5 Cultural & Historic Treasures in Simi Valley

Simi Valley visitors are constantly exploring. The area is known for its great golf courses, amazing hiking trails, and family-centered activities. What many people don’t know is that Simi Valley is also rich in history. A number of museums give visitors a chance to step back in time and see just how different the world is today.

If you’re planning a trip to Simi Valley, be sure to add these five museums to your list of must-see attractions:

1. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

One of the most impressive and popular historic stops in SoCal is located right in Simi Valley, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.

Sitting on a hilltop, the museum offers breathtaking views, stunning exhibits, and an archive full of presidential records from Regan’s administration. Walk on board the retired Air Force One aircraft, tour a full-size replica of the Oval Office, and visit one of the renowned exhibits on display.

General admission is $29.95. Tickets can be purchased online in advance. The museum is open daily from 10am-5pm.

2. Strathearn Historical Park and Museum

Step into history by touring historic buildings spread across the Strathearn Historical Park and Museum. The six-acre park in Simi Valley offers tours that showcase an old church that dates back to 1902, a library, two barns, the Banaga Barbershop, and more.

Tours Wednesday-Sunday. A $3 donation is requested per visitor.

3. Santa Susana Depot Museum and Model Railroad

Take a guided tour of a historic Southern Pacific depot during your trip to Simi Valley. Visitors will learn about the day-to-day operations of Santa Susana Depot and see telegraphs and phones stationed inside that served as the city’s communication hub.

The depot is also home to a model railroad with an impressive level of detail and a number of trains zipping over tracks. The museum has limited hours of operation. It’s only open on the weekends from 1pm-4pm.

4.  Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum

Boarders and fans won’t want to miss the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum. Simi Valley is home to a unique skateboarding museum that pays tribute to the sport’s history with more than 5,000 vintage skateboards on the wall and decades of curated memorabilia.

After touring the museum, take a ride on the halfpipe that’s inside the 10,000 sq. ft. building. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday. Weekdays it’s open from 2pm-9pm. Saturday it’s open from 10am-3pm and Sunday it’s open from 11am-7pm.

5. Military History Museum

Tucked inside the Simi Valley Town Center is a small museum that shouldn’t be missed. The Military History Museum, run by the local VFW, offers hundreds of military posters, uniforms, artifacts, weapons, munitions, and gear from all eras. Special tours are available upon request, but it’s mostly a self-guided tour around different exhibits.

The museum is open on the weekends between 11am-4pm and also on Wednesday from 12pm-3pm.

Simi Valley has a lot to offer visitors. If you’re planning a trip in or around Los Angeles, spend a few days in Simi Valley. Enjoy the city’s laid-back atmosphere, take a relaxing walk through the valley’s trails, and learn about the area’s history at these unique museums.