Simi Valley Things to Do

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and museum. The library was dedicated by five American presidents in 1991. The library holds extensive archives of the presidential history of the United States: documents and photographs that hold both patriotic and sentimental value. I was honored to have visited this library not too long after the death of Ronald Reagan. After his death on June 5, 2004, President Ronald Reagan was buried at the Reagan Presidential Library on June 11, 2004. The Memorial Site inscription on his tombstone reads: "I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and there is purpose and worth to each and every life." - Ronald Reagan-

A piece of the Berlin wall stands in the compound of the library: This piece of the Berlin Wall was presented to President Ronald Reagan on April 12, 1990 at the Reagan Presidential Library. The Wall serves as an entryway to the White House South Lawn that provides the visitor with dramatic vistas out to the Pacific Ocean. Inside the library also is a Cold War Gallery, which I found very interesting to tour being that I was a student of European history and spend a whole year at University studying the cold war and its effects on economies of different countries. This was a very captivating way of revisiting my cold war education and the Berlin Wall. From the top of the hill, the view is priceless. Only fifty minutes from down town Los Angeles and the picturesque hill top that attracts tourists by the thousands.

At the main entrance stands the presidential car that President Ronald Reagan used while he was in the white house, I think it was a Lincoln, I do not recall all the details now. There is a gift shop at the library that has all kinds of presidential souvenirs including photos of Ronald Reagan while he was president, presidential sealed cups, coffee mugs, glasses, key holders, post cards to mention but a few

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Gosh, I was never so impressed by such a museum other than the ones in DC. Yet, this one wowed me! It's so interesting to see what a president accumulates by given so many gifts by so many dignitaries from all over the world. It was fascinating to see what was put in archives for the public to see. I truly appreciate the time in effort in how the organized the artifacts. My boys just loved seeing and experiencing the exhibits’

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I was in awe struck when I saw this in person and my boys could not wait to touch it and go inside it. They couldn't had designed this exhibit any better than they did. They not only had Air Force one, but all the neat vehicles that assisted the President to and from many destinations. Ronald Regan had hoped he might be able to share this presidential gem with the public someday and it happened Oct 24, 2005.

Air Force One flew President Reagan over 660,000 miles to 26 foreign countries and 46 U.S.states. The Flying White House, tail number 27000, served seven U.S Presidents from 1973 to 2001, including Presidents Nixon, Carter, Ford, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush.

You have to read the info along the walls as you walk towards the entrance of Air Force one. Many interesting facts to learn there. Oh, make sure you go out on the balcony too!

~"And as we liftoff aboard Air Force One…the winds of freedom will be propelling my mission… As I fly westward over our majestic land, I go knowing that we´re witnessing an awakening to those self–evident truths to which our forefathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor."~ Ronald Reagan, April 23, 1986

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Nancy Reagan was to me one of the most elegant first ladies of the white house. -- A First Lady's duty was to serve as hostess and ambassador, public servant, spokesperson and as always the loyal caring wife. Many of the dresses are on display spanning over fifty years. I knew she was tiny, but not this tiny. They all are so lovely. Designs by Geoffrey Beene, Bill Blass, Valentino Garavani, James Galanos, Carolina Herrera, Adolfo Sardina, Yves St. Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Jean Louis and Chanel. I hope it is still here, if not here is a glimpse of what was on display.

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I was impressed with all the wonderful presidential gifts. I had no idea how many these dignitaries probably collect during the presidency. President Regan’s presidency was no exception. He received approximately 100,000 gifts, not including plants, flowers, and items of food or drink. Yet, a president only accepts them on behalf of the United States, so they become the property of the federal government.

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These were his actual presidential limousines and secret service suburban’s now an important part of the museums exhibit of presidential motorcades.

Make sure you checkout the actual Marine One helicopter that flew President Johnson.

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As you walk from the back of the museum to the garden area, you will see a piece of the Berlin Wall. The Wall came down on November 9, 1989. This 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall was donated to the museum on April 12, 1990 with President Regan in attendance.

"Do Soviet leaders want to be remembered for a prison wall, ringed with barbed wire and with armed guards, whose weapons are aimed at their own civilians? Do they want to conduct themselves in a way that will earn only the contempt of free peoples and distrust of their own citizens?" - Ronald Reagan 1982

“There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! " - Ronald Reagan, June 12, 1987

“Let our children and grandchildren come here and see this wall and reflect on what it meant to history. Let them understand that only vigilance and strength will deter tyranny.” - Ronald Reagan

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This is a beautiful memorial is in honor of the passing of our 40th President Ronald Regan on June 5, 2004. President Ronald Reagan was laid to rest at the Reagan Library on June 11, 2004. This memorial is made of granite and has the following inscription:
"I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and there is purpose and worth to each and every life.

He is remembered on his birthday February 6 by United States Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton that places a wreath on President Reagan’s gravesite. Includes patriotic music and a 21-gun salute. This annual event is open to the public and free to attend."

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The White House is the setting for elegant state dinners and other ceremonial events as well as the president’s home. Both the pomp and circumstance and the routine of daily life in the private quarters are represented.

Yet, there is so much more to this wonderful museum. There are many other exhibits of his presidential retreat in Maryland, Camp David, and Rancho del Cielo, the ranch located in Santa Barbara mountains.

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This replica is an actual size of the Ronald Reagan’s Oval Office during his administration and decorated to his American Western taste.

The desk was made from the timbers of the H.M.S. Resolute, an abandoned British ship discovered by an American vessel and returned to the Queen of England as a token of friendship and goodwill, it was commissioned by Queen Victoria and presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880. Called the Resolute Desk, it has been used by every president since Hayes, exception for Presidents Johnson, Nixon and Ford. If you have noticed that the wooden base had to be added by 2” because President Reagan wash 6’2” so this would keep the desk drawers from hitting his knees.

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Represent the period in Regan’s career when he was going to run as Governor and then in the future for President. His speech during a nationally televised speech on behalf of Barry Goldwater’s bid for the White House, his message a “rendezvous with destiny” paved the way for his own political career.

Regan became governor of California in 1966 for two terms. This beautiful 1965 Ford Mustang was used during his first gubernatorial campaign, along with the governors original entryway to the governor’s residence, and his beautiful massive desk from the office in the state capitol recall his days in Sacramento.

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Called “Dutch” during President Reagan’s youth while growing up in Dixon, Illinois, his college days, and a lively career first in radio broadcasting and then in Hollywood come alive through artifacts, images, and audio visual presentations.

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This neat little theatre provides highlight of Ronald Wilson Reagan’s life from his childhood through the opening of the Library and Museum. The video clips and the president’s personal recollections introduce the exhibits that follow. As you can see, my son Nate just loves movies, so he actually sat for sometime watching the video clips.

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This wonderful gallery is called the John P. McGovern, M.D. Gallery of Presidents. It illustrates some of the history of the American presidency from George Washington to now. The portraits are only reproductions from the White House Historical Association, political campaign material, and significant documents such as a rare 1823 copy of the Declaration of Independence.

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Rocky Peak Fire Road leads deep into the hills with a lot of excellent views. It later joins up with other fire roads, so if for some reason you wanted to, you could probably keep walking and cross a significant section of California. The road is pretty wide, but you can't drive on it. People generally walk or bike, and I've seen some masochists jogging. You'll probably run into several people at the start of the road, but if you keep going, the human presence all but disappears. The highest point I've noticed on the road is 1,088 feet higher than the parking area at the entrance, and 1,623 feet above the Simi Valley floor.

Oh, yeah. Besides the impressive wildlife (one hawk flew so close by me that I ducked), there are some pretty flowers growing in the area, some naturally organized into "bouquets." Picking these is strictly forbidden, and there's a fine if you do. Being serious, there's generally nobody around you, so you probably wouldn't get caught, but come on. If you're taking this hike, you're almost certainly a nature lover. Don't destory it.

Parking the car is, I think, $3.