The first thing you are probably asking is, "How is that pronounced?" Actually it is easy ... "see-me".  Originally inhabited by the Chumash Indians, it is believed that the name of the Chumash Indian Village, "Shimiji", is the origin of the word "Simi".  Simi Valley means Pleasant Valley.  Many say it means Windy Valley and we do get bad winds at times.

When I was a little girl, Simi was out in the country.  It was farm and ranch land with many orange, lemon, and avocado orchards, but there was a movie ranch in the Simi Hills.  I remember taking Sunday afternoon drives to visit "Corriganville", where many old western movies were filmed ... do you remember "The Lone Ranger", "Zorro", "Wild Bill Hickcock", "Annie Oakley", "Wyatt Earp"?  They were all filmed at Corriganville.

The Lone Ranger	The Lawman	Annie Oakley

Today the movie ranch is gone, but Corriganville remains as an area frequented by hikers and cyclists.

The Little House Homestead

Walnut Grove Church/School

Simi Valley is not just known for it's movie ranches.   The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is also located here.  If you have read All About Cathy then you know that for a time I worked there as a Docent, and have had the privilege of meeting President Reagan, Mrs. Reagan and two of the Reagan children.  For more local history, visit The Strathearn Historical Park and Museum or The Santa Susanna Railroad Historical Society.

Each year the Cajun Creole Festival is held on Memorial Day weekend and in September Simi Valley Days is celebrated with a parade, carnival, chilli cook-off, horse show and other local events.

Pictures from the 2001 Simi Valley Days Parade

Our children are educated in the 20 elementary schools, 3 middles schools, 3 high schhols, and an Adult Education School, all of which are under the Simi Valley Unified School District.  There are numerous churches (of course I attencd the best in town! - Calvary Baptist Church).   Our local newspaper is the Ventura County Star - Simi Valley Edition. There is just one hospital here, Simi Valley Hospital.

Although Simi Valley is relatively small (38.9 sq. miles), it is a family oriented community and home to over 100,000 residents.  Even with it's size, it has maintained a small town atmosphere, and is quite proud to continually rank in the top 10 of America's Safest Cities.

The City of Simi Valley was incorporated in 1969.  It is located between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, at an elevation of 700-1000 feet above sea level.  We have fairly moderate weather, although in the summer temperatures can reach 100+ degrees, and yes there are those winds prevailing from the southwest with an average wind speed of 7-11 mph.  The average annual rainfall is 13.60 inches per year.

The city flower is the California Wild Rose (The Chumash Indians ate vitamin-rich rosehips).  The city tree is the Coast Live Oak (The Chumash Indians used the acorns from this tree for food).

California Wild Rose

Coast Live Oak

Simi is only an hours drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and a 30-minute drive from the Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena Airport.  Some nearby attractions are:   Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles Zoo, Universal Studios, The Hollywood Bowl, and Dodger Stadium.

I hope you have enjoyed your tour of my hometown.  As you can see it is really a very nice place to live, work and raise a family.