7 Historic Places to Visit in Simi Valley

History lives here. And it’s waiting to be explored.

If you’re planning a visit to Simi Valley and love discovering the stories behind a destination, you’re in the right place. From presidential legacies and preserved pioneer homesteads to railroad relics, movie backdrops, and mining remnants tucked into scenic trails, Simi Valley offers a rich mix of experiences that connect you to the past.

Classic Museums & Preserved Sites

1. Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

Set on a hilltop overlooking the valley, the Reagan Library houses more than 125,000 square feet of exhibits and millions of presidential documents, photographs, and artifacts spanning Ronald Reagan’s life and two terms in office. The highlight for many visitors is the Air Force One Pavilion, where you can walk through the actual Boeing 707 used during his presidency. Inside the galleries, you’ll find a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, a preserved section of the Berlin Wall, and detailed exhibits on Cold War policy, the Secret Service, and major moments of the 1980s.

Rotating special exhibitions add depth, often pairing historical artifacts with cultural context.

2. Strathearn Historical Park & Museum

This 6½-acre historic park gathers several of Simi Valley’s oldest structures in one walkable setting. The Simi Adobe–Strathearn House anchors the site, built in the 1890s on land tied to a former Spanish land grant. Guided tours include the Victorian-era Strathearn residence, Ventura County’s first library building, early Colony Houses from the late 1880s, and St. Rose of Lima Church. Period furnishings and agricultural tools offer a close look at daily life during the valley’s ranching years.

3. Santa Susana Depot Museum

Constructed in 1903 by the Southern Pacific Railroad, this restored depot once combined a ticket office, waiting room, and upstairs living quarters for the station agent. Today, the Santa Susana Depot Museum features historic photographs, railroad equipment, and artifacts that illustrate how passenger trains and crop shipments connected Simi Valley to the broader region in the early 20th century. The museum is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday, except major holidays, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

4. Skateboarding Hall of Fame

Historic Outdoor Landmarks & Trails

5. Corriganville Park

Once a bustling movie ranch, Corriganville Park was created in the 1930s by actor Ray “Crash” Corrigan and became a prime filming location for Westerns, serials, and TV shows. The park’s rocky terrain, narrow canyons, and winding dirt trails served as backdrops for gunfights, cattle drives, and horseback stunts. Today, hikers can trace the original film sets, including the ruins of Silvertown, old corrals, and log cabins, all marked with interpretive signs. Walking the trails, you can almost hear the echo of hooves and cinematic shootouts that made Corriganville a cornerstone of Hollywood history.

6. Mount McCoy

Mount McCoy rises above the valley floor, crowned by its iconic white cross, first installed in 1813 and rebuilt several times since. The moderate trails pass oak-studded slopes before opening to sweeping views of Simi Valley and the Santa Susana Mountains. The summit connects hikers to centuries of history — from Native American use to Spanish settlers and 19th-century ranching — all set against a backdrop of panoramic natural beauty.

7. Coquina Mine Trail

The Coquina Mine Trail blends hiking with history, winding through ridges and shaded canyons while revealing remnants of early 20th-century mining operations. Rusted drill bits, stone foundations, and tailing piles tell the story of coquina extraction, giving hikers a tangible connection to the valley’s industrial past. The trail encourages both exploration and imagination, offering a sense of what life was like for the miners who once worked these hills.

Simi Valley isn’t just a stop along the way — it’s a place where history lives in buildings, trails, and even the hills themselves. Whether you’re walking through a presidential library, exploring pioneer homes, or hiking past old mining equipment, every corner tells a story.