Ronald Reagan Presidential Library — Attraction in Simi Valley

Recently visited again for the 3rd time this year! Visit this place and be reminded of a time when the office of the President of the United States was an office that was respected, revered, and a place of integrity, discipline, and honor... Be you Republican, Democrat, or independent. This amazing place allows you to experience a masterfully curated multisensory journey through time showcasing one of our most prolific American presidents and leadership icons. A man and president who was far from perfect, and far from the mythical figure many of my fellow Republican friends believed him to be.

But he was everything we needed him to be when we needed it most... A true leader that set in motion decades of American prosperity without alienating us from the rest of the world's nations... this prosperity came from uniting us with many of the countries around the world, and through that unity, brought about the end of the Cold War... among many other world altering events of the time.

For me, this library did an outstanding job showcasing the man, not the myth...a man whose life's story is so much greater than just the 8 years he spent in office, and it was a rare treat to learn about him and Nancy from the perspective of just being real people, living real lives.

One of the first exibits in the main hall is a series of three hand written essays he'd done in school that recounted events in his life that affected him so profoundly, that they subconsciously charted his life's course. Two were about his foot ball playing and how working as a team made him greater than the sum of his parts, and the third told about the fear and elation he'd experienced in a freak storm that hit him as he rowed a canoe over a lake. Characteristically, this showed within him the value he held in the input of those around him and spoke to his sense of fearlessly succeeding where others feared to tread. He was most certainly one of a kind, and most certainly a President who's actions and deeds inspired a new generation to greatness and personified the America of the 1980s.

The true heart of this place was in learning about Ronald Reagan's full, colorful, and robust life! A life full of overcoming all the obstacles placed in his path, and never shying away from reinvention at a time in American history when heros were born, not invented on Instagram from thin air, and the American dream was possible for all those who worked hard enough for it. It was a true look - back to a time when we as Americans looked up to our presidents as bastions of morality... integrity...guidance...and hope, not just because they held the highest office in the land but because they were heroes that earned it through hard work, perseverance, and a warrior's spirit.

Me, the naive kid who watched Reagan lead a nation through eight years of speeches on TV, being only 3 when he was first elected, and just 11 years old when he left office, I whole heartedly believed in him...trusted him... and looked up to him as both a great man and an even greater US president.

As I grew older and more educated, I learned truths about him and all politicians that I'd never known, nor could even comprehend as an impressionable child. These truths took much of the guilding from my perception of President Reagan, but none from Ronald Reagan, the man. Visiting his library made me wish for the return of a president built from the same stuff as him; a man of integrity who valued the MANY, far more than he did the ONE... while also providing a spectacular view of the valley as I stepped back in time to the '80s, and relieved many of the world shattering events of that time. The tour made me acutely aware that no other man but Reagan could have navigated this great country through all of it!

Our 40th President was destined from childhood to serve this country, not by chance, but by perseverance, hard work, and by grabbing destiny with both hands and holding on tight. His library shares his and Nancy's story with the world and serves as a place to inspire all who step...

The building sits high on a hill in Simi Valley with a breathtaking view of the california mountains. Sometimes they are green but mostly they are a yellow.

The presidential exhibit is long be prepared to do a lot of walking and really take time to take it all in. There are some guided tours and most everyone seems friendly. The docents really have a lot of information although some of them seem a bit nervous, perhaps its the current political state that we are in.

The exhibit takes you from the presidents "humble beginnings" to his days as a spokesperson for General Electric to his Governorship of California his presidency and of course his death.

Some of the exhibits are interactive and although dated are fun.

I am not surprised but very sad that the exhibit pays no mind, homage or reverence to the indigenous people of this land (California) the Native American Holocaust was completely left out. That makes me even more sad that the president really enjoyed the land and even loved riding horses and loved the Sierras according to the exhibit.

Nancy is a bit part of the exhibit on display are her beautiful gowns classy outfits.

A replica of the OVAL OFFICE as it appeared when REAGAN was president is there in full view but no real access.

The exhibits ends with an opportunity to enter AIRFORCE ONE and MARINE ONE, that was the high light for me.

The gift shop is full of some cute knick knacks unfortunate it was all of very poor quality and manufacture in China? After this entire exhibit of making America great again we have a bin of low quality product. It kinda took the Nancy Reagan regal feeling away.

THE TITANIC EXHIBIT. Terrible. There are few artifacts it was mostly a about James Cameron and how he made a movie, it had the feeling of a sales pitch rather than a museum exhibit. I did feel mixing fiction and non fiction was a very poor choice. Would not recommend that exhibit.

Things you should know: Bring Comfortable but cute shoes, Bring your patience theres lots of kids and older people Parking is pentiful and they also offer shuttle service which is clean Its expensive about 30 dollars but that includes parking so it kinda works out, They do offer a student discount and a senior citizen discount for those of you...

A must see place if you're visiting Simi Valley. If you are planning a visit, here are a few tips to consider. Please note, my visit was on Labour day weekend, your experience on other days may vary.

Getting there is very easy and the drive is beautiful. Keep in mind the parking area is limited in space. I got there 10 min after opening (10:10 am) and found a parking spot at the upper parking level. When I left at around 12:30, cars were parked along both sides of the entrance road almost halfway down the hill!

At 10:10 am there was a small line up at the entrance to the museum for ticket purchase, which led out into the courtyard. There was a line for general admission, online ticket ourchases and a member's line. Considering that the folks that had purchased ticket online still had to wait in a line, I could not see the advantage of doing so. My wait was about 15 min to get my ticket. I think they could streamline the entrance process a bit as you have to lineup to get your tickets, lineup to get in the museum, then line up to either enter either the main museum or special exhibit.

Once inside, the various sections are well-laidout, interesting and informative. You get a great sence of who President Regan was, and how his environment help shape him to become President and how world events helped shape and define his Presidency. The replica of the oval office was very fascinating.

Unlike other large museums, I would say this museum is intimate and very easy to navigate around. The aircraft display is simply amazing. Although I did not visit the cafeteria, it seemed to be a great place to have a snack or lunch. The grounds outsude and views of the vally bellow are simply breathtaking.

Although I did get a speaker wand at the entrance for an extra $7, I found myself not using it much as the displays provided adequate information.

A great destination for the whole family....