Simi Valley, CA Properties | Jennifer Walter

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Simi Valley is a city in the southeast corner of Ventura County, California, about 40 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The city occupies a broad valley enclosed by the Santa Susana Mountains to the north and the Simi Hills to the south, and its name echoes the Chumash word for the region. Once a ranching and agricultural area, Simi Valley grew into one of Ventura County's largest suburban cities during the late twentieth century. Simi Valley is perhaps best known nationally as the home of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, which sits on a hilltop overlooking the valley and serves as the burial site of President Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan. The library is the city's signature landmark and a major visitor destination for the region. The city has a population of roughly 126,000 and is organized around a mix of established neighborhoods, newer master-planned communities, and commercial corridors. State Route 118, the Ronald Reagan Freeway, runs through the city and carries commuters toward Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, while Metrolink's Ventura County Line provides rail service into the Los Angeles area from Simi Valley's station. Simi Valley offers a quieter, family-oriented alternative to Los Angeles, with a strong public school system, an extensive network of parks and open space, and the Arroyo Simi bike path threading through the valley. The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District maintains parks, trails, and community centers that anchor local recreation. Residents balance suburban living with access to the employment centers of the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, and western Ventura County. The city's valley setting, hillside open space, and distance from the coast give it a distinct inland California character, appealing to commuters, families, and those seeking more space than the Los Angeles basin typically offers.

Population 126,356

County Ventura County

Active Listings 520

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Simi Valley in?

Simi Valley is in the southeast corner of Ventura County, California, about 40 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. It sits in a valley framed by the Santa Susana Mountains to the north and the Simi Hills to the south.

Where is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library?

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is located in Simi Valley, on a hilltop overlooking the city at 40 Presidential Drive. It serves as the presidential library and burial site of President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan.

What school district serves Simi Valley?

How do people commute from Simi Valley to Los Angeles?

Commuters travel between Simi Valley and the Los Angeles area via State Route 118, the Ronald Reagan Freeway, and Metrolink's Ventura County Line, which stops in the city and provides rail service to the San Fernando Valley and downtown Los Angeles.

City Guide

About Simi Valley

Real Estate & Housing

Simi Valley's housing stock is predominantly single-family and suburban, built out in waves from the mid-twentieth century onward. The city offers established ranch-style and traditional homes in older neighborhoods, larger hillside and view properties along the valley's edges, and newer master-planned communities with contemporary homes and community amenities. Townhomes and apartments cluster near commercial corridors and the Metrolink station. Compared with the Los Angeles basin, the city generally provides larger lots and a more open, planned suburban pattern, with many neighborhoods arranged around parks, schools, and the valley's network of trails.

Neighborhoods

Simi Valley's neighborhoods span several eras of suburban development. Established areas near the city's center offer mid-century ranch homes on tree-lined streets, while the western side of the city and newer sections include larger contemporary homes and master-planned communities. Hillside and view neighborhoods line the Simi Hills and Santa Susana foothills, appealing to buyers seeking scenery and space. Commercial districts along Los Angeles Avenue and the 118 corridor anchor shopping and services, and the city's many parks and trail connections give most neighborhoods convenient access to open space.

Lifestyle in Simi Valley

Simi Valley offers a quieter, family-centered lifestyle compared with the Los Angeles basin. The city's parks, community centers, and the Arroyo Simi bike path support an active, outdoor-oriented routine, while neighborhood shopping centers and local restaurants handle everyday needs. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library anchors the city's cultural identity and draws visitors. Residents reach the entertainment, dining, and employment of the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles by freeway or Metrolink, but the city's pace remains distinctly suburban, oriented toward schools, youth sports, and the valley's open space.

Schools & Education

Simi Valley is served by Simi Valley Unified School District, which operates 18 elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools, along with an adult school and early-learning programs. The district is a central institution in the community, with campuses distributed across the city's neighborhoods. Families moving to Simi Valley generally attend schools within this single district, with attendance zones tied to residence, and a number of private schools supplement the public system. The city's schools anchor its reputation as a family-oriented community.

Getting Around

Simi Valley's principal transportation corridor is State Route 118, the Ronald Reagan Freeway, which runs east-west through the city and connects to the San Fernando Valley and the broader Los Angeles freeway network. Metrolink's Ventura County Line stops in Simi Valley, offering commuter rail service into downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, with bus connections serving the station. Commutes to Los Angeles-area job centers generally rely on the 118 freeway or rail. Within the city, a local bus system and a growing network of bike paths, including the Arroyo Simi bike path, provide alternatives to driving for shorter trips.

Parks & Recreation

Simi Valley's recreation is anchored by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, which maintains a network of parks, community centers, trails, and sports facilities across the city. The Arroyo Simi bike path runs through the valley, connecting neighborhoods and open space, and the surrounding Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains offer hiking with views over the region. Neighborhood parks provide playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas, while the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library's hilltop grounds add a cultural and scenic destination. The city's open-space network makes outdoor activity a routine part of daily life.

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