Page 60 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to California

SIMI VALLEY
Beyond the Tourist Trail: Insider Tips for Exploring Simi Valley’s Local Delights
B Y I L O N A K A U R E M S Z K Y
CHARM,
ADVENTURE,
FUN
VISIT SIMI VALLEY
SIMI VALLEY CHAMBER
TOURISM ALLIANCE
VisitSimiValley.com
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
through every inch of Simi Valley. 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-
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
VISIT SIMI VALLEY