Simi Valley is in Ventura County in Southern California. There isn't much in this Los Angeles suburb but it's possible to drive to many destinations in Southern California within an hour such as Disneyland, Hollywood and Downtown LA.
Understand
Get in
Simi Valley is mainly accessible by automobile. Simi Valley's main artery, the 118 Freeway (Ronald Reagan Freeway), can be accessed by Interstate 5, Interstate 405, and the 210 Freeway in the east and by the 23 Freeway in the west. The 23 Freeway connects to the 101 Freeway. Alternates to the freeways provide access to Highway 126 in Santa Paula and Ventura.
Airports in close proximity to Simi Valley are Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX) and Hollywood Burbank Airport in Burbank (IATA: BUR). There are several small airports in the area that welcome private or charter flights.
Simi Valley is accessible by train through Amtrak's Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink's Ventura County Line.
- Simi Valley railway station, 5050 E Los Angeles Ave. 2020-11-21
Get around
Although Simi Valley has a bus system, the primary transportation by the city's residents is by automobile. Bicycling is gaining in popularity as the city is committed to installing more bicycle lanes and bicycle parking. Walking, although safe, is not recommended for more than a short stroll. Distances can seem deceptively small, but map your distance if you're planning on walking or cycling from point to point.
- Simi Valley Transit, 490 West Los Angeles Avenue., +1 805 583-6456. No smoking, eating, drinking or radios allowed on the buses. Fare is $1.25 per trip. Tickets can be purchased onboard but exact fare is required as drivers are unable to make change. Stops are approximately 1/4 to 1/2 mile apart.
See
- Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, 40 Presidential Dr, 34.259516666667°, -118.81974444444°. Su Sa 10AM to 5PM. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. This is a must see for any travelers stopping by in Simi Valley. Admission: $12.
- Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave, +1 805 583-7900. This gothic building was first a family home, then a church, then a mortuary and is now a historical landmark. The building now houses a theatre for live plays. Admission: $20.
- Corriganville Park, 34.266667°, -118.649167°. The Old Corriganville Movie Ranch with historic buildings was the site of many western films. Park also has a two-mile trail loop.
- Mt McCoy, 34.262531°, -118.804389°. Usually known as "the hill with the cross on top of it," it's visible from Madera Road. Hiking trail is approximately two miles long but can be difficult. Wear long pants and snake boots. 2020-11-16
- Santa Susanna Railroad Depot, 6503 Katherine Rd. Restored 1903 train depot now holds a small museum and a working model train layout.
- Strathearn Historical Park, 137 Strathearn Pl, +1 805 526-6453. Tu-F 9AM-2PM; tours W 1PM, Sa Su 1-4PM. Buildings and artifacts from Simi Valley's pioneer history.
- Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village (Bottle Village), 4595 Cochran St, 34.27948°, -118.70467°, PreserveBV@gmail.com. Once home of Tressa Prisbrey created from recyclable items from a local landfill, now a California Historical Landmark. 2020-11-16
Do
- Arroyo Simi Bike Path. Metrolink Station to Madera Road. Seven miles of paved bikepath with trees, flowers and a stream. Also suitable for walking.
- Arroyo Simi Equestrian Trail. Equestrian Center to Tierra Practice Rejada Park. Four miles of dirt pathway, away from the street, complemented by trees and flowers.
- Challenger Park. Open through permit only (contact the park service). Two miles of hiking trail. Oak groves and a stream.
- Chumash Park and Trail. 2½-mile hiking trail overlooking Native American rock shelters.
- Hummingbird Creek. 3-mile hiking trail with hills and wildlife.
- Rancho Simi Trailblazers. Local hiking group that conducts a variety of hikes on a regular schedule.
- Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Ave, 34.265556°, -118.763333°. Swimming pool, tennis, basketball, softball, volleyball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, covered picnic area, barbeques, playgrounds. A stream leads down to a lagoon stocked with fish. Site of the Annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby. Be careful feeding the ducks.
- Rancho Tapo Community Park, 3700 Avenida Simi. Basketball, softball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, covered picnic area, barbeques, playgrounds. A very nice dirt walking path. Simi Valley's Veteran's Plaza.
- Cajun, Creole Music Festival. Rancho Santa Susanna Community Park. Memorial Day Weekend. Annual festival celebrating all things Cajun. Check website for parking details.
- Sinaloa Golf Course, 980 Madera Rd, 34.25653°, -118.79664°, +1 805 581-2662. Public course, 9 hole, par 3. Driving range, practice green and pro shop. Admission $9.50 weekdays, $11.50 weekends
- Simi Hills Golf Course, 5031 Alamo St, +1 805 522-0803. Public course, 18 hole, par 71. Driving range, practice green and pro shop. Very nice for a public course.
Buy
- Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Way, 34.28479°, -118.77006°. This open air mall opened in 2005 and is located between two off-ramps on the 118 Freeway (Erringer and First Street).
Eat
-
The East Coast Pizza Company, 2667-F Tapo Canyon Rd (off the 118 & Tapo Canyon), +1 805-520-3500. 11AM-9PM. Pizza by the slice, whole pies, calzones, strombolis, cannoli.
-
Red's BBQ & Grillery, 3090-A1 Cochran St (corner of Cochran and Galena), +1 805 581-9076. Red's is very popular so expect a wait if you're going for dinner on Friday or Saturday night. Don't miss the ribs or the baked potatoes (caution: baked potatoes are huge). Take out menu available..
-
Pizzatopia, 2345 Erringer Road #100, +1 805 526-7000. Su - Th 11AM - 8PM, F Sa 11AM - 9PM. All you can eat pizza/salad/dessert bar with all you can drink soday. $6.99/lunch and $7.93/dinner
-
Greek House Cafe, 2375 Sycamore Dr, +1 805 955-9899. M 11AM - 2:45PM, Tu - F 11AM - 8:45PM, Sa noon - 8:45PM.
-
Vincenzo's Pizza, 2955 A-1 Cochran St (Target Shopping Center), +1 805 579-9662. Hands down the best pizza in Simi Valley. Largest pizza is 28 inches very good for parties. Order early delivery can take 45 minutes.
-
Dakota's The Great Steak House, 1555 Simi Town Center Drive #565, +1 805 582-1700. Upscale steakhouse. Reservations can be made online. Portions are very large. Dinner can get pricey.
-
Campos Famous Burritos, 2149 Tapo St, +1 805 522-8590. Don't be put off by the decor, the food is excellent. Very popular with the lunch crowd. Very affordable.
-
Palermo Pizzeria & Restaurant, 2110 Tapo St, +1 805 526-3637. Old school Italian restaurant with what is probably the original decor. Order the family meal, it is the best deal in town.
-
La Louisianne Express, 1854 Cochran St (behind Chevron station), +1 805 582-2026. Lunch Tu - Sa, dinner Tu - Su. Closed Monday. Cajun/Creole restaurant tucked into a strip mall behind the Chevron station. Excellent food.
-
Eggs N Things, 2955 Cochran Street, Suite A2 (Target Shopping Center), +1 805 527-0055. Open for breakfast and lunch. This is where Simi Valley eats breakfast. Check for the specials on the front board. On weekends, go early or be prepared for a long wait.
-
Olivio's Trattoria, 585 E Los Angeles Ave (On Los Angeles between First St and Madera. On North side of Los Angeles Ave.), +1 805 791-3705. Fine Italian food. Great for dinner.
Drink
- Snooky's, 2050 Donville Ave (behind Los Angeles Avenue A&W fast food restaurant), +1 805 583-8149. Snookies is the only bikini bar in Simi Valley.
Sleep
- Holiday Inn Express, 2550 Erringer Rd (118 Freeway at Erringer), +1 805 584-6006. All rooms come with free breakfast. Book in advance, prices can go up steeply. $79 – $129
- Courtyard Ventura - Simi Valley, 191 Cochran St (118 Freeway at Madera), +1 805 526-3480. One of the newer hotels in Simi Valley, had nice rooms and amenities. $99 – 199
- Motel 6, 2566 North Erringer Rd (118 Freeway at Erringer), +1 805 526-3533. Standard lodging at an inexpensive price. Rates remain low even if booked at the last moment. $78
- Extended Stay America, 2498 Stearns St (118 Freeway at Stearns), +1 805 584-8880. Rooms include a kitchenette. Pet allowed with fee. $99 – 109
- Best Western Posada Royale Hotel & Suites, 1775 Madera Rd (south of Los Angeles Avenue). Posada Royale is affiliated with Best Western. Hotel is a bit out of the way. $119 – 500
- Grand Vista Hotel, 999 Enchanted Way (118 Freeway at First Street), +1 805 583-2000. Although the decor of this hotel could be updated, the proximity to the Simi Valley Town Center can not be beaten. $99 – 160
Go next
- Fillmore & Western Railway Co., 351 Santa Clara Street, +1 805 524-2546. Fillmore. This historic railroad has been restored and now offers themed excursions for holidays, parties or simply dinner. Price varies widely depending on excursion.
- Ventura - Located on the coast 30 miles west of Simi Valley, Ventura is home to many interesting shops, the historic Mission San Buenaventura, and is the gateway for excursions to the Channel Islands National Park.