You’re driving up a winding hill in Simi Valley, and suddenly, the brush clears. There it is. The Simi Valley Reagan Museum—officially the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library—sitting on a mountaintop like some kind of Spanish Mission fortress. It’s a bit surreal. Honestly, even if you aren't a political junkie, the scale of the place is kind of intense. It’s not just a bunch of dusty papers in glass boxes. It’s a 243,000-square-foot experience that somehow feels both like a Hollywood set and a high-stakes war room.
Most people come for the plane. We'll get to that. But there is a weird, quiet energy at this site that you don't really find at other presidential libraries. Maybe it’s the view. From the back patio, you can see all the way to the Pacific on a clear day. Or maybe it’s the fact that you’re standing over the final resting place of the 40th President and First Lady Nancy Reagan.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Experience
People think they’ll breeze through in an hour. Big mistake. You’ve got to give it at least three or four. If you’re a history nerd, maybe the whole day.
Right now, in early 2026, the museum is leaning hard into the "America 250" celebrations. It’s the lead-up to the United States Semiquincentennial, and the National Archives has basically raided its own vaults. They’ve moved over 30 massive documents and artifacts from Washington D.C. to Simi Valley. We’re talking original records that rarely leave the capital.
The main draw this season, though, is the "Cowboys: History and Hollywood" exhibit. It’s running through April 19, 2026. It’s a perfect fit for Reagan, given his "Dutch" persona and those years spent on horseback in films. You’ll see Clint Eastwood’s costumes and John Wayne’s gear, but the real star is an authentic 19th-century chuckwagon. Finding a real one that hasn't rotted away is apparently a nightmare for curators.
The Flying White House: Air Force One 27000
Let’s talk about the Air Force One Pavilion. It’s the heart of the Simi Valley Reagan Museum and for good reason. You aren’t just looking at a plane from behind a rope. You’re walking through it.
This specific Boeing 707 (tail number 27000) served seven presidents. Nixon used it. So did Ford, Carter, both Bushes, and Clinton. But Reagan lived on this thing. He logged over 660,000 miles on this exact bird.
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Walking through the fuselage is a trip. It’s surprisingly cramped. The "80s-ness" of it all is everywhere—rotary phones, velour-ish seats, and those tiny mid-century galley kitchens. There’s a jar of Jelly Belly beans on the desk, of course.
Pro Tip: Look for the Marine One helicopter while you’re in the pavilion. It’s the one that flew President Johnson. It’s parked right underneath the nose of the 707.
Stepping Into the Oval Office
They built a full-scale replica of the Oval Office here. Every president’s library has one, but this one feels particularly "lived in." The curators matched the exact colors Reagan used—lots of warm earth tones and California light.
You’ll notice the bronzed saddles. He had a thing for those. You can also see the exact height of the desk, which he famously refused to sit behind without a suit jacket on. It’s that kind of detail that makes the Simi Valley Reagan Museum feel less like a textbook and more like a biography.
The tech in the museum has been updated recently too. There’s a "Situation Room Experience" where you can basically play-act a high-stakes crisis. It’s popular with school groups, but honestly, watching adults try to navigate a simulated Cold War standoff is just as entertaining.
The Berlin Wall: A Real Piece of the Iron Curtain
Outside, there’s a massive slab of concrete. It’s an actual piece of the Berlin Wall. It’s tall, gray, and looks completely out of place against the rolling hills of Ventura County.
Standing next to it is heavy. It’s a tangible reminder of that "Tear Down This Wall" speech in 1987. You can still see the graffiti on the West Berlin side. The East Berlin side? Smooth and blank. Because if you were close enough to spray-paint the wall from the East, you were probably getting shot at. That contrast hits harder than any video montage.
Current 2026 Logistics and Ticket Prices
The library isn't cheap, but it's a "one and done" kind of destination. Here is the current breakdown for the 2026 season:
- General Admission: $25.00
- Seniors (62+): $22.00
- Youth (11-17): $18.00
- Kids (3-10): $15.00
- Active Military: Free (but you have to show ID at the desk)
Parking is free, which is a miracle in Southern California. However, the lot fills up fast on weekends. If you arrive after 11:00 AM on a Saturday, you’ll be parking way down the hill and waiting for the shuttle.
Is it Worth the Drive?
Simi Valley is about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles. It’s a haul. But the Simi Valley Reagan Museum is arguably the most impressive of the 13 presidential libraries. It’s the only place where you can eat lunch in an authentic Irish Pub (the Ronald Reagan Pub) that was dismantled in Ballyporeen, Ireland, and shipped here piece by piece.
It’s also where you can see the 1984 presidential limousine. The thing is a tank. It’s part of a motorcade exhibit that includes Secret Service Suburbans that look like they just rolled off the set of an action movie.
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Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Buy tickets online. Seriously. The "Cowboys" exhibit has timed entry during peak hours. Don't risk a sell-out.
- Eat at the Reagan Café early. The line for sandwiches gets brutal around 12:30 PM. The patio views are worth the early lunch.
- Check the weather. It’s Simi Valley. It’s either 65 degrees or 105 degrees. There is no in-between. Bring a hat for the outdoor memorial area.
- Download the audio tour. It’s $7, but it includes Reagan’s own voice narrating parts of the galleries. It adds a layer of "The Great Communicator" vibe that you just don't get from reading the plaques.
- Visit the Memorial. Even if you aren't religious or political, the site where the Reagans are buried is incredibly peaceful. It’s a good spot to decompress before the drive back down the hill.
The museum closes at 5:00 PM daily. They are strict about it. If you want to see the Air Force One Pavilion and the special exhibits, arrive no later than 1:00 PM.