific Ocean. Be sure to tour Air Force One, which was once the official plane of President Reagan (who flew over 660,000 miles in this “Flying White House”) and walk through a replica of Pres- ident Reagan’s Oval Office.
Unique Find: Take a selfie by an actual Berlin Wall remnant set within the Library’s beau- tifully manicured gardens.
Feel Nature
Southern California’s natural beauty shines througheveryinchofSimiValley.Discover unique Hollywood-famous rock formations that morph into a terroir popular for hikers, mountain bikers, and yes, for the slow tourism types who enjoy long picnics. Every entrance to the city is through a greenbelt, nature corridor, or a mountain pass. Unique Find: The city is teeming in trail country. There are over 50 miles of hiking trails, 15+ mountain biking trails, impec-
BY ILONA KAUREMSZKY
cable golf courses (including disc golf!) and 38 parks.
Feel Local
Arts, culture and history abound in Simi Valley. Be sure to catch a unique slice of SoCal history at the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum. Not only will you see the shrine to the world’s largest collection of skateboard memorabilia, but skateboarding fans can tackle the halfpipe inside the building! The Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum honors the cultural icons throughout the decades and is packed with their contribu- tions to skateboarding history and culture. Unique Find: Over 5,000 vintage boards date back to the 1940s.
Feel Family Fun
The opportunity for family fun includes the L.A. Kings Iceoplex Ice Arena where you can rent blades and carve figure eights in the indoor ice rink. Public skating hours make it fun for the whole family and make it a good way to introduce children to this sport. Unique Find: Underwood Family Farms offers a range of activities, including pick- your-own fruits and vegetables, tractor rides, animal encounters and seasonal festivals.
Whether you seek a peaceful escape, outdoor adventures, or simply a place to spend time with family and friends, a visit to Simi Valley is sure to leave visitors with unforgettable memories.
58 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
CHARM,
ADVENTURE,
FUN
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VISIT SIMI VALLEY